Writings

Saturday, 21 October 2017

…not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us. 2 Thessalonians 3:9

One can see the importance of apostolic authority in Paul’s words. He has explained why he and his associates did not impose upon those in Thessalonica. It was because they did not desire to be a burden on them. However, he now notes that they had every right to do so with the words, “not because we do not have authority.” They had a legitimate right to partake of anything any other apostle was entitled to. They bore the word of God, and they transmitted it to the church there.

The implication is that bearing the word of God carries this authority. As the word of God comes through the apostles, only those who bear the word of God, as given by the apostles, have such a right to the same authority. And as there is only one word of God, only those who hold to it alone have a true right to what accompanies its transmission. Someone who stands in the pulpit and dismisses the word of God, or who adds to it, has no authority, or has abused his authority. He is to be rejected. This is all implied in how Paul reveals these truths. The word of God alone is our authority within the church.

He, and his associates, possessed that authority, but they did not exercise it. This was, as he says, “to make ourselves an example.” The words “to make” means “so that we might give.” They were setting themselves as examples for those in Thessalonica to learn from and to emulate. They had purposefully acted as they did with the intent of teaching those who were slothful among the church. They were to learn by it in hopes that they would emulate what they saw. This is revealed in the words, “of how you should follow us.” Paul and his companions had set themselves as a model, and this model was expected to be applied to the lives of those in the church.

What is seen here is a letter which centers on the coming rapture of the church, and then the coming Day of the Lord. It is to be inferred that there were congregants who were sitting around doing nothing because it was so much easier to speculate about the coming of the Lord than it was for them to get up, get out, and work. And it was also so much easier than studying the word, gaining sound theology, and actually applying Scripture to their lives.

They were the forerunners of today’s YouTube prophecy addicts who spend all their time in the realm of “goofy,” instead of in the realm of reality. The Thessalonians didn’t want to work, and they used the soon coming of the Lord as an excuse to not do just that. They didn’t want to strain their minds on sound theology, and they mishandled Scripture in order to avoid learning how to rightly apply it.

Before YouTube, one can see them setting up stalls on the road and promoting their wares for everyone to see. Instead of a DONATE button, they had a DONATE slot. Instead of computer graphics, they had their wife paint a bizarro screen at the back of the stall. And instead of an open Bible, filled with study notes, they listened to words of false teachers (see verses 2:1-3), or they simply made things up out of their own heads, passing it off as the truth of God. Paul is (and will continue) telling them that this is not appropriate. They needed to get out there, work, and stop idly speculating about something which is known but to God alone.

Life application: Paul set the example of work and industry. Stop watching 60 hours of YouTube a week, get up, get out, and get to work. And in your free time, read the Bible.

Lord God, Your word sets forth an example for Your people that we are to be hard working, self-sufficient, and industrious. It also informs us that this is so because idle speculation about the Lord’s return is unproductive, it is time-wasted, and it is harmful to the body. This can all be inferred from Your word, and some of it is explicit. Help us to get a grip, get off YouTube, and get to work – always anticipating, but never expecting, the great Day when Jesus comes to take us home. Whoo hoo. Oh what a day that will be. Amen.

Friday, 20 October 2017

…nor did we eat anyone’s bread free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, 2 Thessalonians 3:8

These words are not just descriptive reminders, but they are instructive as well. Paul just said, “For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us.” By stating what they did, he is instructing what those in the church should do. He began that instruction by stating they were “not disorderly.” Now he continues in this verse with, “nor did we eat anyone’s bread free of charge.”

Paul and his companions didn’t just come to town, proclaim the gospel, and then say, “As your instructors, we hope you will provide for our means while we are among you preaching and teaching.” Instead, he uses a Hebraism – “eat anyone’s bread” – to show that they tended to their own basic needs. “Bread” here is used as a metaphor for that which sustains life. Not only did they shun pay for their instruction, they even refused to accept a gift (free of charge) for the most commonly needed of provision. Instead, they “worked with labor and toil night and day.”

They were willing to expend themselves for the sake of those they ministered to rather than accept what they were actually rightfully due. Elsewhere Paul says, “The laborer is worthy of his wages” (1 Timothy 5:8). He also says, “Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches” (Galatians 6:6). However, it is obvious that Paul and his associates perceived that there was a streak of slothfulness in the Thessalonians which needed to be rebuked through living example. As Charles Ellicott notes, “There is a flavour of scorn in St. Paul’s disclaimer of such a parasite’s life.”

In order to quench this attitude among the Thessalonians, they worked all the more heartily, even night and day, in order to be living examples of how to conduct one’s affairs. This is all the more certain, because he and his associates were willing to receive pay at other churches (see 2 Corinthians 11:8). But for those churches which needed proper guidance in how to conduct life’s affairs, they would go the extra mile in being the right example. This was so “that we might not be a burden to any of you.”

In seeing this example, they would hopefully learn to rightly live as well. Instead of being freeloaders, they would learn hard work, industry, and making one’s own way in life. This will continue to be seen as Paul continues.

Life application: With the advent of liberal policies, and handouts from the government, being a freeloader has become an acceptable part of society. However, it is not an acceptable attitude according to the Bible. The book of Proverbs, in particular, has strong words against such people. They are leeches that need to be scraped off from the bloodied flesh they cling to, and they need to either fend for themselves, or suffer the consequences of their own idleness.

Lord God, You word teaches that each man is to be industrious, and to earn his own way. We are not to be freeloaders who rely on others, whether individuals or governments. It’s unfortunate that the policies of those in power have led to a generation of freeloaders and leeches. We would pray that this would change. If a man has two working hands and two working feet, he needs to be responsible for his own way in life, or he needs to be cut off as a pariah. You have made us to be industrious, and so help us to be just that. Honorably working in society – helpful to others, and glorifying of You. Amen.

Thursday, 19 October 2017

For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you; 2 Thessalonians 3:7

The word “For” is given here based on the words of the previous verse which exhorted those in Thessalonica to “withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly…”. It then is explained in this and in the coming verse. Now, he says, “For you yourselves know.” As he has done on numerous occasions, Paul calls to memory what occurred in the past. Each time he does this, it solidifies his argument and his exhortations, because there can be no doubt of what he relays. He and his associates acted in a certain way, and they saw it with their own eyes.

Understanding this, he goes further by saying that they know “how you ought to follow us.” The meaning of “follow” is “to imitate.” In the manner that he and his fellow-workers acted, the church should also act. The missionaries had set the standard, and those ministered to should take note and follow accordingly. This “how you ought to follow us” is actually described by him in his first letter to them –

“You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe; ¹¹ as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children, ¹² that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.” 1 Thessalonians 2:10

The final words of the verse, “for we were not disorderly among you,” are not meant to contrast for the purpose of condemning. Rather, they are words of contrast for the purpose of exhortation that they would choose and walk on the right path. The Greek word he uses which is translated as “disorderly” is the verb form of the adverb he used in the previous verse which was also translated as “disorderly.” Thus, he is saying, “Just as you are to withdraw from those who are disorderly, you should emulate one who is marching in proper order, for we were not walking in a disorderly way among you.”

He is using a negative in order to form a positive example in the eyes of the Thessalonians. Like his description of himself in his first letter, he will next again provide concrete examples of the conduct he and his associates demonstrated while he was among them.

Life application: Paul’s words are as much to us as they were to his original audience. If we want to live properly, all we need to do is go to the Bible and apply its precepts to our own lives. This is especially so with the words of Paul’s epistles. They are our “marching orders” during this dispensation. All Scripture is profitable for this purpose, but his words are especially directed to this Gentile-led church age.

It is such an honor to know that we can come to You, O God, and to ask You for our heart’s desire because of the mediation of Christ. There is no longer any fracture between us. The veil is rent, and we have full and unfettered access to Your throne of grace. Help us to be confident in our prayer life, and help us to use this privilege and honor wisely so that our prayers will be pleasing to Your ears. Thank You, O God, for our intimate line of communication in Christ. Amen.

Wednesday, 18 October 2017

But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us. 2 Thessalonians 3:6

In verse 4, Paul noted his confidence that the Thessalonians would do the things that were commanded them. He now gives such a command, specifically stating it as such. But, he again calls them “brethren.” It is a command based on their place in Christ, and one which is intended to ensure harmony within that placement. To further bolster this, he then says, “in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” This is what made them “brethren” in the first place.

Because of their standing in Christ, and under the authority of that name which was given to Paul (and those with him), he issues his first of a series of commands and exhortations. This first command is “that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly.” The word he uses is only found elsewhere in 2 Corinthians 8:20. It gives the sense of “taking precaution” against. In modern lingo, we might nod towards such a person and quietly say under our breath, “Watch out for that guy.”

This is not a formal excommunication, but it is a strong warning to not get tangled up with such a person. Most churches of any size at all have one or two people like this. They are given instruction, and they refuse to apply it to their lives. Thus, they are disorderly. The word so translated is an adverb found twice, both in this chapter (see verse 11 for its second use). As an adjective, it is used in 1 Thessalonians 5:14 where it is translated as “unruly.” It signifies someone who walks in an insubordinate manner towards the word of God, and is thus fruitless. He lacks proper discipline.

The reason he is this way is because his walk is “not according to the tradition which he received from us.” The “tradition” Paul speaks of is an authoritative standard which is expected to be passed on and adhered to. As it says, it is “from us.” It is that which is apostolic in nature. As it is, it ultimately receives its authority from Christ the Lord.

Today, with the Bible complete, there is no such tradition which is not found there. In other words, with the ending of the apostolic age, any other “traditions” are from men and not from God. They may be useful, but they are do not carry the same authoritative stamp. Papal edicts, books of discipline, etc, can be amended. The word of God cannot. It is this word of God which carries the “traditions” which Paul speaks of here.

Life application: Churches often place high value on written codes which are extra-biblical, using them for the practical guidance of their gatherings. This is rather unfortunate, as has been seen among many long-standing denominations in recent years. One example is the Book of Discipline found in the Methodist church. It was given with guidelines concerning morality which were originally closely aligned with biblical standards. However, those standards have lately been changed, or are being evaluated for change, to allow all kinds of unbiblical perversion. Instead of going back to the source, meaning the Bible, they have altered the traditions which were man-given. This is error. Either the Bible is the rule and guide of our walk, or we have no proper source by which we will conduct ourselves in accord with God’s standards.

Lord God, codes of conduct, papal edicts, books of discipline, etc., can all be amended or superseded, but the Word of God stands forever. Help us to redirect our lives away from such things, and to correct our walk before you based on Your word alone. There is way too much perversion in churches today because they have decided upon their own moral standards instead of relying on what You have instructed. And with this turning from Your word, only a sad expectation of wrath and indignation can be expected. Wow! We sure don’t want that! Help us to stick to Your word for our holy conduct. Amen.

Tuesday, 17 October 2017

Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ. 2 Thessalonians 3:5

An implicit reference to the Trinity is stated here. “Now may the Lord direct your hearts” is a work which properly belongs to the Holy Spirit. “The Lord” here would be, in Paul’s mind, the Greek rendering of the divine Hebrew name of God.” In the Greek, it is a general word for God, but the order of the verse is showing us that he is thinking of the sacred name first, which he then breaks down into the Persons and workings of the Godhead.

“Into the love of God” gives the sense of, “So that you may love God.” This doesn’t mean that they didn’t yet love God, but Paul is petitioning that they will always be directed to love God. It is comparable to saying to a couple on their wedding, “May the power of love direct your heart into the love of one another.” They are already in love, but the appeal is that they will always be in love, and drawn into the love of one another. It is as if the love is a safe haven from all the cares and worries which could otherwise steal away the joy of being united. And to ensure that this love is strengthened so that it can be realized, he finishes with “and into the patience of Christ.”

Christ was able to face His trials patiently because his heart was fully directed to the love of God. But it is also true that His patience in those trials made it possible for Him to be directed into the love of God. The two work hand in hand to form a complete whole. In our trials, we need to be patient, understanding that God has a good end for us, even if the immediate moments are seemingly unbearable. And, in our trials we need to direct our hearts into the love of God so that we may be patient through the trials. Each is a part of the whole, and together they will keep us on the right path towards the good end which lies ahead for the people of God.

And these things are needed based on what he had said in the previous verse. He had just said, “And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, both that you do and will do the things we command you.” By having our hearts directed into the love of God, and also by having the patience of Christ, we will certainly have the desire and the ability to do the things we are commanded to do. This is Paul’s heartfelt prayer for those in Thessalonica (and thus us!).

Life application: Times of trial are certain to come, but if we are properly directed, and if we are determined to patiently endure them, then those trials will not destroy our faith. Instead, we will be able to maintain it through the trials. If we are lacking these things, we should pray for the Lord to direct us and establish us in them. He will graciously grant such a request, as He has done for the countless faithful who have gone before us.

It is a tough life, O God. Even on the best of days, we can get misdirected and tossed about in a moment. In this, we can quickly lose our direction. How much more true is this when extended times of trial and trouble cross our path. In such times, help us to remember that You are there. Direct our heart to loving you even more, and give us the patience which Christ Himself demonstrated in His own hour of trial. Surely, as He prevailed, so we can too. Help us in this, O faithful and glorious God. Amen.