Read & explore together
A Warning against Idleness
In this letter section, the writers give a firm warning about anyone who walks in rebellion, is not willing to work, and becomes a busybody. They pair this warning with their own example and with careful correction.
Understanding the passage
The setting of these words
These verses speak directly to fellow believers. The writers command in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, refer to the tradition received from us, remind readers how they behaved among them, and address reports about some who do not work at all.
2 Thessalonians 3:6–15Main takeaway
Believers should respond seriously to anyone who walks in rebellion, is not willing to work, and does not obey this letter, while still admonishing that person as a brother.
Follow the letter’s teaching
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Withdraw from rebellious conductThe instruction begins with a command in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Believers are to withdraw from every brother who walks in rebellion and not after the tradition received from us.
Explanation
The instruction begins with a command in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Believers are to withdraw from every brother who walks in rebellion and not after the tradition received from us. The issue is not a small preference, but conduct that refuses the teaching already given.
02Follow the example givenThe writers point to their own conduct. They did not behave rebelliously, and they did not take bread without paying.
Explanation
The writers point to their own conduct. They did not behave rebelliously, and they did not take bread without paying. They worked with labour and travail night and day. They say this was not because they lacked the right, but so they could be an example to imitate.
03Not willing to workThe command is stated plainly: if anyone is not willing to work, don’t let him eat. The reported problem is also described plainly.
Explanation
The command is stated plainly: if anyone is not willing to work, don’t let him eat. The reported problem is also described plainly. Some do not work at all, but are busybodies. These people are commanded and exhorted in the Lord Jesus Christ to work with quietness and eat their own bread.
04Correction with brotherly concernOthers are told not to be weary in doing what is right. If someone does not obey this letter, believers are to note that person and have no company with him so that he may be ashamed.
Explanation
Others are told not to be weary in doing what is right. If someone does not obey this letter, believers are to note that person and have no company with him so that he may be ashamed. Yet the passage sets a limit on this correction: do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What details show why the writers say, “imitate us”?
Look for how they describe their conduct, their payment for bread, and their work night and day.
02How does the passage describe the difference between not working and working rightly?
Compare “don’t work at all, but are busybodies” with “work with quietness and eat their own bread”.
03How should believers treat someone who does not obey this letter?
Keep both parts together: no company with him, yet admonish him as a brother, not an enemy.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
2 Thessalonians 3:6–15
6Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw yourselves from every brother who walks in rebellion and not after the tradition which they received from us.
7For you know how you ought to imitate us. For we didn’t behave ourselves rebelliously among you,
8neither did we eat bread from anyone’s hand without paying for it, but in labor and travail worked night and day, that we might not burden any of you.
9This was not because we don’t have the right, but to make ourselves an example to you, that you should imitate us.
10For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: “If anyone is not willing to work, don’t let him eat.”
11For we hear of some who walk among you in rebellion, who don’t work at all, but are busybodies.
12Now those who are that way, we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ, that they work with quietness and eat their own bread.
13But you, brothers, don’t be weary in doing what is right.
14If any man doesn’t obey our word in this letter, note that man and have no company with him, to the end that he may be ashamed.
15Don’t count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.