The Lord is Faithful

July 25, 2010

Lesson: 2 Thessalonians 3:1–13

Key Verse: 2 Thessalonians 3:3

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Introduction

Christ Jesus has taught us to pray, “Deliver us from evil.” Paul writes to the church at Thessalonica, using the same Greek word for evil: “But the Lord is faithful, who shall establish you, and keep you from evil.” The word ‘evil’ refers to that which is immoral, wicked, or malicious; as a noun referring to Satan as the evil one: “I pray,” spoke Jesus, “that thou shouldest keep them from the evil (one)” (John 17:15). We, as followers of Christ in this world, have the Lord who faithfully gives us victory over evil. “In short, he promises to his disciples the grace of the Father; not to relieve them from all anxiety and toil, but to furnish them with invincible strength against their enemies, and not to suffer them to be overwhelmed by the heavy burden of contests which they will have to endure. If, therefore, we wish to be kept according to the rule which Christ has laid down, we must not desire exemption from evils, or pray to God to convey us immediately into a state of blessed rest, but must rest satisfied with the certain assurance of victory, and, in the meantime, resist courageously all the evils, from which Christ prayed to his Father that we might have a happy issue. In short, God does not take his people out of the world, because he does not wish them to be effeminate and slothful; but he delivers them from evil, that they may not be overwhelmed; for he wishes them to fight, but does not suffer them to be mortally wounded” (J. Calvin).

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The Lord is Faithful: 2 Thessalonians 3:1–5

Paul desires that the church pray for him and his fellow workers in Christ. His desire for prayer from the saints is not for his own benefit, but that “the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you.” He had thanked God for their faith, love, and endurance in the Gospel. Now he asks the saints to pray for him in the same manner. His desire is also for deliverance “from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith.” We too must pray for each other, that the Word of God, the Gospel will go out among the nations without hindrance, that this Word will be glorified, and that the ministers of the Word will be delivered from wicked men. Look carefully at the “Lord’s Prayer” and you will note the inclusion of these three things.

Paul then encourages them in such a prayer by directing their hearts to the truth that “the Lord is faithful.” He is the one establishes the Christian on that solid rock, Christ Jesus. He is the one who will keep us from evil, from those who are morally wicked, malicious in their words and deeds.

Paul also has confidence that the Lord will touch his saints. This work of the Lord will be seen in their obedience to do the things which he has commanded them. Paul had come as an Apostle of Jesus Christ. What he has been teaching them was of the Lord. “Here, accordingly, he marks out limits for himself as to enjoining, and for them as to obeying—that it should be only in the Lord” (Calvin, Commentary). Therefore, Paul prays that “the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.” The Christian’s obedience is their heart being directed to the Love of God. It includes a patient waiting for Christ, for his direction through his Word toward us. Both in the ministry of the Word and the warfare in this world are we found to be victorious in Christ alone. Therefore we must wait upon him, and not be anxious that we rest upon the ways of the world or the weakness of our flesh.

Discussion: Why did Paul ask for prayer? How should our prayers reflect Paul’s desire?

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An Example: 2 Thessalonians 3:6–9

The ministry of Paul is seen in his relationship with those who are serving Christ with him. It is Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy that bring a command to the saints at Thessalonica: “Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.” We do not have the apostles with us, but we do have the Word of God, written. We preach, teach, and admonish, not of our own words or authority, but that of Christ the Lord. It is in the name, the person, and the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ that the saints are admonished to withdraw, or to send oneself away, from that brother who walks in a disorderly manner.

This disorderly walk expresses the heart of a person who walks in disobedience to the revealed word of God. The obedient child of God must not yoke himself to such a person for fear that he too may be led astray. The apostle and his fellow workers are an example of how to behave. An example of good behavior is that they did not eat of any man’s bread for anything. They received their daily bread by the work of their hands that they might not be a burden upon the people. Paul did this, not because he did not have the power or authority to ask and receive bread, but because they need an example to follow. Idle persons are not to take advantage and eat the bread of others.

Discussion: In what ways can we be an example to others in the church?

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Busybodies: 2 Thessalonians 3:10–13

To whom is Paul speaking when he says, “this we command you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat”? It is surely not to those who are unable to work for one reason or another. Even those, who by their own foolishness, get themselves into trouble and find themselves unable to feed themselves or their family, deserve our compassion and help. Paul is speaking about those who are disorderly, those who purposely disobey the admonishment of God’s Word in their relationship with the Lord and others. They are the busybodies. The busybodies are those who eat the bread of others, rather than gather their own bread. They sap the strength of others, rather than carry their own weight. Their talk brings another down, rather than an action that would edify a brother or sister in Christ. Why should they receive a blessing for the work of another? They would rather drain the church of its grace, than work together in a ministry with others.

There are those who receive the commandments and exhortations of the Lord Jesus Christ, and “with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.” These are the gracious brothers and sisters in the church who, in the silence of their labor for Christ, bear the fruit of their labor, and so benefit. These are those who are encouraged not to be “weary in well doing.” We are to do good, to do what is right, to be compassionate, helping others, to do the work of ministry, and not be weary or faint. We are not to let the circumstance around us to make us weary in our doing what is right. Both the ingratitude of those we are ministering to, and the opposition to the Gospel, will incline us to be weary. Whatever may come our way, we are to never depart from our goal to do good to all, and to be faithful to the Gospel which has called us out of darkness to marvelous light of grace and mercy in Christ.

Discussion: What does it mean to be a gracious companion in the Church of Christ?

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Lessons are based on the International Sunday School Lessons for Christian Teaching, copyright © 2010 by the Committee on the Uniform Series.