Warning Against Idleness

Franklin L. Kirksey & Dr. Ralph F. Wilson

Dr. Albert Barnes (1798-1870)
Theologians

2 Thessalonians 3:6-15

Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that
you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord
with the tradition that you received from us. For you yourselves know how you
ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, nor did
we eat anyone's bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked
night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. It was not because
we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate.
For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone
is not willing to work, let him not eat. For we hear that some among you walk in
idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. Now such persons we command
and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn
their own living. As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good. 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. Do not regard him as an
enemy, but warn him as a brother.

DISORDERLY WALK

ἀτάκτως
ataktōs
at-ak'-toce

Adverb from G813; irregularly (morally): - disorderly.

Disorderly conduct is “A broad term describing conduct that disturbs the peace
or endangers the morals, health, or safety of a community.”
Idleness
Dr. Albert Barnes (1798-1870)
conduct that is in any way contrary to the rules of Christ

This phrase variously translated "idle" (NIV), "living in idleness" (NRSV),

"walketh disorderly" (KJV) -- both here and in verse 11 -- is a combination of
the verb parapateō, "walk, conduct oneself" and the adverb ataktos, which
means, "not in the proper order." The related verb, atakteō, is found in verse 7.
Originally, it referred to soldiers marching out of order or quitting the ranks,
thus it has the idea of "to be neglectful of duty, to be lawless."

Paul isn't talking about people who can't earn a living because of sickness,
mental instability, age, or infirmity. He isn't talking about widows who have no
support, or orphans whose parents have died. He's talking about people who
could work, but don't.

The reference here is to the members of the church who were irregular in their
Christian walk. It is not difficult, in an army, when soldiers get out of the line, or
leave their places in the ranks, or are thrown into confusion, to see that little
can be accomplished in such a state of irregularity and confusion. As little
difficult is it, when the members of a church are out of their places, to see that
little can be accomplished in such a state.

Indeed, an army would accomplish little if as large a proportion of it were

irregular, idle, remiss, or pursuing their own aims to the neglect of the public
interest, as there are members of the church who can never be depended on in
accomplishing the great purpose for which it was organized

Paul's command to the believers is to "keep away" from these lazy people.

Instead of doing their fair share to support themselves and help the poor in the
Christian community, these idlers are lazy, hanging around other believers, and
then expecting to be asked for dinner and given a place to sleep -- night after
night!

What is the great purpose for which the church was organized? Some would
tell you one thing and others would tell you yet another thing. However, the
great purpose for which the church was organized is the Great Commission as
we find in Matthew 28:18-20.

"And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has
been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing
them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching
them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you
always, to the end of the age."
BIBLICAL WORK ETHIC

Paul is teaching the concept of taking responsibility for oneself and one's
family, a basic concept that is found throughout the Bible. Paul reiterates this
concept to Timothy:

"But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of
his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever."
(1 Timothy 5:8)

Paul ran across laziness elsewhere. In the church of Ephesus he gives

instructions to former thieves: Get a job, do something productive, so that you
may add to the community, not take away from it.

"Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with
his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need."
(Ephesians 4:28)

Hard work is the norm laid out in Genesis:

"By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread..." (Genesis 3:19a)

Paul works in order not to burden the Church

2Th 3:8 nor did we eat anyone's bread without paying for it, but with toil and
labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you.
2Th 3:9 It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in
ourselves an example to imitate.

Cross References:
For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that
we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel
of God. (1 Thessalonians 2:9)

To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and buffeted
and homeless, and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we
bless; when persecuted, we endure; (1 Corinthians 4:11-12)
THE BUSYBODIES

Busybodies
meddle with anyones business

2Th 3:11 For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work,
but busybodies.

περιεργάζομαι
periergazomai
per-ee-er-gad'-zom-ahee

From G4012 and G2038; to work all around, that is, bustle about (meddle): - be
a busybody.

It is interesting to note that most busybodies among those who name the name
of Jesus Christ have control issues. They cannot control their life so they desire
to control yours and mine.

They will not help you unless they are in absolute control. Paul provides a
corrective in Philippians 2:1-4:

“So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any
participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by
being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one
mind. Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more
significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests,
but also to the interests of others.”
(Philippians 2:1-4)

Here, Paul clearly teaches that we should be concerned about helping others.
However, our primary concern is to help others know and do the will of God.

At this point it is helpful to read the “one another” passages in the Bible. For
example, we read in Hebrews 10:24-25:
“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not
neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one
another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:24-
25)

Paul exactly preached idleness (living disorderly) because he was also

criticized by Busybodies in the Church. An example is with the Church of
Corinthians (2 Corinthians 11:5-14):

I consider that I am not in the least inferior to these super-apostles. Even if I

am unskilled in speaking, I am not so in knowledge; indeed, in every way we
have made this plain to you in all things. Or did I commit a sin in humbling
myself so that you might be exalted, because I preached God's gospel to you
free of charge? I robbed other churches by accepting support from them in
order to serve you. And when I was with you and was in need, I did not burden
anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied my need. So I
refrained and will refrain from burdening you in any way. As the truth of Christ
is in me, this boasting of mine will not be silenced in the regions of Achaia. And
why? Because I do not love you? God knows I do! And what I do I will continue
to do, in order to undermine the claim of those who would like to claim that in
their boasted mission they work on the same terms as we do. For such men
are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of
Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. (2
Corinthians 11:5-14)
DO NOT ASSOCIATE WITH LAZY BELIEVERS (3:14-15)

When Paul began this section of the letter, he commanded in no uncertain

terms:

"Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that
you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord
with the tradition that you received from us." (3:6)

Paul commands a sort of shunning of the lazy believers who disobey Paul's
directive. In verse 6, "keep away" (NIV, NRSV), "withdraw yourselves"
(KJV) is stellō, "to keep one's distance, keep away, stand aloof.

In verses 14-15 he explains what this partial shunning should consist of.

"14 If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of
him. Do not associate with him, in order that he may feel ashamed. 15 Yet do
not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother." (3:14-15)

Paul's instruction, his command, has three elements:

Identify the lazy believers.

The first step to solving a problem is to define it -- in this case, note who
exactly fits in this category. Perhaps this "marking" was done in a public
meeting of the congregation, or maybe by the leaders who passed the word.
There are "givers" and there are "takers." The Christian community is a giving
fellowship. Perpetual takers don't fit very well.

Don't associate with these lazy believers.

The verb means, "mingle, associate with." This is similar to the command to
"keep one's distance" in verse 6. The purpose here is not punitive, but to make
the lazy person be ashamed of what he is doing. We are not to treat lazy
believers as enemies -- they are family, they are brothers. Paul says, "Yet do
not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother" (3:15). This isn't as
severe a shunning as Paul calls for in Corinth, where a brother was openly and
flagrantly sleeping with his step-mother (1 Corinthians 5:9, 11). The Amish
shunning that we sometimes hear about goes to the extent of not even talking
to or doing business with a person who is shunned by the community. Paul
doesn't intend that extent of shunning here.

Warn these lazy believers.

The verb means, "to counsel about avoidance or cessation of an improper
course of conduct, admonish, warn, instruct." The elders, who are charged with
admonishing and correcting (1 Thessalonians 5:12) are probably the ones to
do the warning and provide instruction to the lazy believers about how they can
regain their status in the community.
LESSONS FOR DISCIPLES

What are we disciples supposed to learn from this? Paul is encouraging the
church to get back on track and not let these lazy people disrupt, discourage,
or embitter the group. He exhorts them not to grow weary in doing good -- only
to grow wiser.

A congregation, particularly a smaller congregation, can be like an extended

family. Healthy families have a way of exercising a degree of discipline. "Uncle
Ernie is always dropping in just at dinner time. Next time, don't invite him in."
Erring family members aren't invited to family gatherings or parties. Eventually,
they get the idea. Either I conform to the standards of this family, or I won't be
able to enjoy being part of it. Uncle Ernie isn't treated as a enemy, only he is no
longer welcome at meals and to stay the night.

Here are the guidelines given us in the New Testament:

1. Care for your family members so they don't become dependent upon the
church. If you have aged, infirm, or mentally-challenged family members, you
take care of them. That's only right.

2. Everybody who can is expected to do their share to make the family work.
Each has different jobs and responsibilities, but each is important to the welfare
of the whole.

3. If a widow or orphan has no family who can take care of them, the
congregation can take on that responsibility, but only for those who clearly are
unable to take care of themselves. Otherwise, they're expected to remarry or
get some kind of job to earn their keep.

4. If members of the Christian community push these boundaries consistently

and become dependent on others, they are to be identified, warned, and kept
at a distance until they change their ways.

Of course, Paul's letters are designed to guide Christian communities, not

cities, states, or nations. But, if you think about it, most provisions for a "social
safety net" follow these guidelines. To the degree that our laws encourage
dependency by those who can work and contribute to society, they are either
bad laws or administered poorly.

Conclusion

May we sing with Elizabeth K. Mills (1805-1829), “We’ll work till Jesus comes, /
We’ll work till Jesus comes, / We’ll work till Jesus comes, / And we’ll be
gathered home.”[9] Jesus said in John 9:4, “I must work the works of Him who
sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work.”

Dr. Warren W. Wiersbe shares in With the Word, "Some people are
constructionists, helping get the job done. Others are destructionists, busy
tearing things down. A third group is made up of obstructionists who create
problems for the people doing the work. In which group are you?"