Not Weary in Well Doing 2 Thessalonians 3:13

As Paul continued to give the Thessalonian church members some final instructions, he included how they should work in quietness and eat their own food. As opposed to those who do not work, in chapter three and verse thirteen of this second letter from Paul exhorted the Thessalonians to not be “weary in well doing” where we read:

But you, brethren, be not weary in well doing.

The verse begins, “But you, brethren...” Paul began with the word, “But” which is a disassociation conjunction and means that which is about to be stated takes precedence over what was previously said, “moreover, nevertheless, even, then and also” “you” which refers to the Thessalonian church members “brethren” or “a brother, whether born of the same two parents or only of the same father or mother or a fellow believer who is united to another by the bond of affection”. Paul directed his contrast of those who did not work to the “brethren” who were church members in Thessalonica.

The verse goes on to say, “... be not weary in well doing.” Paul continued with the phrase, “be not weary” which is the Greek phrase “ekkakeō mē ekkakeō” which means “to be utterly spiritless, wearied out and exhausted” “in well doing” which means “acting uprightly and living virtuously”. Paul's exhortation was for the Thessalonians to never be exhausted in living and acting in an upright and virtuous manner.

When we think through Paul's words, we may be mindful of “weariness in well doing” in our own lives. With so many people being so incredibly busy, it is easy to become “tired” of doing good. However, we must adhere to Paul's words with the strength of the Lord Jesus guiding us and keeping us living virtuously and uprightly. The gospel of Jesus is so valuable that we must be constantly aware of “growing weary” in our good deeds. We must not be lazy or aloof, and we must not be overly tired of “well doing”. May all who read Paul's words be quick to hear and steady to keep his encouraging words.

Next time Paul tells the Thessalonians to “have no company with” “any man” who does not “obey” Paul and his companions' words, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.

Work with Quietness 2 Thessalonians 3:12

As Paul the apostle continued to give the Thessalonian church members some final directives, he included commands concerning those who did not work and busybodies. In chapter three and verse twelve of this second letter to them, Paul instructed the church members to work with “quietness” where we read:

Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ,

that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.

The verse begins, “Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ,...” The verse begins with the word “Now” which means “then, also, yet, moreover, nevertheless and even” “them that are such” which refers to “this kind or sort” “we command” or “charge, declare, transmit a message along from one to another or announce” “and exhort” which means “beseech, comfort, desire, pray, intreat, call to one's side, summon, address, speak to, admonish and encourage” “by our Lord” which means “he to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding; master and the title is given to God the Messiah” “Jesus” whose name means “Jehovah is Salvation and is the Son of God, the Savior of mankind and God incarnate” “Christ” which means “the anointed One and the Messiah”. Paul's basis and foundation for his direction to the Thessalonian church members was none other than Jesus Christ the Lord.

The verse goes on to say, “...that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.” Paul continued, “that with quietness” which means “in stillness and silence and refers to the description of the life of one who stays at home doing his own work and does not officiously meddle with the affairs of others” “they work” which refers to the church members “labor, minister, commit, trade, exercise, perform, cause to exist, produce and acquire” “and eat” or “consume and devour” “their own bread” or “food composed of flour mixed with water and baked or food of any kind”. Paul desired for the church members to be silently busy about their own work, eating their own food, and staying away from the business and provisions of others.

When we meditate upon Paul's words, we understand the wisdom in “working quietly” and “eating their own” food. Rather than being lazy, aloof and without ambition, church members were to silently do their work and partake of their own bread. This exhortation is good for all who follow after Jesus Christ. Our lives become examples and witnesses of the gospel of Jesus Christ in action, and when we do our own work in quietness and eat of our own food, we demonstrate Christian principles. May the Lord Jesus help us know how to fulfill Paul's instructions, and when others observe our example, may He shine forth in the way we live.

Next time Paul tells the Thessalonians not to be “weary in well doing”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.

Busybodies 2 Thessalonians 3:11

Paul the apostle gave the Thessalonian church members final instructions as he concluded his second letter to them. Among them was the directive that “if any would not work, neither should he eat”, and in chapter three and verse eleven of his letter, Paul shared about “busybodies” where we read:

For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly,

working not at all, but are busybodies.

The verse begins, “For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly,...” Paul began with the word, “For” which means “as, because, even, indeed, no doubt, seeing then, therefore and verily” “we hear” which refers to Paul and his traveling companions “giving audience to, endowing with the faculty of hearing, not deaf, attending to, considering what is or has been said and understanding or perceiving the sense of what is said” “that there are some” or “certain one or persons” “which walk among you” which refers to “those who make their way, progress and make due use of opportunities” “disorderly” which means “out of ranks, irregular, inordinate, immoderate pleasures and deviating from the prescribed order or rule”. Paul and his companions received reports about people who “deviated” from the doctrine taught to them.

The verse goes on to say, “...working not at all, but are busybodies.” Paul continued with the phase “working not at all” or “with no, none and without any laboring, making gains by trading, exercising, performing, committing, causing to exist and producing” “but” which is a disassociation conjunction that means “moreover, nevertheless and an exception, ” “are busybodies” which means “those who bustle about uselessly and busy themselves about trifling, needless, useless matters and is used apparently of people who are officiously inquisitive about other's affairs”. Rather than “working” as they should, there were people among the church members who went about entangling themselves in other people's business. They should have been minding their own concerns, but were too busy involving themselves in trifling matters which were other people's.

As we think through Paul's words, we may have in mind those who always seem to be about other people's business rather than their own. Paul knew there was a tendency for people, even church members, to concern themselves with the affairs of others, and he knew rather than working, they used idle time to be “busybodies”. We too should heed Paul's idea about “working” verses involving ourselves in trifling inquisitions. May the Lord Jesus help us to know when we have tendencies toward being “disorderly” and “out of rank”, and may He keep us “working” in that which He has given us to do.

Next time Paul tells the Thessalonians to “work in quietness”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.

No Work, No Eat 2 Thessalonians 3:10

As Paul the apostle began to complete his final words to the Thessalonian church members, he included an exhortation for them to “follow” he and his companions' working for their own sustenance rather than being supported by the church. He desired not to be “chargeable to any of” them while he shared the gospel of Jesus Christ even though he had the authority to do so. In chapter three and verse ten of his second letter to the Thessalonians, Paul told them “if any would not work, neither should he eat” where we read:

For even when we were with you, this we commanded you,

that if any would not work, neither should he eat.

The verse begins, “For even when we were with you, this we commanded you,...” Paul began with the word, “For” which means “because, even, indeed, no doubt, seeing then, therefore and verily” “even when” or “also, likewise, whenever, as long as” “we” which refers to Paul and his traveling companions “were with you” which refers to the Thessalonian church members physically being in the church members' presence “this we commanded you” or “charged, declared, ordered and transmitted along from one to another”. When Paul and his traveling companions were physically with the Thessalonians, they ordered and directed them toward that which he is about to declare.

The verse goes on to say, “...that if any would not work, neither should he eat.” Paul added, “that if any” which refers to “whoever and any person” “would” or “will, have in mind, intend, resolve, determine, purpose, desire, wish and love” “not work” which means “labor, trade, make gains by trading, do business, perform, commit, cause to exist, earn and acquire” “neither” which means “but not, nor, no not once and so much as” “should he eat” or “devour, take food, eat a meal or consume”. The people who were among the church members who had a mindset and will “not to work” were not to participate in eating.

When we think through these words of Paul, we might be taken back by the directive he gave. The idea was when a person “refused” or “deliberately avoided” working, they were not to partake of the food which was provided. People were not to be aloof, lazy, idle and indolent. They were to participate in the labor force. Many times people who were very capable of working would allow others to do all the work and only participate in the eating of their labors. This was not to be so. We should remember the Lord Jesus as He travelled the earth who although He created it, he was active in “working” as He shared the gospel of His kingdom. We might wonder, who would be starving if the litmus test for eating was whether capable people were working or not? May we hear the Spirit of God as we examine our own lives in the fields of labor and eating.

Next time Paul tells the Thessalonians about people who are “busybodies”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.

An Example Unto You 2 Thessalonians 3:9

Paul the apostle did not want he and his traveling companions to be “chargeable” to any of the Thessalonian church members, so the labored “night and day” to earn their own sustenance. In chapter three and verse nine of his second letter to the Thessalonians, Paul told the church members how this manner of living was to be “an example unto” them where we read:

Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an example unto you to follow us.

The verse begins, “Not because we have not power,...” Paul began with the words, “Not because” or “not since or as though” “we have” which means “own, possess or hold in hand” “not power” or “not having authority, right, liberty and choice”. Paul knew he and his companions had the right to be supported by the Thessalonian church members, however they did not take advantage of their authority.

The verse goes on to say, “...but to make ourselves an example unto you to follow us.” Paul added, “but” which is a disassociation conjunction that means what is about to be stated take precedence over what was just written, “moreover, howbeit, nevertheless, notwithstanding and therefore” “to make ourselves” which refers to Paul and his traveling companions' “fashioning, figuring, forming or printing” “an example” which is literally “the mark of a stroke or blow or a print” and carries the idea of a figure formed by a blow or impression” “unto you” which refers to the Thessalonian church members “to follow us” or “imitate or mimic” Paul and his companions. Paul's desire was for the church members to “follow, imitate and mimic” he and his companions' manner of supporting themselves.

When we think about Paul's words, we admire he and his traveling companions' determination to support themselves. Even though they could have been supported by the Thessalonians, Paul and his companions worked for their sustenance. We too should “follow” or “imitate” Paul's example as we present the gospel with words and our manner of living, and may the Lord Jesus help us not to be “chargeable” to anyone with whom we share His “good news”.

Next time Paul tells the Thessalonians “if any would not work, neither should he eat”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.

Not Chargeable to Any 2 Thessalonians 3:8

Paul the apostle told the Thessalonian church members they knew how they “ought to follow” he and his traveling companions because they “behaved not” “disorderly among” them. Unlike those who were “disorderly” which means “out of order, neglectful of duty, lawless or quitting of the ranks”, Paul and his companions lived according to the doctrine of the gospel of Jesus Christ. In chapter three and verse eight of his second letter to the Thessalonians, Paul told them how he and his entourage worked “night and day” so they “might not be chargeable to any of” them. We read:

Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labor and travail night and day,

that we might not be chargeable to any of you:

The verse begins, “Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought;” Paul began with the word, “Neither” which means “but not, nor or not even” “did we eat” or “devour or consume” “any man's bread” which means “any person's food of any kind” “for nought” or “freely or undeservedly”. Paul and his companions did not partake of anyone's food in an underserved manner.

The verse goes on to say, “but wrought with labor and travail night and day,...” Paul continued with the word, “but” which is a disassociation conjunction which means what is about to be stated takes precedence over what was just written, “moreover, nevertheless, notwithstanding, nay and rather” “wrought” or “work, trade, do business, exercise, perform, commit, cause to exist, produce, earn by working or acquire” “with labor” which literally means “a beating of the breast with grief and sorrow”, and refers to “intense labor united with trouble and toil” “and travail” or “a hard and difficult labor, toil, travail, hardship and distress” “night and day” which refers to “nighttime or the time when work ceases, the time of death, deeds of sin and shame, and the time of moral stupidity and darkness, and the natural day, or the interval between sunrise and sunset, as distinguished from and contrasted with the night which is regarded at the time for abstaining from indulgence, vice and crime which are perpetrated at night and in darkness”. Paul and his men worked “night and day” to earn their own food, provision and sustenance rather than living off the Thessalonian church members.

Finally the verse says, “that we might not be chargeable to any of you:” Paul added, “that we” which refers to Paul and his traveling companions “might not be chargeable” which is the Greek phrase “epibareō mē epibareō” and means “to put a burden upon, load or be burdensome” “to any of you” which refers to the Thessalonian church members. Paul's reason for laboring “night and day” was so he and his traveling companions would not be a burden to the Thessalonians.

When we consider Paul's words, we have to admire his desire to make his own living rather than simply living off the Thessalonians. His desire was to have a pure message and example before them of the “free” gospel which he and his companions presented to them. Many leaders today act as though parishioners “owe” them their living, and rather than the “gospel” being “free”, it comes at a great cost. We might hear this, “Send your prayers to Jesus, and send your money to me”. Paul and his companions lived in contrast to this. They did not want anyone to confuse the gospel of Jesus Christ with a great cost of food, provision or any other sustenance for the messenger. May the Lord Jesus teach us to follow the example of Paul and his men, and may we ever “labor” to present the gospel to others “without charge”.

Next time Paul tells the Thessalonians how he and his companions desired to be “an example” to them, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.

You Ought to Follow Us 2 Thessalonians 3:7

Paul the apostle instructed the Thessalonian church members to “withdraw” themselves “from every brother that walks disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of” Paul and his traveling companions. In chapter three and verse seven of this second letter to the Thessalonians, Paul told the church members how they “ought to follow” he and his entourage where we read:

For yourselves know how you ought to follow us:

for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;

The verse begins, “For yourselves know how you ought to follow us:...” Paul began with the word, “For” which means “as, because, even, indeed, no doubt, seeing then, therefore and verily” “yourselves” which refers to the Thessalonian church members “know” or “see, perceive, notice, discern and discover” “how you ought” which means “it is necessary, there is need of, behooves, is right and proper” “to follow us” or “imitate” Paul and his companions. Paul continued his idea of the Thessalonians obeying the “traditions” or “doctrine” which he and his companions taught and gave themselves as examples to “imitate” in their Christian walk.

The verse goes on to say, “...for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;” Paul went on to add the reason the Thessalonians should “follow” he and his companions, “for we behaved not ourselves disorderly” which in Greek is the phrase “atakteō ou atakteō” and means “out of order, neglectful of duty, lawless or quitting of the ranks” “among you” which refers to the church members. Paul used the example of soldiers who march out of order and “quit their ranks” to describe a contrast between his group and those who disobeyed the “gospel of Jesus Christ”. Rather than “following” those who were in opposition to the gospel, the Thessalonians were to “imitate” the example of Paul and his friends.

When we meditate upon Paul's words, we understand his reason for being an example for the Thessalonians to “follow”, and we are inspired to “imitate” those who are living Christian lives before us. We should seek to live our lives in a manner that is in keeping with the doctrine of the Bible so others will “follow” us as well. With so many alternatives, false teachings and ideas presented before us each day, we will do well to seek the scriptures and be certain those we follow are not “out of rank” and “disorderly”. May the Lord Jesus give us discernment through the Holy Spirit, and may we “follow” those who ascribe to His gospel and His alone.

Next time Paul tells the Thessalonians how he and his companions did not want to be “chargeable to any of” them, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.