2 THESSALONIANS LESSON 4
We will begin this lesson in II Thessalonians 3:1 "Finally,
brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have [free]
course, and be glorified, even as [it is] with you:"
Paul had given them instruction in the last lesson to stay
steadfast in the Word of God. He knew they had been taught the Truth
of the gospel, and he was reminding them to stay close to what they
had learned from him. Paul is very pleased with this church, and the
way they had conducted themselves. Now, he feels that he should praise
them for their steadfastness on the course he had set them. He was
pleased with the results he had seen from them. His request for them
to pray for the Word of God to be spoken freely from him, was not just
a statement, but showed that he had great confidence in them. We have
said so many times, the power in this world is the Word of God. It
matters not whether it be spoken or written. Paul wants to be able to
continue to bring the same Truth that he had brought here at
Thessalonica to all the places God would send him. His prayer was that
the Word of God would be freely given by him everywhere he went, and
that the people hearing would accept it. The unselfishness of Paul is
seen in that Paul includes them in the success of his mission by
asking them to pray for the success of the mission.
II Thessalonians 3:2 "And that we may be delivered from
unreasonable and wicked men: for all [men] have not faith."
Paul had certainly met with his share of unreasonable men. This
is a gross understatement, to say that all men have not the faith.
Even today, many men do not have the faith. It was even more so in
Paul's day. Christianity was new. Many of the people where Paul had
gone worshipped idols. His greatest persecution came from the Jews,
however. Paul had been persecuted from every side. He was weary of
the persecution, and prayed that he would be delivered from that in
the future. This would not be for Paul, however. He had a high calling
of God. Look what Jesus said in the next Scripture. Acts 9:16 "For I
will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake."
Paul was called to a ministry of suffering. These unreasonable and
wicked men are men who will not listen to, or accept the Truth.
Without faith, it is impossible to please God. Those who reject faith
in Jesus are doomed. Paul is not afraid for himself, but for the
others with him, and for these in Thessalonica.
II Thessalonians 3:3 "But the Lord is faithful, who shall
stablish you, and keep [you] from evil."
We see a sudden change from his welfare to that of these
Thessalonians. He is saying, put your faith in God, and He will
protect you. Even in the Lord's prayer, it says deliver us from evil.
Temptation comes through the flesh of man. As long as man is in the
flesh, there will be temptation to sin. You must allow the spirit
within you to overcome your flesh. If we allow the Spirit of Christ
within us to be our Lord and guide us in everything, that Spirit will
overcome the flesh and keep us from evil.
II Thessalonians 3:4 "And we have confidence in the Lord touching
you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command you."
Paul was confident that they had turned their will over to the
will of God. If Jesus Christ is Lord of your life, He makes your
decisions, and you will do the will of God instead of your own will.
To make Jesus your Lord, means that He is in total control of your
life.
II Thessalonians 3:5 "And the Lord direct your hearts into the
love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ."
Let Jesus Christ your Lord fill you so full of His love that you
will know you are His. You are what your heart is. If Jesus has
completely filled your heart, you are a Christian, Christ-like. It is
difficult to wait patiently for the coming of Christ. These
Thessalonians, had expected Jesus back immediately. Paul is telling
them to not be anxious, but to wait patiently for His return.
II Thessalonians 3:6 "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."
Paul had taught of the second coming of Christ. Their error had
come in expecting His return to be immediately. Paul is not asking
them, but commanding them to not fall into false doctrine. Brethren
indicates that this was for all the believers in the church, not just
the officials. The "disorderly" here, would be those who do not follow
the teachings Paul established there. Traditional teachings are those
that were originally established in the church by Paul. One person
walking disorderly can cause a great confusion in the church. It is
best to remove yourself from any influence of the disorderly, so that
you will not become disorderly yourself.
II Thessalonians 3:7 "For yourselves know how ye ought to follow
us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;"
Paul had lived uprightly before them, and his life had been as
much a testimony as his words to them. He had set an example for them
to follow. He says, you already know the example we set without us
telling you. The "us" here, probably includes Timothy and Silas.
II Thessalonians 3:8 "Neither did we eat any man's bread for
nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we
might not be chargeable to any of you:"
It seems many of these people were expecting the Lord back so
quickly, that they had quit their jobs and were just sitting around
waiting for the return of the Lord. We are instructed in the Word of
God over and over to be doing the work of the Lord even up until the
hour that he comes. Paul reminds them that he worked and made his own
living while he ministered to them. Paul did not want to be obligated
to any of them, so he made a living making tents. Paul did this not so
that he could brag about it, but so that he could stay away from the
influence of obligation. The job of ministering is a full time job by
itself, and is very hard labor. It is a labor of love, but it is still
very tiring. Paul went even further for this congregation, in that he
required nothing in return for his labor. He wanted to show them the
love that he had for them.
II Thessalonians 3:9 "Not because we have not power, but to make
ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us."
Paul is saying here, that it was within his power to expect them
to pay him for his work. He did not require it, because he wanted to
set a good example for them. He was teaching that we should never be
weary in well doing. Paul worked for them to see that it is important
to be working for God. He set the example.
2 Thessalonians 4 Questions
1. Why did Paul ask them to pray for them?
2. Paul gave them instruction to be steadfast in the ______ of ____.
3. What could Paul praise them for?
4. What is the power in this world.
5. When Paul includes them by asking them to pray, this shows Paul
has great __________ in them.
6. Who did Paul pray to be delivered from?
7. Many of the places that Paul had gone, the people worshipped
_____.
8. What was Paul's high calling?
9. Without ______, it is impossible to please God.
10. Who is Paul afraid of?
11. Paul says, put your faith in God and He will _______ you.
12. Temptation comes through the _______ of man.
13. You must allow the ______ within you to overcome the _______.
14. What were these Thessalonians to do?
15. What does it mean to make Jesus Lord of your life?
16. In verse 5, the Lord directs them into _________ waiting for the
Lord.
17. Paul commanded them in whose name?
18. Who were they to withdraw themselves from?
19. Who are the "disorderly" in verse 6?
20. Who was this message for?
21. Why must you remove yourself from the disorderly?
22. Why should they pattern their life after Paul's life?
23. Who is the "us" in verse 7?
24. What drastic thing had these people done, because they felt the
Lord was coming any minute?
25. How did Paul make a living?
26. Why did he not accept a salary from them?
27. Could Paul have required them to pay him, if he had desired?
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