II Thessalonians Chapter IIIb

CHAPTER 3

10For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if anyone is not willing to work, neither let him eat. 11For we hear that some among you are walking disorderly, not working at all, but are busybodies. 12Now such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that working with quietness they may eat their own bread. 13But you, brethren, do not begin to lose heart in doing good.

Alms are to be given to those who are unable to support themselves.

Chrysostom: “But alms are given to those only who are not able to support themselves by the work of their own hands, or who teach, and are wholly occupied in the business of teaching. "For thou shalt not muzzle the ox," he says, "when he treadeth out the corn." (Deut. xxv. 4.) "And the laborer is worthy of his hire." (1 Tim. v. 18, and Luke x. 7.) So that neither is he idle, but receives the reward of work and great work too.”

14And if anyone obeys not our word through the epistle, be noting for yourselves that man and cease associating with him, in order that he might be ashamed.

Correct a person through gentle means:

Chrysostom: “In that case, he says, I have spoken of a mild remedy, that you withdraw yourselves from him, that is, do not partake with him in free conversation; show that you are angry. This is no little matter. For such is the reproof that is given to a brother, if we wish really to amend him. . . He who admonishes his brother, does it not publicly. He does not make an open show of the insult, but he does it privately and with much address, and grieving, as hurt, and weeping and lamenting.”

Excommunication a means of healing

Chrysostom: “He tells us to withdraw from every brother that walks disorderly. . .If we ought to withdraw ourselves from one who was only supported in idleness, how much more from the others. And that you may know how fearful a thing it was to be separated from the company of the brethren, and what advantage it produces to those who receive reproof with a right mind, hear how that man, who was puffed up with sin, who had proceeded to the extreme of wickedness, who had committed such fornication as is not named even among the heathens, who was insensible of his wound-for this is the excess of perversion-he after all, though such an one, was so bent down and humbled that Paul said, "Sufficient to such a one is this punishment which was inflicted by the many. Wherefore confirm your love toward him." (2 Cor. ii. 6, 8.) For as a member separated from the rest of the body, so was he at that time.”

The Church is a Communion of Believers- we have lost this sense of Unity & Love

Chrysostom: “For like men who inhabit one house, and are under one father, and partake of one table, so did they then dwell in every Church. How great an evil therefore was it to fall from so great love! But now it is not even thought to be a great evil, because neither is it considered any great thing when we are united with one another. What was then in the order of punishment, this, on account of the great coldness of love, now takes place even apart from punishment, and we withdraw from one another causelessly, and from coldness. For it is the cause of all evils that there is no love. This has dissolved all ties, and has disfigured all that was venerable and splendid in the Church, in which we ought to have gloried.?”

15And yet do not continue to deem him as an enemy, but be admonishing him as a brother.

Our attitude toward the poor

Chrysostom: “For when by reason of his poverty he is compelled to beg, and is insulted on account of his begging, think how great will be the punishment of those who insult him. "He that dishonors the poor," it says, "provokes his Maker." (Prov. xiv. 12, 31, Sept.) For tell me, did He suffer him to be poor for your sake, that thou might be able to heal thyself- and you insult him who for your sake is poor? What obstinacy is this! What an act of ingratitude is it! "Admonish him as a brother," he says, and after having given, he orders you to admonish him. But if even without giving we insult him, what excuse shall we have?”

16Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace continually in every way. The Lord be with you all.

Strive for peace with all

Chrysostom: “So that they may have no occasion of contention from any quarter. For everywhere peace is a good thing, even towards those who are without. For hear him elsewhere saying, "If it be possible, as much as in you are able, be at peace with all men." (Rom. xii. 18.) For nothing is so conducive to the right performance of the things which we wish, as to be peaceable and undisturbed, and to be free from all hatred, and to have no enemy."


17The greeting of Paul by mine own hand, which is a token in every epistle; so I write.

18The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. [2 Thess. 3:10-18]

Grace is the product of synergy between us and God

This the Lord also promised, saying to His disciples, "Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world." (Matt. xxviii. 20.) But this takes place when we are willing. For He will not be altogether with us, if we place ourselves at a distance. . . Let us not therefore drive away grace.
This prayer also we may offer for ourselves, if we do the things of the Lord. For hear Christ saying to His disciples, "Go ye and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world." (Matt. xxviii. 19, 20.) If you do these things, assuredly. For that the promise is not made to them only, but to those also who walk in their steps, is manifest from His saying "to the end of the world."
For as a lamp, when it is shining, is able to light ten thousand others, but being extinguished will not give light even to itself, nor can it lighten other lamps; so also in the case of a pure life, if the light that is in us be shining, we shall make both disciples and teachers numberless, being set before them as a pattern to copy. For neither will the words proceeding from me be able so to benefit the hearers, as your life. For let a man, tell me, be dear to God, and shining in virtue, and having a wife; (for it is possible for a man having a wife and children and servants and friends to please God;) will he not be able much more than I to benefit them all?