2 Thessalonians 3 - Don't Be So Heavenly Minded You Are Of No Earthly Good!
Warning Against Idleness
6 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. 7 For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, 8 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. 9 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. 10 For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.” 11 We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies. 12 Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the food they eat. 13 And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good.14 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. 15 Yet do not regard them as an enemy, but warn them as you would a fellow believer.
As Paul concludes his teaching on how the church in Thessalonica should be prepared for Jesus' return. He finishes with what this means practically in their life together. Apparently some, thinking Jesus' return was imminent, stopped going to work supposing this might make them more ready for Jesus' return. The problem was they were "sponging off" the other believers for their daily necessities.
It also says they were "disruptive". He also uses the term "busybodies" which was a play on the Greek words for "body" and "busy".
The idleness of some had become a source of sin. It was not only because of the work that they didn’t do, but also because of the harm they did do with their idle time (but are busybodies). There is a play on words between the ancient Greek phrasing in the lines not working at all and but are busybodies. The idea is something like “busybodies who do no business.” (David Guzik, Enduring Word Commentary)
As someone has said they were so, "Heavenly minded that they were of no earthly good!" - Oliver Wendell Holmes
Paul gave strict admonition that they confront this laziness and attitude of "privilege" by telling these people, "If you don't work you don't eat!" I think this would be a good rule for people today. Though we should be gracious toward those who are honestly homeless and need help, there are many who just need to "get to work"!
Paul wasn't just preaching to the choir. In his own life he refused to be paid for his service to the church, as some were apparently doing. Instead he took a job as a "tentmaker". (Acts 18:3) Today we call this "bi-vocational" ministry. Many think in the future more and more pastors will be "bi-vocational". The bottom line is Paul is not preaching anything he didn't live by.
Paul is so serious about this behavioral and integrity problem that he counsels the Church not to associate with these type of people, if they do not comply. We call this "tough love". We know Paul's heart for the church and its people, so I don't think he was doing this to be spiteful. He also foresees how disruptive they were being and how quickly their behavior could lead to dissension, resentment, and division in the church.
I think generally speaking, the Church "errors on the side of grace" when it comes to these kinds of issues. We don't want to be judgmental or harsh. But I wonder if we are doing anybody any favors if we are not calling ought behaviors unbecoming of a Christian and detrimental to the body of Christ. Paul says it best when he calls this "speaking the truth in love". (Ephesians 4:15)
Jesus, the most loving person who ever lived, spoke the truth in love to the woman caught in adultery in John 8. The women was expecting Jesus, as a Jewish rabbi, to condemn and even possibly stone her according to the Jewish Law, as they other Jewish leaders were about to do.
But when he looked in her eyes, he said to her, "Who is it that condemns you?" And she said, "No one sir!" Then he said, "Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more."
So you see Jesus shows her both grace and truth. The two can work together. It is a paradox that is the same principle at work on the cross when Jesus didn't excuse our sin, but paid the price for it. Pure grace! But He also set us free to live a life worthy of our calling and not go back to our old ways! Truth!
Jesus, we thank you that you came full of grace and truth. May we not be busybodies and idlers in the church, but may we each to do our part to build up the body of Christ! We know that when we all do our part. the church will be functioning like the church in Acts, when so many came to know you! Amen.
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