Live in Harmony with One Another

In 2 Thessalonians 3:6, Paul said, "But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us." Now Paul reinforces that command with these words: "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" (vs. 11-12). In the Greek, the words "not working at all, but are busybodies" (v. 11b) is a play on words. Literally it means, "not busy, but busybodies."

What came to Paul's attention was that some not only refused to work, but they used their time to wander around and interfere in the lives of others in the church. He described this to Timothy in this way, "And besides they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not" (1 Tim. 5:13). They became a burden to the church, creating disunity and discord in the process. These people were beginning to affect the loving harmony and effective witness of the church. Such are commanded to "work in quietness" (v. 12b) and to care for their own families. In this way, they would promote harmony in the church instead.

To them, and to all of us, Paul says to live in harmony with one another. Note verse 13: "But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good." The danger is that you might "grow weary in doing good" (v. 13b), or that you might become indifferent to real needs because of those in the church who have refused to work and have become a needless burden. Don't let that happen!

In Isaiah 58:7, God commends those who "divide [their] bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into the house." Let that describe you! Never become so weary of those who are a burden, that you forget those in real need. Work to provide for yourself and to care for those who are truly in need. In that way, you can and will live in harmony with one another. Amen.