We are concluding Paul's two letters to the Thessalonians today. He makes a prayer request for himself and for the other apostles and teachers. Then he issues a warning about those who are able to work but instead are idle and are stirring up trouble. Then he closes with words of peace for the believers of Thessalonica.
"As for other matters, brothers and sisters, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you. And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil people, for not everyone has faith." (2 Thessalonians 3:1-2) There's nothing wrong with praying for ourselves or with requesting prayer for ourselves. Paul and the others who were teaching the gospel were putting their freedom and even their lives in danger. As he said in his first letter to the Corinthians, they were endangering themselves "every hour" and facing death every day. (1 Corinthians 15:30-31a) Naturally these gospel workers desire prayers. They desire prayers for their safety and they desire prayers that the gospel would continue to spread so that more and more people will come to faith in Christ.
Paul has given the Thessalonians instruction and encouragement in his two letters to them, and now he announces the confidence he has in them that they will stand firm. More than this, he announces his confidence that the Lord is able to make them stand firm. "But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. We have confidence in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we command. May the Lord direct your hearts into God's love and Christ's perseverance." (2 Thessalonian 3:3-5) Christ persevered to the end, even though He always knew that the tortures of the cross awaited Him. Can the One who faithfully endured so much not also empower us to persevere to the end? Of course He can, and in verse 5 we find Paul promising us that we can have "Christ's perseverance". The Lord Himself will give us the strength to remain faithful to Him no matter what Satan or this fallen world throws at us.
Next Paul reminds his readers that it doesn't honor the Lord to be idle. It doesn't honor the Lord to take advantage of others. If anyone is able to perform good honest work, that person should do so. When a person has too much empty time on his hands, he will be tempted to fill it with the wrong things. Paul tells those who are working hard to avoid spending time with those who love being idle, for the idle attitude might rub off on them. "In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers and sisters, to keep away from every believer who is idle and disruptive and does not live according to the teaching you received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone's food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate. For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: 'The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.'" (2 Thessalonians 3:6-10) Paul isn't talking about people who are truly unable to work; he's talking about people who are able to work but are unwilling to work.
"We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies. Such people we commend and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the food they eat." (@ Thessalonians 3:11-12) It seems there were some in Thessalonica who used their "volunteer church work" as an excuse for not earning a living. They weren't really working in the church but merely giving the appearance of being busy. They were showing up but were spending their time running from person to person gossiping and stirring up trouble.
Paul has words of encouragement for those who are already working hard as they should be. "And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good." (2 Thessalonians 3:13) Earning an honest living honors the Lord. The Lord isn't going to only reward us for work done in the church; He's going to reward us for our faithfulness to our jobs. He notices every time we do something that is right, even if it's something small, and He will say to us someday, "Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things." (Matthew 25:23)
Paul has already told the believers to follow the example of the apostles and teachers when it comes to making an honest living. He fears that the attitude of idleness might rub off on them if they associate with those who are being lazy. In addition, not spending time with these lazy busybodies might lead the busybodies to repent of their poor attitude. "Take special note of anyone who does not obey our instruction in this letter. Do not associate with them, in order that they may feel ashamed. Yet do not regard them as an enemy, but warn them as you would a fellow believer." (2 Thessalonians 3:14-15) He says, "Don't hang out with them. Maybe they will miss your company and will realize that you are avoiding them because they aren't doing what's right. But when you run into them somewhere, don't treat them as if they are outcasts. Remember that these are your brothers and sisters in Christ. Warn them about their wrong attitudes, but do it in a loving and concerned way."
He closes his second letter with words of peace. "Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you. I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand, which is the distinguishing mark in all my letters. This is how I write. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all." (2 Thessalonians 3:16-18) Paul dictated most of his letters and signed them at the end. We learned in his letters to the Thessalonians that some false teachers claimed Paul said things he didn't say. He's telling the believers that they will know whether he said something or not by checking to see whether his signature is at the end of any letter they are shown. If someone claims Paul wrote a letter, but his signature is not on it or if there's a signature on it that doesn't match his handwriting, then they will know it's a forgery.
The best test of any teaching is to compare it to what the Holy Bible says. In Paul's day the New Testament hadn't been published and distributed, so people had to be careful whether they were reading a genuine letter from him or not. In our day we are blessed to have the Old Testament and the New Testament. We can compare the words of any pastor or evangelist or teacher with what God has said. If something we are being taught contradicts the word of God, we need to stop listening to it. We need to stop associating with anyone who teaches false doctrine. The word of God is the only real truth there is, and all doctrine must be tested by it. Knowing and studying God's word will protect us from falling for lies and it will protect us from committing many sins, as the psalmist said: "I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You." (Psalm 119:11)
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