Paul's Exhortations to the Thessalonian Church 2nd Letter Volume 21

Paul Warns them Against Idleness Part 3

2 Thessalonians 3:11-12 For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.  KJV

The fact that Paul (an Apostle of our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ) provided his own food and shelter among the new belivers in the city of Thessalonica when he could have (because of his authority as an Apostle) commanded the members of this new Church to support him, makes the fact that some of the believers there who now were slothful and spunging off the generosity of others in the Church makes Paul send this command to them and to all others who would desire to become like them. Not only were some of these people freeloading, but they then used there time to gossip, that is, divulge personal information about other people without their consent causing Paul much grief. This word had come to the Apostle Paul most likely from the report he received from Timothy after he came back from visting the Church there, so Paul writes this to them acknowledging his awareness of what was going on with some, "For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies." (2 Thessalonians 3:11) (KJV).

The little English phrase 'are busybodies' is used this one time only in the entire New Testament and it is translated by one Greek word periergazomai which simply means a meddler, that is, an officious annoying person who intrudes and interferes with other peoples affairs unwantedly and in an offensive manner. In other words, believers are not to be actively going about meddling in the affairs of others causing them problems by intruding unwantedly in their business just as the Apostle Peter (in his first letter) warned believers then and we believers now to avoid suffering for Christ by virtue of doing things that are harmful, hateful, and hurtful to other people (even to our enemies the two-legged devils) when he wrote these words, "If you are censured {and} suffer abuse [because you bear] the name of Christ, blessed [are you--happy, fortunate, to be envied, with life-joy, and satisfaction in God's favor and salvation, regardless of your outward condition], because the Spirit of glory, the Spirit of God, is resting upon you. {On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.} But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or any sort of criminal, or as a mischief-maker (a meddler) in the affairs of others [infringing on their rights]." (1 Peter 4:14-15) (Amplified Bible).

In the short time the Apostle Paul was with them physically, he had commanded them to do just the opposite of being busybodies or meddlers when he reminded them of such in his very first letter to them with these words, "To make it your ambition {and} definitely endeavor to live quietly {and} peacefully, to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we charged you, So that you may bear yourselves becomingly {and} be correct {and} honorable {and} command the respect of the outside world, being dependent on nobody [self-supporting] {and} having need of nothing." (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12) (Amplified Bible).

In stark contrast to this behavior of meddling in other peoples business was Paul's desire to see everyone taking care of their own affairs without causing trouble for others in the Church but instead being mindful to do good to one another void of gossip and tale telling, so Paul makes this command to them "Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread." (2 Thessalonians 3:12) (KJV). So in distinct opposition to their meddling or bustling about in the affairs or business of others, they should work or labor for their own food and shelter without making boastful assertions of doing just that, but instead minding their business and taking care of their own things. The little English phrase 'them that are such' is used here by the Apostle to describe the busybodies and it is translated by one Greek word toioutos meaning truly this, that is, of this sort (to denote character or individuality): - like, such (an one). In other words, Paul wants all of his admonitions, warnings, and commands to be directed only at the individuals who are idle meddlers in the business of others.

"What a degrading thing to live on the bounty or mercy of another, while a man is able to acquire his own livelihood! He who can submit to this has lost the spirit of independence; and has in him a beggar’s heart, and is capable of nothing but base and beggarly actions. Witness the great mass of the people of England, who by their dependence on the poor rates are, from being laborious, independent, and respectable, become idle, profligate, and knavish; the propagators and perpetrators of crime; a discredit to the nation, and a curse to society. The Apostle’s command is a cure for such; and the Church of God should discountenance such, and disown them." Adam Clarke

"The Apostle Paul in giving his direction to Timothy on how the Churches should take care of widows in the congregation, also at the same time warned Timothy to be weary of being to freely to give to every widow, for some were using their status as such to spend their time doing just what Paul commands against here in this epistle to the Thessalonians and that is being busybodies in the affairs or business of others as he declared to Timothy with these words, 'But refuse [to enroll on this list the] younger widows, for when they become restive {and} their natural desires grow strong, they withdraw themselves against Christ [and] wish to marry [again]. And so they incur condemnation for having set aside {and} slighted their previous pledge. Moreover, as they go about from house to house, they learn to be idlers, and not only idlers, but gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not say {and} talking of things they should not mention. So I would have younger [widows] marry, bear children, guide the household, [and] not give opponents of the faith occasion for slander or reproach. For already some [widows] have turned aside after Satan. If any believing woman {or believing man} has [relatives or persons in the household who are] widows, let him relieve them; let the Church not be burdened [with them], so that it may [be free to] assist those who are truly widows (those who are all alone and are dependent).' (1 Timothy 5:11-16) (Amplified Bible)." Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...

Sincerely in Christ,

Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…