Thought On This Chapter
2THESS 3:1 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the
word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:
2THESS 3:2 And that we may be delivered from
unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith.
Paul is asking this church to pray for them. And
he has a specific request here. It is a prayer for the work. He asks
that they pray for the word of the Lord to have free course. Paul's desire
was for the word of God to work in the hearts of men. Second, Paul asks
for them to pray for their protection from the wicked as they go about doing the
work of the Lord.
Paul did not ask them to pray for the work just to fill
up empty space in his letter. Paul asked them to pray for the work because
Paul understood that God answers prayer. The amount of eternal results in
our work for the Lord depends upon prayer. Paul understood the principal
that God is honored by us asking and God is glorified by the answering.
God has ordained that we should have a part in His work thru prayer.
How much have you prayed for your missionaries this
week?
Thought On This Chapter
2THESS 3:8 Neither did we eat any man's bread for
nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be
chargeable to any of you:
Paul and those with them were workers. They did
not eat their bread for nothing. They worked for it. Preachers who
are in the ministry full time still work. Preaching and Pastoring the way
a man should is a lot of work.
2THESS 3:9 Not because we have not power, but to make
ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.
They wanted to be a good example to these Christians.
They not only told them to work but they showed them how to do it. Now
look at verse 10.
2THESS 3:10 For even when we were with you, this we
commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.
The formula is this: you don't work then you
don't eat. God does not advocate laziness. Say you know a well abled
person. Someone who is quite able to work, but they refuse. Then
they come looking for a handout. Some might think it harsh, but don't give
them a thing. If he wants to eat, then let him work.
Now you need to use a little common sense here.
This verse is not talking about those that can't work because of some serious
health problem. It is not talking about those on life support. It is
not even talking about those who want to work and are desperately looking for a
job. This does not apply to men who would do any work they can get.
We are to help the poor. Have some compassion on those who are
legitimately having a hard time. This is talking about those who do not
work because they don't want to. And for the sluggard the Bible says you
don't work, then you don't eat. Man was made to work. Even before
the fall of man, Adam had a job in the Garden of Eden (Gen 2:15).
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King James Bible Main Index:
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2
Thessalonians 3 |
[1]
[2]
[3]
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2THESS 3:1 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:
2THESS 3:2 And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith.
2THESS 3:3 But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.
2THESS 3:4 And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command you.
2THESS 3:5 And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.
2THESS 3:6 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.
2THESS 3:7 For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;
2THESS 3:8 Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you:
2THESS 3:9 Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.
2THESS 3:10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.
2THESS 3:11 For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.
2THESS 3:12 Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.
2THESS 3:13 But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.
2THESS 3:14 And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.
2THESS 3:15 Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.
2THESS 3:16 Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all.
2THESS 3:17 The salutation of Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write.
2THESS 3:18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
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General Information About the Book of 2 Thessalonians.
When reading the book of 2 Thessalonians look for the
following details about The Day Of The Lord: There will
be a falling away. The Man of Sin will be revealed.
The Temple will be rebuilt. The Holy Spirit will be
taken out. The World will be deceived.
Thought on this Chapter 2THESS 3:14 And if any
man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with
him, that he may be ashamed. The Word of God does teach
to separate from brethren that will not obey the word of God. We are to
have no company with them. This is so that he will be ashamed of the way
that he is acting. The goal here is not to hurt this individual. The
goal is so that he will repent and start obeying the Word of God. The goal
is to restore him. 2THESS 3:15 Yet count him not
as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. You are not
to think of him as an enemy, he is still your brother in Christ. You are
to continue to love him. That means that you want what is best for them.
And it is always better to obey the Word of God. Disobedience to God is
sin. Sin always has consequences. You love them and do not want to
see them suffer from the consequences of sin. So you are
to have no company with him and admonish him so that he can be restored, but you
need to do it with the right heart. A heart that truly wants what is best
for them. |
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