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The Bible and Work
The Bible and Work
Some in the church at Thessalonica who were able to work apparently chose
not to do so. Instead, they expected others to provide for their physical needs.
In addressing this issue, the apostle Paul wrote to the church in that city, "Now
we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly . . ." (1Thessalonians 5:14). The Greek word for unruly is ataktos. This word "was especially
a military term, denoting 'not keeping rank, insubordinate'; it is used in 1Thes. 5:14, describing certain church members who manifested an insubordinate spirit, whether
by excitability or officiousness or idleness" (Vine's Complete Expository
Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words, 1985, "Disorderly").
Being idle or lazy is not in step with God's expectations of our behavior.
In Paul's second letter to this same congregation, he again addressed this situation:
"But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you
withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly (ataktos) and not according to the
tradition which he received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to follow
us, for we were not disorderly (atakteo) among you; nor did we eat anyone's bread
free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be
a burden to any of you, not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves
an example of how you should follow us" (2Thessalonians 3:6-9).
Paul, to show that his motives were pure and to avoid being accused of taking advantage
of the members of Thessalonica, cited his own example of having worked to support
himself when he was in the area earlier. Although he had the right to be supported
by them in exchange for his ministering to them (1Corinthians 9:1-18), he chose
not to.
Paul continued: "For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone
will not work, neither shall he eat. For we hear that there are some who walk among
you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. Now those who
are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness
and eat their own bread" (verses 10-12).
Since other biblical instruction calls for helping the needy (Matthew 19:21; Galatians 2:10), Paul is obviously correcting those who were able to work but chose not to
do so. If we are able, God expects us to work so we can provide for our own needs
and not unnecessarily burden others.
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