2 Thessalonians 3:6-15
v6: In the name: Name is related to character. His (Yeshua’s) character needs to be our character. If
that’s going to be the case, we sometimes have to make some hard decisions.
• Disorderly: Idle people (Those who do not work to earn their sustenance or do not work for
the things of G-d). One of the balances that we need to have in our lives is an ability to
balance our physical and spiritual needs.
• Tradition: Instruction or commandment.
v7: Follow us: Mimic us. Paul and his companions behaved in a certain way so that this congregation
could learn from them.
v8: Paul was hardworking among them.
v9: As an apostle, Paul could have been afforded certain rights and privileges (a workman is worthy
of his wages – 1 Tim 5:17-18), but he chose instead to not use those rights among them so that he
could show them, he was an example to them, of what it meant to work hard.
v10: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat: Many people find this principle a very difficult one
to accept. We are expected to labour, to do what’s necessary to meet our needs (as much as we
can). 1 Tim 5:8. In the Kindgom we are called to serve, but we are also called to work.
v11: Walk…in a disorderly manner: They have a lifestyle of laziness. When people do not work they
are in danger of becoming busybodies (always engaged in others peoples businesses or lives).
Idleness gives us the opportunity to meddle, or to be involved in the things that G-d doesn’t want us
to be involved in.
v12: This verse encourages us to work in a quiet way, eating and enjoying what our own hands
provide.
v13: Do not grow weary in doing good: We need to work hard (sometimes this involves early
mornings and late nights – see 2 Thess 3:8), and well, at those things which are in accordance with
G-d’s will for our lives (things that G-d is pleased with).
v14: There are times when we need to behave with tough love. When people are not behaving
according to the Word it sometimes requires them to be put out of fellowship for a time, in an effort
to get them to repent from their disordered behaviour (“that he may be ashamed”).
v15: Do not count him as an enemy but admonish him as a brother: We need to be very careful that
when the above step is taken it is not done in animosity but is done in love.