13 As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good. 14 If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed. 15 Do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.” (2 Thessalonians 3:13–15 (ESV)
The Apostle Paul, Silas and Timothy brought their second letter to the Thessalonian believers in Christ to a conclusion. Their final comments were not a seemingly disjointed collection of random thoughts. Rather, today’s text directly related to the immediately preceding context of chapter 3:6-12.
Paul and his companions began with the statement, “As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good.” In contrast to those who preferred to be idle and not work, Paul encouraged the faithful brothers in Christ to not grow weary in their work for Christ. To grow weary (ἐγκακήσητε; enkakesete) means to be discouraged, to lose heart, and to give up. Sometimes, much like Asaph in Psalm 73, believers may become disillusioned in their walk of faith in the Lord.
Paul said to not grow weary. He also emphasized believers are not to be discouraged in doing good (καλοποιοῦντες; kalopoiountes). This referred to doing what was right and holy before the Lord and other people. This is the ultimate work and labor God calls believers to perform.
“The hard-working believers were tired of having to support the lazy. They were ready to stop all help to those in need, giving up all charity. Paul reminded them the truly needy still required help and the Thessalonians must not be negligent toward them,” explains Dr. John MacArthur.
John Calvin states, “Paul admonishes us, that, although there are many that are undeserving, while others abuse our liberality, we must not on this account leave off helping those that need our aid. Here we have a statement worthy of being observed — that however ingratitude, moroseness, pride, arrogance, and other unseemly dispositions on the part of the poor, may have a tendency to annoy us, or to dispirit us, from a feeling of weariness, we must strive, nevertheless, never to leave off aiming at doing good.”
Paul continued by writing, “If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed.” Paul commanded the church to presently, personally and obediently take note (σημειοῦσθε; semeiousthe) or pay attention to those who were idle and were unwilling to work, even though they were able.
The apostle also stated the church was to no longer associate (συναναμίγνυσθαι; synanamignysthai) and be in the company of such idle individuals. This appears to be overly harsh but absolutely necessary. The reason for this instruction was so the idlers would become ashamed (ἐντραπῇ; entrape) or embarrassed by their behavior.
Often, well-meaning believers seek to assist the idle. They take pity upon them and endeavor to assist them however they can. The idle are more than willing to accept such assistance, and to continue to expect, and be entitled, to it. Consequently, when the idle do not receive what they expect from the church, or para-church ministry, they usually become angry and leave the church, only to find another church of well-meaning believers wherein the process repeats itself. The Scriptures command believers to break this cycle of perpetuating irresponsibility towards the idle.
Paul cautioned the believing community by writing, “Do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.” The believer’ attitude in such situations is critical.
“Paul is telling us that we are to love excommunicated people, not hate them. The goal of church discipline is to “gain” an errant believer (Matt. 18:15), so restoration must be our goal. The hearts of unrepentant people are not softened by our hating them but by our continuing to reach out in love insofar as it is reasonable and we are able. We are not to interact with excommunicated people in a way that makes them think we view them as believers, but that does not mean we cease to love them,” explains Dr. R. C. Sproul.
John Calvin comments, “As to those that the Church marks out by the severity of its censure, Paul admonishes that they should not be utterly cast away, as if they were cut off from all hope of salvation; but endeavors must be used, that they may be brought back to a sound mind.”
May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here. May the Lord also provide wisdom in such circumstances. Have a blessed day in the Lord.
Soli deo Gloria!
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