2 Thessalonians 3:12 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.

NIV: Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the food they eat.

NASB: Now we command and exhort such persons in the Lord Jesus Christ to work peacefully and eat their own bread.

CSB: Now we command and exhort such people by the Lord Jesus Christ to work quietly and provide for themselves.

NLT: We command such people and urge them in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and work to earn their own living.

KJV: Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.

NKJV: Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread.

In this verse Paul implores the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ to command and encourage idle believers to get to work. His desire is for all who are able to accept regular employment and earn a living. This action would not allow any unbeliever to criticize Christianity as the religion of the lazy. Paul had previously given this command (1 Thessalonians 4:11), but apparently some Thessalonians had disregarded it. Or, it had not been taken seriously. Therefore, he issues the command again, but this time he cites the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ for doing so.

Christians should go about their work at a job or career in a diligent, industrious manner. Such conduct might even win an unbelieving boss to the Lord. Paul wrote in Colossians 3:22–24: "Bondservants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ." A good work ethic not only meshes with our need to be spiritually active (Hebrews 5:11––6:1), it gives us a good reputation with a watching world (1 Peter 2:12).

Second Thessalonians 3:6–15 addresses the sin of idleness. Paul calls on the church at Thessalonica to avoid any brother who makes idleness habitual. He reminds his readers that he and his associates were not idle when they were in Thessalonica. They did not assume they'd be pampered, rather they refused to eat without paying for the meal. They had the right to receive financial and material support for their ministry, but they chose to labor to the point of exhaustion so they would not burden anyone. Their hard work served as an example for the Christians to follow. Paul explains that idleness had turned some members of the church into busybodies, and he prescribes the disciplinary action the church should follow to put an end to idleness.

Paul expresses confidence that the Thessalonians would do what he commanded. He addresses the sin of idleness in the lives of some of the believers at Thessalonica, commanding the church to avoid an idle brother. Paul also points to his own example of diligence, when he refused to rely on charity. Paul clearly separates charity for the needy from foolishly supporting those who are merely lazy: If anyone is not willing to work, don't feed him. The letter ends with a prayer for peace among the Thessalonian believers. Paul also assures his readers that 2 Thessalonians is authentic because it bears his signature.

The prior chapter explained the events which would precede the ''day of the Lord:'' a time of severe judgment. Among these were a time of deep spiritual rebellion and the rise of a figure referred to as the ''man of lawlessness.'' Chapter 2 ended with a reference to the Thessalonians being established in good works. This chapter continues that theme, focusing on the need for Christians to exhibit a strong work ethic. This extends to the way the church applies charity, not wasting it on those who are capable of work, but simply choose not to. These thoughts complete Paul's second letter to the Thessalonians.

Second Thessalonians follows Paul's earlier letter to the same group of Christian believers. In 1 Thessalonians, Paul had praised them for their faithfulness and given them reassurances about the day of the Lord. This included teachings on the rapture and a description of death as ''sleep'' from a Christian viewpoint. In this second letter, Paul corrects possible misunderstandings about those ideas. Among his teachings here are the importance of a good work ethic and God's impending judgment on sin, including judgment on those who persecute the Christian church. Paul also provides the Thessalonians with reassurances that they have not somehow missed out on Christ's return.