Lesson 10
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, we pray for You to unlock Holy Scripture for our understanding into the mystery of Your second coming. Correct, convict, train, teach, transform, and renew us in righteousness, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
2 Thessalonians 3: 1-18, prayer, injunction, doxology, benediction.
VV 1-2, 1 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you, 2 and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have faith.
Finally, Paul and his co-workers requested prayer from his audience, for the gospel to be communicated speedily and for protection against unreasonable and wicked people.
VV 3-5, 3 But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one. 4 And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, both that you do and will do the things we command you. 5 Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ.
Paul prayed for the Lord to establish them in the faith and protect them from the evil one. Paul prayed for the Lord to direct their hearts into the love of God and the patience of Christ.
VV 6-9, 6 But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us. 7 For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you; 8 nor did we eat anyone’s bread free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, 9 not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us.
Paul commanded them to withdraw fellowship from disruptive and disorderly people. Paul reminded them that they did not take advantage of their kindness over money matters. Paul and his co-workers but supported themselves financially by working day and night.
VV 10-12, 10 For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. 11 For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. 12 Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread.
Paul commanded those who were lazy to work and be self-sufficient. Paul rebuked those who were disruptive, disorderly, lazy, jobless, and busy interfering with other people’s business. Paul commanded these people to get a job, earn a living, be self-sufficient, and mind their own business.
VV 13-15, 13 But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good. 14 And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed. 15 Yet do not count him as an enemy but admonish him as a brother.
Paul commanded them to do good to others and withdraw fellowship from those who were disobedient to his teachings but not to the extent of ex-communication.
VV 16-18, 16 Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all. 17 The salutation of Paul with my own hand, which is a sign in every epistle; so I write. 18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
In his closing doxology and benediction, Paul prayed for the Thessalonian Christians to experience the peace and presence of the Lord. Paul confirmed writing this epistle with his own handwriting. He pronounced a blessing of grace to them.
Application:
Paul’s prayers and injunctions to his audience also apply to us. We are not to be disruptive, disorderly, lazy, or busybodies. We are to be gainfully employed, self-sufficient, and mind our own business.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us insight into Holy Scripture. Thank You for unlocking difficult and controversial passages for us. Thank You for journeying with us through Paul’s epistle into 1 and 2 Thessalonians. Thank You for the blessings, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
