II Thessalonians 3
Suffering's Temptation
Part of Thessalonians
January 19, 2022


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II Thessalonians 3

Suffering’s Temptation

Pastor Ehi Giwa
01/19/2022

Points to ponder: Understanding Paul & the 3 Questions

  1. What is the overarching message of the book?
  2. How does this chapter apply to the book?
  3. How do the paragraph and verse apply to the chapter?

Core Concepts

  1. Purpose: Thriving Through
    Reveal Answer
    .

    a. Paul’s Suffering Before Arrival
    b. Military Hub & Imperial Cult
    c. Free Society

  2. Enduring Suffering
  3. Echoes of the first letter: Work of Faith - Labor of Love - Steadfastness of Hope


Key Points

  1. Paul’s first stack – Suffering can lead to

    Reveal Answer
    idleness.

    • Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you, —II Thessalonians 3:1 ESV
    • and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For not all have faith. —II Thessalonians 3:2 ESV
    • Steadfastness of Hope
      But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one. —II Thessalonians 2:1-10 ESV
    • Work of Faith
      And we have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will do the things that we command. —II Thessalonians 3:4 ESV
    • Labor of Love
      May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ. —II Thessalonians 3:5 ESV
      “Suffering can push the believer towards
      Reveal Answer
      idleness.”

  2. Pauls second stack - Suffering can produce

    Reveal Answer
    idleness.

    • Paul connects this to what the workmen he’s addressing and how it would relate. He is both correcting an issue and making a connection point.
    • The command
      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. —II Thessalonians 3:6 ESV
      7 For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, 8 nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. 9 It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate. 10 For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. —II Thessalonians 3:7-10 ESV

      Note: Remember the dual nature of the Pauline style at play here…


      11 For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. 12 Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. —II Thessalonians 3:11-12 ESV

  3. Into the Oven - Paul’s conclusion to the Thessalonians.

    13 As for you, brothers, do not grow

    Reveal Answer
    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. —II Thessalonians 3:13-15 ESV

    Note: An idle brother is not your enemy. He may have succumbed to the temptation of suffering, weary idleness.

  4. What do we do with this? Do not be

    Reveal Answer
    , especially when suffering.

    “You will reap if you do not faint.”

  5. Action Item: What area of my life, Spiritually or Physically, have I become idle in?

Notes: