2 Thessalonians 3:6-13 (NRSV)
Read 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13 on biblegateway.com
Verse 6Now we command you, beloved, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from believers who are living in idleness and not according to the tradition that they received from us. Verse 7For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us; we were not idle when we were with you, Verse 8and we did not eat anyone's bread without paying for it; but with toil and labor we worked night and day, so that we might not burden any of you. Verse 9This was not because we do not have that right, but in order to give you an example to imitate. Verse 10For even when we were with you, we gave you this command: Anyone unwilling to work should not eat. Verse 11For we hear that some of you are living in idleness, mere busybodies, not doing any work. Verse 12Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. Verse 13Brothers and sisters, do not be weary in doing what is right.
Devotion
Some Thessalonians believed false claims that Christ had returned. Therefore, they quit working. Today, people quote verse 10, "Anyone unwilling to work should not eat," to deny support for people who are under- or unemployed. However, Dr. Mariam Kamell (workingpreacher.org, 2013) maintains that translations that refer to "idleness" or "laziness" rather than more accurately to "disorderly" or "disruptive" behavior miss the author's play on words in his reference to "work" and "work mischief" in verse 11. Thus translated, we might imagine some of the nonworking Thessalonians were possibly "busybodies" who were causing trouble by spreading the rumors Christ had returned.
We often believe rhetoric, fail to check accuracy and spread rumors via social media far faster than could the Thessalonians! We can use the internet to reinforce our biases or we could seek impartial truth and diverse viewpoints. As we increase awareness and work for reconciliation, our call echoes the Thessalonians’ call, "do not be weary in doing what is right" (verse 13).
Prayer
Enduring God, praise and thanks to you for this new day that you have made! Help us to use it wisely. Forgive us for times we have been idle, disruptive "busybodies," or rumormongers of hurtful, false claims. Today, this week, and always, please give us the focus, energy and courage to "not be weary in doing what is right." Amen.