2 Thessalonians 3:13-15
13 As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good.
Today’s passage is 2 Thessalonians 3:13. Before starting our exposition of the text, we need to examine under textual criticism, the most acceptible placement of this verse into the correct paragraph setting. Because of variant textual evidence in our many alternative Bible translations, this is crucial to our understanding of the text. This exercise will allow us to use our hermeneutics to interpret the passage according to context and to what is true to the original language’s intent and approved by orthodox Bible translators who hold to the Inerrancy of Scripture as the Holy Word of God.
The translators for the English Standard Version (ESV) place verse 13 of this passage away from the previous section which is a call to avoid idleness and place it in a separate paragraph that includes verses 14-15. Verses 14-15 are the verses we will look at tomorrow; these verses do not directly address the warning of idleness, but rather is a warning for believers to beware of those who do not obey Scripture. I agree with other translations (ASV, Amplified Bible, NIV, NCV, and the third edition of the New Testament Greek Bible, as a few examples), which place verse 13 at the end of the paragraph beginning with verse 6, which is a call to avoid idleness. This placement of verse 13 is most appropriate to our understanding of the whole passage according to context.
Another reason for placing verse 13 with the previous paragraph is due to structural evidence. Both verses 6 and 13 have the same forceful admonishment to avoid any contact with those who oppose. In verse 6, Paul says, “keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us.” And in verse 14, it says, “If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed.” Both verses are an admonishment. Structurally, they are like bookends that surround the meat of the correction in verses 7-13. As a whole flow of thought, Paul uses the bookends to reinforce his call to avoid idleness by stating the church needs to correct the malefactors and avoid those who oppose.
Therefore, with this placement of today’s passage in 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13, Paul wants the church in Thessalonica to be busy, not busybodies. They are to be responsible, and not a burden to others. In other words, those who do not work and are able, need to get a job! The church, in inference, labors to support their families. Additionally, they are to work to help others who cannot work. These are the good works that God has ordained for us. Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” So, whether they work to support themselves and their families, or if they are working in service to God and others, they must be cautious and do all for the glory of God. In their labor, they must be careful to not get overloaded and grow weary by doing good. When overworked, no one is productive for God. Even Christ would go off to a remote place to rest and pray (Luke 5:16). Likewise, as imitators of Christ, we need to work and be wise. God wants us to rest and provides us with an opportunity. Psalms 127:2 says, “It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.”
In application, we need to be obedient to God and His Word. We are to work and provide for our families. Additionally, however, we are to also work wisely and not grow weary in doing good. God wants us, as faithful servants, to be obedient to His will. “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31).
<>< <>< PRAYER ><> ><>
Our most precious Lord God, we thank for you speaking to us through your Word. We praise you for your Word is true! Give us a desire to commune with You in our prayer time and in our reading of Your Word. Thank you for making us, abled-bodied laborers. May we be ready to work for our Master, our Lord Jesus Christ. In our service, O Lord, help us to not grow weary, but to take time to rest, pray, and sleep. These gifts You have given us. We thank You and we praise You for loving us! In Jesus’ Name we pray, amen!
Christian Hymn: Work, for the Night Is Coming by Anna L. Coghill in 1854
