“Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course and be glorified, just as it is with you, and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have faith.” 2 Thessalonians 3:1-2.

The above was covered in the study, Not All Have Faith, 2 Thessalonians 3:1-2, posted on 3-14-21. It is included to maintain context, we will continue here with 2 Thessalonians 3:3 below.

“But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one.” 2 Thessalonians 3:3.

In contrast to those who did not have faith, the apostle tells us that the Lord is faithful. It is God in whom we should place our trust.

Men will fail and God may do things differently than we expect, but He is trustworthy and our faith in Him will not be in vain.

Paul acknowledged in his first letter that the Thessalonians had endured many afflictions of their own when they became Christians, so it would not have been a strange thing when they are told that God would establish and guard them from the evil one since He had already done so up to that point.

These words are for us too and we should bring them up to God in prayer often when we are weak and failing or in peril.

“being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ…” Philippians 1:6.

“And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, both that you do and will do the things we command you.” 2 Thessalonians 3:4.

Notice that words we command you are being used, not we ask you, or we exhort you. It is good to watch these single words in Scripture because ones like, command you, are very strong meaning that this is not a suggestion, but something to do.

When the church was set up in Thessalonica there was encouragement and teaching, and also commandments as to how the people of God should act.

“Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God; for you know what commandments we gave you through the Lord Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 4:1-2.

The confidence in the church at Thessalonica was that they would excel more and more in what they were doing all along and not abandon those commandments they were given.

“Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ.” 2 Thessalonians 3:5.

“Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, ‘I know Him,’ and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.” 1 John 2:3-5.

“No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us.” 1 John 4:12.

The Lord through the Spirit directs our hearts, reminding us of God’s commandments and as we begin to keep them we experience more of the love of God.

Not that His love was not there all along, but as we get closer to Him we become more able to feel its reality.

It is in the same manner, by the Spirit, that we gain the patience of Christ. The Thessalonian believers had exhibited this patience from the beginning as noted by the apostle in the first letter to them.

“We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers, remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father…” 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3.

And again it is in the opening of the second letter to them.

“We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other, so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure…” 2 Thessalonians 1:3-4.

The Thessalonians had suffered greatly and patiently endured, but they, as well as we, needed to be reminded to endure. And to know that they were not enduring alone.

The apostles also were enduring patiently, just as the prophets before them among a great cloud of witnesses who had also done so.

For a list of them, see the faith chapter Hebrews chapter 11 which continues below in chapter 12 with an encouragement to follow Jesus’ example.

“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2.

Having said all this, we are given another command.

“But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you; nor did we eat anyone’s bread free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us. For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.” 2 Thessalonians 3:6-10.

Too often the church today overlooks truly sinful behavior among its members. Part of the reason for this is that the offending member can simply go to another church rather than enduring chastisement for the sins they love.

Church leadership may also feel that the private lives or even outward behavior of its members are not under their control.

This is true to a certain extent because the one chastised may just get a lawyer. Satan often puts these faithless, unreasonable and wicked men within churches for the purpose of creating havoc within the body of Christ.

This does not stop individual Christians from distancing themselves from someone who is in open sin.

Very often though, the membership themselves gather around the “victim” who has been caught in an adulterous relationship, or has been found a dishonest businessman and offer their sympathies.

“It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and such sexual immorality as is not even named among the Gentiles – that a man has his father’s wife! And you are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he who has done this deed might be taken away from among you.” 1 Corinthians 5:1-2.

The passage quoted earlier also speaks of disorderly persons who would not work, saying of them, “If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.” This is directed at persons who will not work, not to those who cannot find work, even though they are trying diligently.

“For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread.” 2 Thessalonians 3:11-12.

The apostle both exhorts (encourages) and commands, so this is a commandment which the writer is first encouraging these unemployed persons to do reminding them that it is not a suggestion rather, it has the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ, their Savior behind it.

One of the side effects of not working is that they became busybodies, meddling in other people’s affairs, since they had none of their own.

In all fairness, some of these may have been anticipating the end since a false prophet had told the church that the day of the Lord had already come, giving them the impression that they were about to go through the tribulation anyway.

Some folks today may have missed out on a lot in life because they were anticipating the rapture at any moment. They may not have gone to college because, what would be the use if Christ came back half way through their education?

Perhaps they did not go for their doctorate for the same reason, or put off getting married or not taken a promotion at work. Maybe they did not build a house or start a business for the same reason.

It is true that we must look for Christ’s imminent return, but we need not put our life on hold, in fact, just the opposite, life is meant to be lived out to the glory of God.

“Therefore He [Jesus] said: ‘A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and to return. So he called ten of his servants, delivered to them ten minas [mina $16 to each], and said to them, “Do business till I come.”’” Luke 19:12-13.

This parable is almost literal history. Jesus died for our sins, rose again on the third day and ascended into heaven, the far country.

The ten servants represent Christians and the minas are the gifts we are given when we accept Christ as our Savior. Jesus then said to them, “Do business till I come.” occupy till I come.

Christians are given gifts which match their natural abilities. There is no excuse for not using them.

All of us that can work should be either doing that or looking for work. Christians can be examples of Christ by their conscientious hard work. They can correspond with missionaries, work at a rescue mission, or just be a truthful honorable person a known Christian who tells folks about Jesus Christ.

“But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good.” 2 Thessalonians 3:13.

“And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.” Galatians 6:9-10.

“And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.” 2 Thessalonians 3:14-15.

Again, peer pressure is brought to bear against those who do not obey. This is not excommunication, which is an excessive measure; rather it is an attempt to bring a brother back into line.

It is important to realize that if Christians cannot or will not attempt to correct blatant sin, God will do it. Sometimes His measures are pretty extreme, so it is a good idea to help a brother learn the easy way rather than in some truly miserable way.

“Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all.” 2 Thessalonians 3:16.

Again, this blessing is for you.

“The salutation of Paul with my own hand, which is a sign in every epistle; so I write. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.” 2 Thessalonians 3:17-18.

God is Faithful, 2 Thessalonians 3:3-18 taken from godisrevealed.com posted on 11-13-13, updated on 3-17-21.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version, copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission, all rights reserved.