Paul’s
thoughts migrated from his call to spread the Word to unbelievers, to the need
to practice the Word among believers. This call was made in relation to a
particular group whom he felt needed attention. In verse 6, he referred to them
as the “unruly” and in verse 11 as people who were “leading an undisciplined
life.” In his first letter to them, he had already given instruction to this
group of people. Apparently they did not heed his instruction, so he now
addressed them again. Paul’s emphasis here is on the authority of the
instruction rather than the instruction itself. He used such words as “command”
(verses 4, 6 & 12), “order” (verse 10) and “obey” (verse 14) to exhibit authority.
On
closer examination, we will discover the progression of Paul’s instruction to
the Thessalonians. He began by expressing his self-assurance concerning them.
Generally, the Thessalonians were an obedient people, practicing the things
that they were instructed by Paul. So here he sought to motivate them by
expressing his confidence that they would continue to do as he had commanded.
With that, he prayed that they would emulate the love of God and the
steadfastness of Christ.
Since
predominately the Thessalonians were a faithful lot, Paul focused on addressing
these faithful in the Lord. The authority of his instruction is in the name of
the Lord Jesus Christ (v.6). Hence, in that name, he told them to stay away
from the unruly. Who were the unruly? They were a group of believers who were
consumed by a mistaken zeal. Having heard of the Lord’s imminent return, they
gave up their jobs to wait idly for the Lord’s return. Refusing to go back to
work, they would rather sponge on the generosity of their Christian brethren.
Paul had already admonished them in his first letter to return to work, but
they had refused to listen. They had not lived according to the oral or written
instruction given by Paul. Realizing they could be a bad influence, Paul gave
instruction to the faithful to stay away from them.
Paul
even used his own life to illustrate for the Thessalonians to emulate. He was
neither an undisciplined person nor a freeloader. Therefore, he told them that
they shouldn’t be too. In fact, he told them that he worked diligently day and
night so as not to be a burden to them. He did it so as to be a model for them
to emulate, even though he had every right to receive their financial support
as an apostle. He also reminded them that while he was with them, he gave them
a principle to follow. It was the rule that they were told to follow: “If
anyone will not work, neither let him eat.”
In
verse 11, he turned directly to address the unruly. These people were not busy
working with their hands. They were busybodies, meddling with the affairs of
others. He exhorted them with his authority to earn their living and to work
quietly. As he was admonishing the unruly, he must have felt the need to
encourage the faithful to remain steadfast and not grow weary in doing what is
good. Paul went on to prescribe the treatment for those who stubbornly refused
to take heed of the instruction. He asked the Thessalonians to identify these
people and to dissociate with them. The whole purpose was to make these
recalcitrant people feel ashamed. However, they must not be regarded as enemies
but were to be treated and admonished as members of the family. The purpose was
not punitive but restorative.
Remember
1 Corinthians 15:58? In the light of the Lord’s return we must all the more be
steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, for we are
confident that our labor will not be in vain. So let’s be active for the Lord!
No comments:
Post a Comment