Work Quietly

Read aloud

Paul gives a command in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ concerning believers who are leading undisciplined lives and refusing the tradition they received. He tells the church to keep away from a brother living in this way. The problem is refusal of responsibility joined to interference in other people's lives.

He points to the missionaries' own example. They were not undisciplined among the Thessalonians and did not eat anyone's food without paying. Although they had a right to receive support as gospel workers, they chose to work night and day so they would not become a burden. Their labor was offered as an example, not as a claim that every faithful person must work without help.

Paul repeats a command they had already heard: “If anyone is unwilling to work, he shall not eat.” In context, he is confronting people who can work but refuse while living in a disorderly way. Unwillingness is different from inability. The command does not license neglect of those who cannot provide for themselves.

The problem is sharpened by the report that some are accomplishing nothing but being busybodies. Refusing one's own responsibility can create time and appetite for managing someone else's. Paul urges such people to begin working quietly to earn their own living. They should attend to their own work instead of intruding into other people's affairs.

Paul's own labor gives weight to his instruction. He has accepted costly responsibility himself and now calls these believers to do the same.