one step: 2 Thessalonians 3.3

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.
1 Thessalonians 3:11-12

There is a lot of debate amongst scholars regarding the “idleness” and busybody behavior of the Church in Thessalonica. Some believe that members of the church were not working because they were a part of the Greek system of benefactors and brought that lifestyle of dependency upon a wealthier supporter into the church.* Others believe that members of the church stopped working because they believed that Jesus had or was about to return, so they had no motivation to work.* Other scholars believe that certain members of the church did not work because they, like the Greeks, decided that manual labor was beneath them, choosing “spiritual work” above manual labor.*

Whatever the case, Paul did not approve.* Their actions were distracting from the spread of the Gospel, and they were meddling in the affairs of others unnecessarily.* Paul provides an interesting alternative for these members of the church who acted as busybodies: do work quietly, make one’s own living.

We live in a culture that encourages us to “have a voice,” “make a statement,” and believes that everyone should share their opinion in the public forum. While I would not generally argue against these sentiments, we can all fall into the error of always saying something even where there’s nothing to say. We can be busy saying and doing things but never accomplishing anything eternal. We can get tied up in get-rich-quick efforts and try to find the easy road.

There is a way that is quiet. It involves hard work. It involves doing the simple things right. It includes spreading the Gospel in a way that our work is part of our message to the world around us.

Today, take a step.

Maybe today the one step God wants you to take is to slow down and find silence. Perhaps today God wants you to simply work to make a living. Maybe today God wants you to abandon the busyness and embrace the simplicity of working for God and sharing His Gospel.

Whatever the step, ask God to direct it. Take a moment to take that step. Invite Him to speak. He will.

Life is a long road. Walk it with Jesus.

Feel free to comment at the bottom of this page! We would love to hear from you!

*Holmes, M. (1998). 1 and 2 Thessalonians (pp. 273–274). Zondervan Publishing House.
Shogren, G. S. (2012). 1 & 2 Thessalonians (pp. 327–329). Zondervan.
Green, G. L. (2002). The letters to the Thessalonians (pp. 350–353). W.B. Eerdmans Pub.; Apollos.
Kim, S., & Bruce, F. F. (2023). 1 & 2 Thessalonians (D. B. Capes, Ed.; Second Edition, Vol. 45, pp. 666–669). Zondervan Academic.
Morris, L. (1984). 1 and 2 Thessalonians: An introduction and commentary (Vol. 13, pp. 143–144). InterVarsity Press.
Beale, G. K. (2003). 1–2 Thessalonians (pp. 255–257). InterVarsity Press.
Weima, J. A. D. (2014). Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament: 1–2 Thessalonians (R. W. Yarbrough & R. H. Stein, Eds.; pp. 616–621). Baker Academic.

one step: 2 Thessalonians 3.2

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.

2 Thessalonians 3:6

Paul is not afraid to use strong words, but he still maintains a posture of humility. Early in verse six, Paul uses the word “command.” This strong, instructional term is of military origin.* Coupled with the phrase, “in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,” Paul is evoking the highest authority in the universe.* Paul is not messing around. Can you imagine telling your children, “I command you to clean your room!”?? Can you imagine some member of leadership in your community commanding you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to change some action in your life? Paul is very serious about whatever is going on in the Church of Thessalonica (more on that in a later devotional).

Nestled in the middle of these strong words, Paul reminds the Church of Thessalonica of their relationship with him: brothers. Paul’s use of the term “brother” is inclusive of sisters as well, and it serves as a reminder of the familial relationship of the church as the family of God.* Paul wants the Thessalonians to remember that his words come not from a distant, lording superior, but as an affectionate reminder from family, though strongly spoken.*

How many times do we shirk away from saying what needs to be said because we are afraid that we will sound mean or unkind? Self-awareness and emotional intelligence are important. Empathy and understanding are important vehicles of love for our brothers and sisters in Christ. But, truth is truth and we are called as followers of Jesus to walk in His ways.

Maintaining a posture of humility and equality under Christ must serve as the bedrock of every difficult conversation we must have. Imagine if Paul did not function in his role and correct the Church when needed? We would not have the New Testament as we know it. Imagine if the Church in Thessalonica did not receive that correction. Where would they be? Would 2 Thessalonians even exist?

Remembering that we are brothers and sisters can help us receive and give correction when needed. Remembering this will help us as the Church to walk in the ways of Christ while not carrying offense. Good correction is never fun, but it’s always important.

Today, take a step.

Maybe today the one step God wants you to take is to humbly remind someone under your care or leadership that there is a better way to walk in Jesus. Perhaps today there is some correction that God has given you through someone else that He wants you to receive. Maybe today God wants you to remember that despite the imperfections of us all, we are the family of God.

Whatever the step, ask God to direct it. Take a moment to take that step. Invite Him to speak. He will.

Life is a long road. Walk it with Jesus.

Feel free to comment at the bottom of this page! We would love to hear from you!

*Holmes, M. (1998). 1 and 2 Thessalonians (pp. 268–272). Zondervan Publishing House.
Holmes, M. (1998). 1 and 2 Thessalonians (pp. 272–273). Zondervan Publishing House.
Shogren, G. S. (2012). 1 & 2 Thessalonians (pp. 324–325). Zondervan.
Green, G. L. (2002). The letters to the Thessalonians (pp. 343–345). W.B. Eerdmans Pub.; Apollos.
Kim, S., & Bruce, F. F. (2023). 1 & 2 Thessalonians (D. B. Capes, Ed.; Second Edition, Vol. 45, pp. 651–656). Zondervan Academic.
Kim, S., & Bruce, F. F. (2023). 1 & 2 Thessalonians (D. B. Capes, Ed.; Second Edition, Vol. 45, pp. 657–660). Zondervan Academic.
Morris, L. (1984). 1 and 2 Thessalonians: An introduction and commentary (Vol. 13, pp. 140–141). InterVarsity Press.
Beale, G. K. (2003). 1–2 Thessalonians (pp. 248–254). InterVarsity Press.
Weima, J. A. D. (2014). Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament: 1–2 Thessalonians (R. W. Yarbrough & R. H. Stein, Eds.; pp. 601–606). Baker Academic.

one step: 2 Thessalonians 3.1

Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you, and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For not all have faith.

2 Thessalonians 3:1-2

With what motive do we pray? In the life of Paul, he often found himself in places and times of persecution for the Gospel.* This is something that he shared with the Church in Thessalonica.*

Interestingly, Paul gives two reasons for asking for prayer from the Thessalonians: 1) that the Gospel would speed ahead and be honored, and 2) that they (Paul and his team) would experience deliverance from their enemies.

We know that Paul’s first point of prayer aligns with Scripture as Psalm 147:15 tell us,

He sends out his command to the earth;
    his word runs swiftly.

Paul spent his life fixated upon and dedicated to the running of the Word to the world.* His prayer put this mission before his own salvation from his current peril. Despite his knowledge that deliverance would one day come in the return of Christ, Paul asks for deliverance from his enemies in the present.* But, is it okay to ask for deliverance from pain and trial? Paul did.

Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:33,

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Sometimes we may think that suffering and persecution come as a package deal with the spread of the Gospel. While this is often true (Jesus promises that we will have troubles in this life), Paul models to us that it is neither unspiritual nor unholy to ask that the Gospel spread quickly while simultaneously asking to escape persecution.

As we pray and seek first the Kingdom of Heaven, we should put the spread of the Gospel ahead of our own comfort, but God cares about our comfort and safety as well. In this life, we will endure difficulty, but we can call out for deliverance. God cares.

Today, take a step.

Maybe today the one step God wants you to take is to seek first His Kingdom. Perhaps today God wants you to call out to Him for deliverance. Maybe today God would have you pray for the deliverance of someone you know and love.

Whatever the step, ask God to direct it. Take a moment to take that step. Invite Him to speak. He will.

Life is a long road. Walk it with Jesus.

Feel free to comment at the bottom of this page! We would love to hear from you!

*Holmes, M. (1998). 1 and 2 Thessalonians (p. 256). Zondervan Publishing House.
Shogren, G. S. (2012). 1 & 2 Thessalonians (pp. 315–316). Zondervan.
Green, G. L. (2002). The letters to the Thessalonians (pp. 334–337). W.B. Eerdmans Pub.; Apollos.
Kim, S., & Bruce, F. F. (2023). 1 & 2 Thessalonians (D. B. Capes, Ed.; Second Edition, Vol. 45, pp. 640–644). Zondervan Academic.
Morris, L. (1984). 1 and 2 Thessalonians: An introduction and commentary (Vol. 13, pp. 137–139). InterVarsity Press.
Beale, G. K. (2003). 1–2 Thessalonians (pp. 235–243). InterVarsity Press.
Weima, J. A. D. (2014). Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament: 1–2 Thessalonians (R. W. Yarbrough & R. H. Stein, Eds.; pp. 584–588). Baker Academic.

one step: 2 Thessalonians 2.3

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

This world offers us a lot of things that we truly need. We need love. We need hope. We need comfort. The list of our needs doesn’t end here, but these needs are mentioned by Paul in 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17. And the world promises to meet these needs, like all others that we have. The only problem with this world is that it cannot deliver on the things that we need. If not immediately, the world will eventually fail us. The world, try as it may, can only hand us an empty counterfeit.

How many of us need love? Paul says that God loved us and that our God gave us something the world cannot: eternal comfort. There are things in this world that may bring some level of comfort (like the comforter on my bed), but it is shallow and hollow compared to that eternal comfort that God offers.

I have had some rough days. On those days, I turn to God, and I turn to things that bring me some comfort: my family, a warm cup of tea, a walk around the neighborhood, etc. These things are gifts from God that bring me some temporary comfort in a present difficulty; I thank Him for them. The comfort of God, however, is an unending and inexhaustible comfort that sustains us until the end of time (and beyond).* It’s not just for the moment.

Think about that. Comfort that doesn’t end. I have had pain that seemed like it wouldn’t end. I’ve had difficulty and hardship that had no end in sight. The comfort of God is enough for that and more because it has no end. Pain has an end for those who believe, and that is our hope.* Even though pain ends, though, His comfort doesn’t.

Think about that some more. Pain ends, but His comfort doesn’t. Why would His comfort continue when the cause of our need for comfort (pain, sin, etc) disappears? Wow does God love us!

Furthermore, the eternal comfort of God isn’t skin deep. He comforts our hearts and establishes our hearts in word and deed.* What does this mean? As we walk faithfully, with hearts pointed toward Him, doing what He asks us to do and saying those things He asks us to say, He will reach to the depths of our hearts even when our circumstances are anything but comfortable and establish us in Him.* How much comfort do we find in that feeling of steadiness and anchoring that only He can provide? How amazing is it to be anchored even while in a storm?

The world cannot help us in this way. The world cannot comfort us in our hearts (inmost being) when life is broken and hurting. When we turn to the world for comfort, we only find more emptiness and brokenness. Any comfort we experience from this world isn’t deep enough, and it doesn’t last long enough.

Today, take a step.

Maybe today the one step God wants you to take is to allow Him to comfort you… eternally. Perhaps today He wants you to receive the hope that He has for you: the end of pain and sorrow by being with Him in eternity. Maybe today God wants you to know that He loves you.

Whatever the step, ask God to direct it. Take a moment to take that step. Invite Him to speak. He will.

Life is a long road. Walk it with Jesus.

Feel free to comment at the bottom of this page! We would love to hear from you!

*Holmes, M. (1998). 1 and 2 Thessalonians (pp. 254–255). Zondervan Publishing House.
Shogren, G. S. (2012). 1 & 2 Thessalonians (pp. 306–307). Zondervan.
Green, G. L. (2002). The letters to the Thessalonians (pp. 330–333). W.B. Eerdmans Pub.; Apollos.
Kim, S., & Bruce, F. F. (2023). 1 & 2 Thessalonians (D. B. Capes, Ed.; Second Edition, Vol. 45, pp. 632–637). Zondervan Academic.
Morris, L. (1984). 1 and 2 Thessalonians: An introduction and commentary (Vol. 13, pp. 136–137). InterVarsity Press.
Beale, G. K. (2003). 1–2 Thessalonians (pp. 231–234). InterVarsity Press.
Weima, J. A. D. (2014). Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament: 1–2 Thessalonians (R. W. Yarbrough & R. H. Stein, Eds.; pp. 559–564). Baker Academic.

one step: 2 Thessalonians 2.2

So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.

2 Thessalonians 2:15

In our culture, how much do we value tradition? In a world that is increasingly deciding to move away from religion (known for upholding traditions), experiencing broken homes (ending or drastically changing family traditions, thus diminishing their sense of permanence), and ever-pushing toward change and embracing “the new",” the word “tradition” is not valued in the way it once was in times past.

Our view toward tradition (increasingly negative or indifferent) can skew our understanding of Paul’s words.

Per Holmes, in his writings, Paul references three types of tradition:*

1. gospel tradition - refers to the central gospel message (see e.g., 1 Cor. 15:1–3)*

2. church tradition - refers to information that shapes the practices of the congregation (see e.g., 1 Corinthians 11:23–25)*

3. ethical tradition - refers to proper Christian behavior (e.g., 1 Cor. 7:10; 1 Thess. 4:1–2)*

In the case of 2 Thessalonians 2:15, Paul speaks of the Gospel tradition. Effectively, Paul is telling the Church in Thessalonica to “hold tight to” those things that they have learned through Paul, from God, about Christ and His work. Hardly things to be disregarded, we can learn from this that tradition…

1. …should not always be discarded merely because it is called “tradition.” For example, if we discard the traditions mentioned in 2 Thessalonians 2:15, we would not be abandoning empty, meaningless practices. We would be rejecting the very life and purpose of Christ.

2. …may in some cases come from God. The gospel tradition (also translated as “teachings” by some), comes from God.* He initiated the Gospel story, and He instructed that we pass it along to others. Traditions are to be weighed heavily before we step away from them. Do these traditions point toward Christ and His message and purpose? If so, we might want to be sure that we aren’t throwing away the gospel tradition with the church tradition (the two should be closely tied).

3. …the gospel tradition is worth holding tight to. We must not let go of the truth and teachings of Jesus Christ. In a world that makes place for corruption, hurt, persecution, and deception, the gospel is worth holding onto.

Today, take a step.

Maybe today the one step God wants you to take is to hold tight to the Gospel. Perhaps today God would have you re-examine the traditions in your life to see if they are moving you toward or away from Christ. Maybe today God wants you to thank Him for tradition.

Whatever the step, ask God to direct it. Take a moment to take that step. Invite Him to speak. He will.

Life is a long road. Walk it with Jesus.

Feel free to comment at the bottom of this page! We would love to hear from you!

*Holmes, M. (1998). 1 and 2 Thessalonians (pp. 253–254). Zondervan Publishing House.
Shogren, G. S. (2012). 1 & 2 Thessalonians (pp. 304–306). Zondervan.
Green, G. L. (2002). The letters to the Thessalonians (pp. 329–330). W.B. Eerdmans Pub.; Apollos.
Kim, S., & Bruce, F. F. (2023). 1 & 2 Thessalonians (D. B. Capes, Ed.; Second Edition, Vol. 45, pp. 628–631). Zondervan Academic.
Morris, L. (1984). 1 and 2 Thessalonians: An introduction and commentary (Vol. 13, pp. 135–136). InterVarsity Press.
Beale, G. K. (2003). 1–2 Thessalonians (p. 231). InterVarsity Press.
Weima, J. A. D. (2014). Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament: 1–2 Thessalonians (R. W. Yarbrough & R. H. Stein, Eds.; pp. 556–559). Baker Academic.