Epistles of Paul 15

Good evening, brethren. After a couple of studies, we've been covering Thessalonians. We hope today to complete the second epistle of Thessalonians. In fact, we're going to cover the third chapter. As we mentioned, Paul, after a visit which became difficult after a very short period of time, he then went, left Thessalonika, and ended up in Corinth, where he stayed there for a few years. And from Corinth, he wrote to the Thessalonians to encourage the brethren and address the number of issues. If we just quickly glance in 1 Thessalonians chapter 3, 1 Thessalonians chapter 1 verse 3, he said there that he encouraged them about the work of faith, the labor of love, and the patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. So then later in chapter 4, we see also still in 1 Thessalonians, we see that he pleased for them for a number of things.

One of them in verse 3 is for sanctification by abstaining from sexual immorality. And then we see in verse 11 that he also writes to them for them to work with their own hands, not to be busy bodies. And in verse 18, he's concluding a section there about comforting them regarding those that have fallen asleep. In chapter 5 of 1 Thessalonians, he then emphasizes that the Day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night. And that seems to have generated some misunderstandings and questions. And also there was some disorderly behavior and unreasonable behavior that seems to have persisted. And so he wrote 2 Thessalonians. And we see, particularly in chapter 2 of 2 Thessalonians, which is a key chapter where it tells the brethren of two key events before the return of Jesus Christ, which have to happen before the return of Jesus Christ. One is the falling away or the apostasy, and the other one is the man of sin, which we addressed quite considerably in previous studies. Paul then describes how people are deceived because they did not receive the love of the truth. And so he then covers that at the end of that chapter as well. So Paul then thanks God for them in chapter 2, which is basically thanks God for us as well. They called out once, and then it tells them, and it tells us, to all the fasts, to the traditions which we're taught, whether by word or by our epistle. And that we read in chapter 2, verse 15. We now move to chapter 3, which is where we want to get into today.

And let's read 2 Thessalonians chapter 3, verse 1. Finally, brethren, pray for us that the Word of God, that the Word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified just as it is with you. So he's praying and asking the brethren to pray for us. In other words, to pray for the ministry that the truth may be preached and glorified. And this is because there is an enemy. We have an adversary, which is Satan, but he works through human beings quite often and through a number of things that happen to us. But there is a ministry, an enemy, I beg your pardon, and therefore, he then in verse 2 continues, that we may be delivered. And that he's talking about the ministers, the ministry, that in this case was Paul and Timothy and others that were with him in Silas, but he is praying that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked man, unreasonable and wicked man. And in the rest of the section of this chapter, he's basically talking about those unreasonable and wicked man. He focuses in one area of unreasonableness, but the principle applies in this case to us as ministers because we quite often encounter unreasonable man, which gives us in the ministry certain challenges, to put it that way, and therefore, he's asking, please pray for us that we may be delivered from these unreasonable and wicked man, for not all have faith. And basically, he's talking about unreasonable man in the church. This is what he's talking about. He's talking about unreasonable. The word there is a Greek word atopos, 824, and it's a similar word that we're gonna talk about a little later today. So this word, unreasonable atopos, which means disorderly, unmanageable persons out of their place.

It's like under no discipline, regardless of law or restraint, acting disorderly and following unreasonable impulses of their own minds. And sometimes we find, as in the church, people that get into some arguments of words, and as they get caught into this little corner, they become more unreasonable. And it becomes difficult to deal with people like that. And we've got to be careful that we don't get caught up in these traps.

Barnes' commentary puts it this way. Man who acted amiss in properly, that's Barnes' commentary on this chapter 3 verse 2, and it says, Man who were not found in the right place, who had not the right views of things. And then it says, and probably does not refer so much to their being positively wicked or malicious.

Maybe not by intent, but when we read in verse 2, it says, From unreasonable and wicked man. So I'll take that statement from Barnes with a little bit of a pinch of salt. But anyway, as Barnes refers, he says, as to their putting things out of the proper place. So yeah, Barnes is emphasizing this point of being unreasonable by being people that put things out of their proper place, in other words, out of their context, or take something out of its context, or see things in a slightly different way, which causes certain problems. Continue reading, yeah, and Barnes, he says, they gave an undue prominence to certain things, and less importance to others than they deserved. They had a distorted vision of the value of objects, and in tenacious adherence to their own views. We see this quite often when people start taking a little argument about words, or, and then they become very tenacious about their views, and forgetting about the big picture. They get involved in this twig, and they make out of this twig a big issue and becomes a big argument. I have seen that many times. And then Barnes concludes by saying, and prosecuting their own objects to the exclusion of all others, they presented a constant obstruction to the true gospel. So yeah, we have some people, which is talked to as unreasonable men, taking an unreasonable side of an argument, and causing some problems to the actual growth of the work, of God's work, in this case, of the work that the ministers, in this case, Paul was doing. That's why he says, yeah, in chapter three verse one, pray for us. And in verse two, that we may be delivered from these sort of people, unreasonable. And Paul even says, and wicked, for not all have faith, not all have the same trust and faith in God that we have, even though they may be in the church. So this is something to be careful. And we find today various types of these people, causing divisions and hindering the work. We have seen this happening in the past, in the church, men causing division. In other words, they're not of faith. They're not trustworthy. They're not faithful. And it's some people that we just can't really confide in, because they get caught onto one thing instead of looking at the big picture. And that is a problem. Look at verse three.

And we have confidence in the Lord. In other words, God is faithful. God is faithful. But he is now making the people aware that the real enemy is Satan, because he says, but the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one, which is Satan. So Paul is actually trying to encourage the brethren, and we're going to see that a little later. He's trying to encourage the brethren through some positive reinforcement to say, hey, I know that you're going to be protected. And that is trying to say, hey, I really hope that you will be protected, because in the end, it's our decision. If we and I, if we are close to God, if we are following God's principles, if God's Holy Spirit is in us, then God is going to guide us, because God is faithful. But a lot of it depends also on us. We really have to realize it depends on us. And therefore, he's saying, God will keep you from Satan's tricks. Satan's was. Satan's deceptions and trickery. Now, if we just briefly look at Matthew 6 verse 13, that's part of what we call the Lord's Prayer. I'd rather call the model prayer. But Matthew 6 verse 13 says, and in the prayer says, in the second part of the prayer, but deliver us from the evil one. We really need to pray that God will help us not to be led into temptation, and particularly, as we as Satan puts various little tricks around us for us not to be caught by these tricks. Let me just mention a few, and there are many tricks, but let me mention a few tricks of Satan that he can create and cause problems. For instance, a spirit which is rebellious, angry, and hostile. That clearly is something coming from Satan. Let's just look at a few scriptures about that. The first one is 1 Samuel 15 verse 23. 1 Samuel 15 verse 23. In 1 Samuel 15 verse 23, you know the story about at this time when Saul was rejected as a king, and then he says, Samuel says to Saul, For rebellion is as the son of witchcraft. Brethren, there is no such thing as godly rebellion.

As I heard some people citing that 12 years ago in a sermon, there is no such thing as godly rebellion. Rebellion is as the son of witchcraft and stubbornness as iniquity and idolatry. Are we stubborn or are we teachable and malleable? And so when we have this rebellious and hostile and angry spirit, that's a problem. That's a problem. Look at Proverbs 17 verse 11. Look at Proverbs 17 verse 11.

Proverbs 17 verse 11.

An evil man seeks only rebellion. We've got to be careful of rebellion and that spirit of disagreeing with something and being stated in an untined way. I'm not saying we have to agree to everything, but there is a way of saying, no, I actually don't agree with that in a kind way.

Look at another scripture, Romans 13 verse 1 and 2, that we have to be subject to authorities because if we're not subject to authorities, it's talking in the context of rebellion. So Romans 13 verse 1 and 2.

Let me just turn there for Romans 13 verse 1 and 2.

It says, let every soul be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore, whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. So we've got to be careful of that. Look at Isaiah 63 verse 10.

Sorry, just pages today are not turning as quickly. Clearly the page's fault.

Right, okay. Isaiah 63 verse 10. But they rebelled and grieved His Holy Spirit. So it's talking about the Israelites. They didn't obey God. They rebelled and grieved God's Holy Spirit. So when there is rebellion, we are disappointing God. That's by series. God's love, God's grace, God's Holy Spirit. And look at a fruit or outcome of rebellion in Hebrews chapter 3 verse 15. Hebrews chapter 3 verse 15.

It says, while it is said today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion. So we can see that rebellion leads to a hardening of the hearts. You become rebellious and you take a strong point, and that means your heart hardens. And we need to be careful with that. And so that's one of the tricks of Satan, rebellion. We've got to be careful. Another trick I said I'll mention a few is pride and willingness to forgive. We know, for instance, James chapter 4 verse 6, when it says, God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. Because we know that's basically a satanic attitude.

Also look at 1 Timothy chapter 6 verse 4. And that ties in with this type of situation. A bigger part of 1 Timothy chapter 6 verse 4. It says, He's proud, knowing nothing, but He's obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil, suspicions. So we got to be careful about disputes about words.

We've got to be careful with that. And basically, it's an outcome of pride. So what do we have to do? He's going to be clothed with humility. 1 Peter chapter 5 verse 5. Let's look at 1 Peter chapter 5 verse 5. It says, Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, costing all your care upon Him who cares for you. Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary, the devil, walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom I devour. So here we have, if we're proud, we're more susceptible to the evil one. But if we humble ourselves, we are fighting more effectively the devil. We really got to humble ourselves. Humility is so important. It's so important. Then let's look at the act of forgiveness. And again, back to the model prayer in Matthew 6 verse, or just after the model prayer, obviously it mentions in the model prayer, forgive our trespasses, forgive them that trespass against us. But then in Matthew 6 verse 14 and 15, it says, immediately after the model prayer, 4, if you forgive man their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

But if you do not forgive man their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

It really disturbed me. One visit I did to a couple, this man was coming into the church, was not in this country, but the woman was a so-called Christian, Sabbatarian, but she had an issue with one of her children and she said, I will never forgive her.

And I said to her, how can you say that to your daughter? How can you say that? And I went to the scripture and to others and I said, you can't do that. You have to forgive, regardless. So a proud and an unwilling spirit to forgive is not from God, it's from that evil one.

Also, there are other attitudes that we have that we've got to be careful. In Philippians chapter 4 verse 12, in Philippians chapter 4 verse 12 talks to us about being content in whatever state we are. Let's just get to it so I can read it correctly. In Philippians chapter 4 verse 12, he says, I know how to be abased and I know how to be abound. Everywhere and in all things I've learned, both to be full and to be angry, both to abound and to suffer need. That's in verse 12. And then in verse 13 he says, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. But in verse 11, which is the one I wanted to have read, and I misread, misquoted, sorry, not I speak in regard to need, for I've learned in whatever state I am to be content. So we've got to always be content. So if we are dissatisfied with who we are continuously unhappy, maybe I'm not talking about people that have problems with chemistry in their brains or something like that, because that does happen too. But do we have a spirit of being discontent all the time? We've got to be careful because Paul says, yeah, in whatever state I am, I've learned to be content. Another problem, which is another trick of Satan, is to compromise with sin. A spirit that compromises with sin. Look at 1 Timothy chapter 4 verse 16. 1 Timothy chapter 4 verse 16 says, take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Don't compromise with the doctrine. Continuing them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you. So don't compromise with doctrine.

Take heed. Be careful. Look at 2 Thessalonians chapter 2 verse 15. So we're going back to what we read a little earlier. It says, therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or by our epistle. So whether you read it in God's word or by the epistle of God's apostles, take heed to the doctrine and hold on to the traditions. There's nothing wrong with traditions provided they are based in the scriptures. So don't compromise with sin. So going back to where we were reading in verse 3 of 2 Thessalonians chapter 3, it says, the Lord is faithful who will establish you and guard you from the evil one. And so I've just diverged a little bit by talking about a few of the tricks of Satan, of the evil one, that we have to watch. Now, obviously, there are many others, but I just mentioned a few. So we do not need to fear Satan because we have God on our side if we obey and do the things that are pleasing in his sight. 1 John chapter 3 verse 22, it says, and whatever we ask, we receive from him because we keep his commandments and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. So it is more than doing the commandments. He's doing what is pleasing in God's sight, and that is a point for you to meditate on and examine yourself and for me to examine myself. Now, let's continue reading then in verse 4 of 2 Thessalonians chapter 3. And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, both that you will, that you do, and will do. We have confidence that you do and will do.

So, Yah is a very encouraging, positive statement that says, hey, if you are close to God, if you are doing what's pleasing to God and he's keeping his commandments, if you don't give up, if you stay faithful, if God's Spirit is working with you and me and us, I know that we're all imperfect. I know that we all do false. I know that we all fail.

Yes, we do, but if God's Spirit is working with us, God will deliver us and will guard us from the evil one. And that's why it says, and we have confidence in the Lord concerning you because God will do his part and will help you, provided you do yours. So he says that you do and will do the things we command you. Ah, the things that the apostles are instructing. That is very interesting because we see an apostolic authority given by Christ to the apostles and to God's ministers.

It's not a dictatorship, but it is for their good to be helpers of their joy. And so, Yah is something that Paul is saying, we are commanding you certain things. Now, understanding the context that he's talking about as we read in verse 2, that he's talking that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked man. And then he says, God is faithful, will protect you from the evil one. We know that you do, you do, and you will do what we're telling you to do. So let's understand. There is a context, about some unreasonable demands, some disorderly behavior that was persisting.

And he's addressing that. He's addressed in chapter 2, this other misunderstanding or questions that they had, because when he spoke in 1 Thessalonians about the Lord's coming, coming, I mean Christ's coming being as a thief in the night and before the Lord's day, or the day of the Lord. And then, and then he also was addressing in 1 Thessalonians some disorderly behavior. And now that he is tackled in chapter 2, the question about the Lord's coming as a thief in the night, and he explained that there will be two key events falling away first, and a man of sin to be revealed.

Now he's addressing the other issue of disorderly behavior, because he says, we pray that we may deliver from this unreasonable man, this disorderly behavior. And then he says, yeah, in verse 4, we have confidence in the Lord concerning you that you do and will do according to the things we command you. So what is this? And then he wraps it up nicely by saying, now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ.

So as we handle these disorderly situations that will happen, may God help you, help me, help us all in our hearts with God's love, God's grace, God's kindness, which is basically through his Holy Spirit, right? Because God's Spirit is a spirit of love, God is love, God's Spirit is a spirit of love, joy, peace, faithfulness, goodness, kindness. So God's Spirit will help us through that, which is God's love, which is what? What is God's love? God's love is action. God's love is not just an emotion. I'm not saying God does not have an emotion and feeling of love for us, but God's love is action.

He gave his Son, his only Son, to die for us. So it's action. And then, it's not just direct our hearts into the love of God, which is this action of our to gain concern for others, right? So it's action of what is best for others, but also into the patience of Christ. In other words, Christ's capability of patiently enduring against difficult situations, people that are being unreasonable in whatever situation.

Now, this specific situation that of unreasonableness is going to address now from verse 6, but it could be any type of unreasonable or disorderly behavior from some people in the church. And therefore, we need in our hearts God's love, which is the capability of even under these unreasonable situations of certain people, that we may express an outgoing love for others, doing the best for those other people.

And at the same time, have this patience of Christ. In other words, that we have this capability to endure through these difficult situations and these trials as Christ is. Now, understand, I'm not talking about that you are going to be allowed to be rolled over and be abused. That's not what I'm talking about. So let's keep a balance in there. But in verse 6, the contingency says, but we command you. Remember, in verse 4, we just said that you do and will do the things we command you.

And in verse 6, it says, but we command you, brethren. So what is he talking about specifically regarding these unreasonable and wicked man, these disorderly people? What is it? We command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who works disorderly.

Now, it doesn't mean that it's just a minor thing. It really is something that needs to be addressed.

So, and then he says, and not according to the tradition which he received from us. You know, it was the brother received from us. So what is the tradition?

You see, so Paul is saying, withdraw from those that are not being taught by the teaching that the apostles gave. You know, because not according to the tradition which you received from us, the practice, the behavior, the conduct, the example that he's getting from us.

So what we see here is brother who works disorderly. Now, the word disorderly is the Greek word atactos, which is an adverb. Now, let's just briefly remember why is he raising this up again, because this was raised up in the first letter. So in 1 Thessalonians chapter 4, verse 11 and 12, 1 Thessalonians chapter 4, verse 11 and 12, well, it starts a little section there from verse 9 through 12. And we went through that, which is concerning brotherly love. And then he says in verse 11, that is telling about them that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you. So we get back to this apostolic authority command, say, hey, work with your own hands and don't be a busy body. Mind your own business. Don't start kind of getting and talking about people and this and that and whatever, when you should actually be engaged and working. So be careful with that. Verse 12, that you may walk properly toward those who are outside and that you may lack nothing. So if you are working, you're not going around and being a bad example to those outside as well. Look at also in 1 Thessalonians chapter 5 verse 14. It says, now we exhort you brethren, warn those who are unruly. The word unruly is Greek word 813, arachtos, which is spelt very similar to the previous word 814 that we read in chapter 4 verse right, a big part of chapter in 2 Thessalonians chapter 3 verse 6. In 2 Thessalonians chapter 3 verse 6 says, withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly. That's 814, a taktos, an adverb. And in 1 Thessalonians chapter 5 verse 14, unruly is the word also a taktos or arachtos, spelt the same but having a slightly different accent, which is an adjective.

So what do we have here? It says there is a problem here. Some people wear disorderly, and as we saw in 1 Thessalonians chapter 4 verse 11, he told them to work with their own hands, as we commanded you. And so, whatever reason, maybe they had an excuse to say, well, Jesus Christ is coming soon, and therefore we don't have to work or something like that.

But now we're going to continue reading in 2 Thessalonians chapter 3 verse 7, because in verse 6 we saw, we throw from those who work disorderly, in other words, in this manner of not working. And you say, how can you say that it's not working? Well, because let's read this context. But you're right, the disorderly behavior could be around various points, could be a generic approach, unreasonable and wicked men, as we read in verse 2 of 2 Thessalonians chapter 3 verse 2. But let now let's read verse 7 through 9. For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly amongst you. We were not a tactile, in other words, that's the verb, disorderly, amongst you. Nor did we eat anyone's bread free of charge, but worked and labored and toiled night and day, there we may not be a burden to any of you. In other words, we're not disorderly, we were working. So in Thessalonians he signed to Thessalonians, he said, we came there and we worked. We went busy bodies, we were working.

Not because we do not have authority.

What do you mean? We don't have authority to receive tithes from you and therefore to live off the tithes. Not that we have, we do not have that authority. But to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us, we at Liberty made an example because you knew there were certain people out there that were not working, therefore we were working. And this is true to Thessalonians and also also true in Corinth, as we'll see a little later in a moment. So let's continue reading.

Not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us.

So what does that mean? It means that they received a tradition from Paul, an example from Paul, to work. Those that were lazy should be subordinate to the leaders and work.

And so it is like in a society where is a spirit of, well, I have a right to receive money from you or I have a right, I'm entitled to just receive money from somebody else.

And it's an interesting thing. Again, I remember once I went on a counseling session with somebody else and this person, with your respect, was trying to learn about the way and things like that, and I had to show him that his thinking was incorrect. But he was telling me, and he was using the parable of Matthew 25, verse 31 to 36. So let's just look at Matthew 25, verse 31. And because this man is a man that was not working, and he came to me and says, look at this book, for the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, will call his own servants and deliver these goods to Dan.

Right, and then, wait, I'm reading in the wrong verse, should be Matthew 25, verse 31.

Now, when the Son of Man comes in his glory and all the holy angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. All nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate them one from another as a sheep devises sheep from the goats. And he'll set the sheep on one on his right side and his goats on the left. And then the King will say to those on his right hand, come you, bless of my Father in the relative kingdom, prepare for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry, and you gave me food. I was thirty, thirsty, and you gave me drink. And so this individual was saying, I didn't even know him very much. I was kind of just teaching him. And he was saying, hey, you need to give me money. The Church has to help me, because you see, how are you going to defend yourself in front of Christ? Because, yeah, I am hungry, and you're not giving me money. So, you see, people can be a little bit disorderly. Do you follow what I mean? Can take a scripture and put a different town to it to kind of manipulate you to say, hey, I am poor, I don't have food, so you've got to give me money. Now, I'm not saying that we don't help those people, but we are talking about an attitude, a spirit, that this individual, bright individual, capable individual, able well to speak. And I said, hey, why aren't you being, you know, a professional like a salesman? Yeah, maybe you have other problems, but you could be a salesman, because you're quite capable, you think quite clearly, and things like that, and you are able to speak things, and you could be in a business selling respectfully things to people, and you could have some income.

So, Paul is saying, yeah, we have authority, not because we do not have authority. We do have authority. What does he mean by that? Look at 1 Corinthians chapter 9. 1 Corinthians chapter 9, because remember, he's writing this letter from Corinth, and in that area and that region, so he's on Corinth, but also in Thessalonica. Let's read the situation here, or this kind of feeling. 1 Corinthians chapter 9 verse 3. He says, My defense to those who examine me is this. Do we have no right to eat and drink?

Do we have no right to take along a believing wife? If I, as a minister, travel, don't I have a right to take my wife with me in this visit?

Do also other apostles, like the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas, in other words, and Peter. So, yeah, it's an interesting point. Peter had a wife. Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working? In other words, is it only Barnabas and I that have no right to refrain from working in the industry?

And then he brings the exalt. I mean, okay, granted, in Corinth, he was doing a job, he was working to show them as an example, like he was showing an example to the Corinthians, that he worked. And so he says, whoever goes to war at his own expense, who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its fruit, who tends a flock and does not drink from the bulk of the flock, do I say these things as a mere man? Or does the law say the same also? For it is written in the law of Moses, you shall not muzzle an ox where it threads out of the grain. Or while it threads out the grain. Is it oxen that God is concerned about?

And then he goes on about the importance of tithing. And then he says, even so, verse 14, the Lord has command that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel. So a very important point here. So you were saying that he has a right to live from the times. You look at 2 Corinthians 11, 2 Corinthians 11, verse 7 through 9, 2 Corinthians 11.

Verse 7 through 9 says, Did I commit sin in humbling myself that you might be exalted?

Because I preached the gospel of God to you free of charge, I robbed other churches, taking wages from them to minister to you. And then he says, what does he mean by that? In other words, it's like when I go to Brazil. I am not using the tithes of the Brazilian to preach the gospel in Brazil. I'm using the tithes of American brethren so that I can go to Brazil and preach the gospel to them free of charge. So in a sense, I am robbing the churches in America, taking wages from the churches in America to go and preach in Brazil free of charge to minister to you. And when I was present with you and in need, I was a burden to no one for what I lacked the brethren who came from Macedonia supplied. And in everything, I kept myself from being burdensome to you. And so I'll keep myself. So you're saying, when I had a need, the brethren from other church areas came with their tithes, with their offerings, and helped me.

And so let's continue then in verse 10 of 2 Thessalonians chapter 3. For even when we were with you, we commanded you this, if anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. So you can see in the context, he's talking about these disorderly people that are not working.

And we saw that in 1 Thessalonians. I showed you that example a little earlier. Is YAH bringing a number of specific signs. These people were disorderly, were not working. Now the principle of being disorderly, as I said, is a principle. He was using one specific situation that was applicable in that region. But the principle is a general principle applicable also to other situations. So he says, among you in verse 11, For we here there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busy bodies. So you can see the context is very clear. And so in verse 12, Now those who are such, we command those that are disorderly. So we're talking specifically in that instance about disorderly not working. But the principle is, as we read from verse 2, a little bit earlier that we read early on today, he's saying, we pray for us that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked man. So the principle is more encompassing. And so he says, yeah, now those who are such unreasonable or not working, whatever, we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they may work in quietness and eat their own bread. So he was talking about the specific situation that they were having there. Now in verse 13, But as for you brethren, do not grow weary in doing good.

So even though we encounter these people, there are disorderly, in this case was not working. But the principle of being disorderly and unreasonable, and maybe starting to get carried away with tweaks rather than the trunk of the tree, which affects the effectiveness of the Gospel, for us, our part, is as we see this, let's not be wary in doing good. Just because other people are not, let's call it, doing what they should do, that does not give you and I a reason to just say, oh well, therefore I'm going to stop doing good now. And then he goes on in verse 14. And if anyone does not obey our word in the Sea-Prestle, so if people don't obey this command, that's the instruction to not be disorderly, but to be orderly, to be not to be unreasonable, but to be reasonable. If they don't obey this word in the Sea-Prestle, note that person. He's not saying that make a big mistake. Note to yourself that person, and do not company with him that he may be ashamed. Now that means treating him in a certain gentle way, because he says, yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonishing him as a brother. So there is some balanced way to approach this, and we need to ask God for wisdom. We need to ask God for loving kindness, how we approach the situation, because every situation is different. And so do not count this brother that acts in a disorderly fashion as an enemy, but admonish gently, as it's proper. Sometimes the people don't want to hear it, but so you've got to be wise about it, but treat him as a brother still. But be careful, because it says, note that, and do not keep company with him. So there is, yeah, like a dichotomy, and we have to act with wisdom in this situation. And then he concludes in verse 16 and 17 and 18. Now, by the Lord of peace, in other words, by the God, God, which is a God of peace, that is a God of harmony. God wants peace in the church. Wants this peace between individuals, wants this harmony, wants this accord. When we go to church, we don't want it to be stressful. We want it to be loving and peaceful. So may the God of peace himself give you peace, always in every way. Then may God help you to have you that you may have a tranquil confidence through Christ, feeling nothing from God. So may God help you to have this confidence in a tranquility in peace because you're doing what is correct. And it says, in every way, the Lord be with you always. And he says, a salutation of Paul with my own hand, which is a sign in every person's soul. All right, so even though he had somebody else write the letter for him, the whistle for him, at the end he wrote the final words and sign to prove that it was a genuine method from him. And then he concludes in verse 18, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. In other words, the grace, the favor, the blessing, the presence of God in us. How? Through God's Holy Spirit. In other words, may God's Holy Spirit and through his goodness and kindness be with you always. Amen. So that is a very concluding, very encouraging letter addressing certain issues about Christ's coming and addressing some issues about people being disorderly or being unruly. And it was on a specific situation that unreasonableness or that disorder was happening, but it is a general principle that you can always apply. So, brethren, thank you so much for your participation. And with this, we conclude our study. And our next study will be an introduction and then the beginning of the book of Galatians.