Page 58 - Pauline Epistles Student Textbook

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would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. For we hear that
some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. Now such persons we
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command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living
.
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13 As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good. If anyone does not obey what we say in
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this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed. Do
not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.

1 Thessalonians 5 Paul dealt with the idleness of some of the believers in the church. He now
returns to that topic which suggests that it continued to be a problem in Thessalonica.

Notice how Paul begun his exhortation; “in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ,” they were
commanded (v6a). “In” is a preposition which is the basis of the command: the Lord Jesus Christ
Himself. We should all agree that “prophets of old, spoke from God as they were carried along by
the Holy Spirit” (2 Pet 1:21). Holy Spirit was guiding Paul when he was penning down the epistles.

Unlike in 1 Thessalonians 5:13-14 were Paul reassured the congregational leaders to caution the
idlers and disrupters, here, Paul commanded the brothers and sisters to isolate every believer who
was an idler and disrupter and does not live in accordance with the teaching from Paul (v6b).
Evidently there were some brothers who were not applying the teachings they received. Hence,
they were loafing and disrupting. The fact that he addressed the community of believers suggests
that maybe there were some Christians who were helping these brothers who had developed an
unbiblical approach to work. Isolating those who disobeyed would send a message to the lost that
work was required to provide food for themselves. (1 Thess. 2:9-10).
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In v7, Paul again appealed to their acknowledgment and recollection of the example he was while on
mission among them. His appeal appears not to be only for the community which has been
commanded to keep away from those brothers who were indolent and disruptive, but for those who
were idle. Paul and his companions worked to prevent anyone from accusing them of idleness. They
ministered among the church and rightfully could have received gifts or payment for their diligent
work. But they worked night and day in order not be a burden to anybody there (v8). Those
brothers who were idle and disruptive did not learn from Paul’s example. Notice that they worked
night and day, suggesting long, arduous hours.

In v9, Paul stated that he had the right to make a request for his personal maintenance. However,
he withdrew from that in order to be model. He also did not want anyone to “think that he
preached out of an impure motive or for his own gain” (cf. 1 Thess. 2:4f, 9f; 1 Cor. 11:7). Paul told
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them to quite being lazy, and if they did not work, they did not deserve to eat (v10). Since we do not
have any written words concerning these commands, these were commands were probably
delivered to them orally. In v11, Paul was informed about the idlers and disrupters. They were
commanded and urged in accordance with the command of the Lord Jesus Christ work for their food
(v12). Busybodies could refer to a person going from one place in search for food or asking
somebody to provide or give them food. The idea of going from one place is reinforced by Paul’s
command to settle down and work. Verse 13 should refer to those who have been following and
applying the traditions from Paul pertaining to work. He encouraged them to not get tired of doing
what is good.

88 Wanamaker, The New International Greek Testament Commentary: The Epistles to the
Thessalonians, 282.

89 Ibid., 285.

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