We instruct you, brothers, in the name of [our] Lord Jesus Christ, to shun any brother who conducts himself in a disorderly way and not according to the tradition they received from us. 7 For you know how one must imitate us. For we did not act in a disorderly way among you, 8 nor did we eat food received free from anyone. On the contrary, in toil and drudgery, night and day we worked, so as not to burden any of you. 9 Not that we do not have the right. Rather, we wanted to present ourselves as a model for you, so that you might imitate us. 10 In fact, when we were with you, we instructed you that if anyone was unwilling to work, neither should that one eat. 11 We hear that some are conducting themselves among you in a disorderly way, by not keeping busy but minding the business of others. 12 Such people we instruct and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to work quietly and to eat their own food. 13 But you, brothers, do not be remiss in doing good. 14 If anyone does not obey our word as expressed in this letter, take note of this person not to associate with him, that he may be put to shame. 15 Do not regard him as an enemy but admonish him as a brother. 16 May the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.
Some of the Christian community at Thessalonica were anticipating the Parousia, the imminent return of the risen Lord, and had stopped working to earn a living. It appears as if they misinterpreted some of Paul’s teaching, so he tells them not to be disturbed by rumors about the Parousia (2 Thess. 2:1-2).
Paul instructs them, in the name of Jesus Christ, to avoid believers who are leading idle and disorderly lives that are not in accordance with the teaching of the apostles which was handed on to them, and to quietly return to their daily work. He encourages them to follow the example he, Silvanus, and Timothy gave them when they were among them on Paul’s second missionary journey. Those who are unwilling to work should not eat. Some of the community were idle busybodies and Paul instructed them to mind their own business and work quietly so they will be able to support themselves.
Paul tells the community to never cease in doing what is right. They should not fraternize with those who do not conform to the moral and ethical standards of the community. Those errant brothers should be forgiven, corrected, and encouraged (2 Cor. 2:6-7; Gal. 6:1).
Almighty God, grant us a deep, inner peace and love of Christ so that all enmity may be removed from our hearts. Grant us the assurance that all things, even our greatest sufferings, will be for our good. This we pray through Christ our Lord and may your peace which surpasses all understanding guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen!
Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Upper Saddle River, NJ, United States, Prentice Hall, 1990.
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