2 THESSALONIANS LESSON 5


     We will begin this lesson in II Thessalonians 3:10 "For even when
we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work,
neither should he eat."

     As we said in the last lesson, these Thessalonians were sitting
around doing nothing expecting the soon coming of the Lord. From this
Scripture above, we can assume that they expected to be fed by the
church, while they waited for the return of the Lord. Many times, in
our lifetime, people have decided on a date that the Lord was coming
back. Many of them had stopped productive lives and just stayed at the
church until the day came. Just as it was in the days of these
Thessalonians, the day came and went by without the return of the
Lord. I am not criticizing these people, because I would have to point
to myself first. I believe the coming of the Lord is very near. This,
however, does not stop me from writing the Bible studies. I will work
until Jesus comes, or until I am physically unable to work. Each
person must fulfill the task that God has for him to do. We are all
part of a great big puzzle. For the puzzle to be completed, we must
take our place in the framework of God's plan. It is not fair to the
ones who are working to feed those able bodied who are unwilling to
work.

     II Thessalonians 3:11 "For we hear that there are some which walk
among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies."

     God gave work to mankind to help man not to hurt him. Life would
not be worth living, if there were not something constructive for us
to do with our time. If you stay real busy, there is no time to talk
about others, or to create a problem. The following Scripture lets us
know what will happen, if we are not busy. I Timothy 5:13 "And withal
they learn [to be] idle, wandering about from house to house; and not
only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which
they ought not."  Too much idle time gives a person plenty of time to
get into trouble.

     II Thessalonians 3:12 "Now them that are such we command and
exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and
eat their own bread."

     God is not pleased with those who sit around and do nothing. It
is not fair to expect someone else to work and feed you the bread that
they have earned. Even worse than that, is what it does to the idle
person. They lose their self-esteem. I have always said, it is better
to give someone an opportunity, than it is to give them a hand-out.
The person receiving the charity loses his self respect. The following
Scripture says it the best. I Thessalonians 4:11 "And that ye study to
be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own
hands, as we commanded you;" There is no sweeter meal than the meal
you earned by the sweat of your own brow. I really believe that
everyone needs to be needed. We all need to do our share of the work
to feel good about ourselves. Paul's word to those who are not
working, is to go back to work.

     II Thessalonians 3:13 "But ye, brethren, be not weary in well
doing."

     Let us look at some related Scriptures on this. Romans 2:7 "To
them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and
honour and immortality, eternal life:"  I Corinthians 15:58
" Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always
abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your
labour is not in vain in the Lord."  We know that God set the world up
with 6 days of work and one day of rest per week. Work for the night
is coming when man's work is done. The parable about the talents is
about working for God. God is not pleased when we do not use the
talent He has given us for Him. The greatest reward that any of us can
have when we get to heaven is to hear the Lord say, well done, thy
good and faithful servant.

     II Thessalonians 3:14 "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."

     Those who do not follow the teachings that Paul has brought to
them are rebellious. They do not accept instruction. These are people
who proclaim Christianity, but do not recognize Paul's authority in
the church. They are classed as troublemakers and are to be treated as
if they are not one of the group, until they change their ways. The
other Christians are not to fellowship with him. This seems cruel, but
it might bring him to his senses.

     II Thessalonians 3:15 "Yet count [him] not as an enemy, but
admonish [him] as a brother."

     This means that they should tell him of his error and give him a
chance to change. It is not that he has turned his back on God, but
that he has rebelled against the teaching of Paul.

     II Thessalonians 3:16 "Now the Lord of peace himself give you
peace always by all means. The Lord [be] with you all."

     The Lord of Peace and the God of Peace are the same. This is
speaking of the Lord Jesus Christ. The only peace that any of us have,
is the peace that we have within. This peace is in our life, when the
Lord Jesus Christ takes up residence in us and brings the peace that
passes understanding. In this world, there is no peace, except the
peace that Jesus brings us. He will never leave us or forsake us. He
is our Peace. Galatians 2:20 "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless
I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now
live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me,
and gave himself for me." Faith and fear are opposites. Peace is like
faith. If Jesus is Peace, and if Jesus lives in us, then we have peace
in me.

     II Thessalonians 3:17 "The salutation of Paul with mine own hand,
which is the token in every epistle: so I write."

     We know by the verse above that Paul, himself, wrote this letter
to the Thessalonians. We have spoken before about an epistle being a
special letter of instruction that Paul had written. Paul sometimes
had someone else to write the letters that he dictated. It seems in
this particular letter, that was not the case.

     II Thessalonians 3:18 "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ [be]
with you all. Amen."

     This is a typical closing of Paul's letter. even though he used
this very much. It was not just automatic. Paul really did desire that
the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ would be with them. Notice, that
Paul did not exclude those who thought the Lord would be back now. He
blessed them all.






































                     2 Thessalonians 5 Questions


1.  If any would not _______, neither should he ____.
2.  Why is this Scripture so important to these people?
3.  Why is it wrong to pick out a day, and sit down and do nothing
    waiting for that day?
4.  We must all _______ the job that God has for us to do.
5.  They are not working at all, but are ____________.
6.  God made us to work while we are on this earth, who does that
    benefit the most?
7.  Quote 1 Timothy chapter 5 verse 13.
8.  In verse 12, Paul sends this message with what authority?
9.  What did he instruct them to do in verse 12?
10. Who does it hurt the worst when someone is idle?
11. Quote 1 Thessalonians chapter 4 verse 11.
12. Be not weary in ______ ______.
13. Quote Romans chapter 2 verse 7.
14. Quote 1 Corinthians chapter 15 verse 58.
15. Which of the parables teach us that God expects us to work?
16. Verse 14 tells us to have ______ ________ with someone who will
    not work.
17. What could you call this type person?
18. What does "admonish him as a brother" mean?
19. Who is the same as the Lord of Peace?
20. Quote Galatians chapter 2 verse 20.
21. How do we know that Paul, personally wrote this letter?
22. What benediction did Paul write at the end of this letter?