Prayer for the spreading of the message 1
Avoid idle people; People should work in order to eat 6
Dealing with idle people 11
Closing words 16
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| Text | Comments |
| 1 ¶ Finally, brethren,
pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified,
even as it is with you:
2 And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith. .3 But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish [strengthen] you, and keep you from evil. 4 And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command you. 5 And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ. |
3 - Stablish you, and keep you from evil What a promise! Our Lord can keep us faithful jude24. |
| .6
¶ Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly,
and not after the tradition which he received of us.
7 For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you; .8 Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you: .9 Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us. .10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. |
Jesus demonstrated the value of simple labor. See v10. (Line drawing by Harold Munson) 10 - Neither ... eat My mother used this verse to encourage her boys do their jobs. Thank God for good parents pr2125, ec0405. |
| .11
For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working
not at all, but are busybodies.
12 Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread. 13 But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing. .14 And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. 15 Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. |
13
- Weary in well doing Perhaps Paul is saying that we should avoid
the opposite extreme, too. Most of us are not in any danger of doing too
much for the Lord. When we feel this way, however, we may need to take
a little break, without leaving the Lord and without using it as an excuse
because we don't like what a brother or sister said to us!
14 - If ... obey not We need to choose our close friends and for children, we need to provide a righteous atmosphere so they can grow spiritually. See ps119115. |
| .16
¶ Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means.
The Lord be with you all.
17 The salutation of Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write. 18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. <<The second epistle to the Thessalonians was written from Athens.>> |
16 - Lord of peace What a blessing to find our peace in Him. |
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End of Paul's second letter to the people of Thessalonica