New Testament 6
Lecture 12
2 Thessalonians 3: 6-18
Outline:
•	     Admonition to:	
•	C. to discipleship			3:6-13
•	D. to isolation				3:14-15
•	 
•	V. AFTERWARDS			3:16-18
•		A. Prayer for Peace		3:16
•		B. Proof of authority		3:17
•		C. Prayer of Benediction		3:18

Introduction
•	This first section is a continuation of the previous admonitions section.  Paul is in the process of _________________________up the epistle.  He has a few things left to say.  He has saved these words for the last. Those readers who were familiar with Paul’s first letter would know that he loved them.  But he still writes with _________________________authority which came from the authority of our Lord.  
The Situation
•	Some had quit working because of the apparent return of the Lord which the felt they had missed.  They became _________________________troublemakers.  What was Paul’s order to the brothers concerning one who was living in idleness? _________________________
•	___________________________________.
•	“to live idly” is to walk _________________________God and has a military use of walking in rank.  He calls them brothers even though they are engaged in these.
•	 Admonition to Discipleship (3:6-13)
“Keep away” from means “to withdraw from”.  The Greek is “stellesthai” which is a present middle infinitive. It originally meant “to get ready”, “to equip”, in reference “to equipping an army for an _________________________or for sailing.”  It then meant “to bring together” or “gather up” as one gathers or tucks up clothes under the arm.  From this comes the idea of inner gathering or withdrawal from brothers out of_________________________. (Rogers & Rogers, Linguistic Key, 485). 
Verse 7:
“You yourselves know how you ought…”ought carries a _________________________and spiritual necessity to it. Paul referred to the example that he and his fellow workmen set before the _________________________of the Thessalonians.  They were not idle nor disorderly. They marched to the step of the Lord.  
The Meals…verse 8?
Paul says that he did not eat without paying for it.  The word comes from “dorean” which means a_________________________.  Apparently, Paul, even as he was with Jason, paid for his own meals.  The point is that Paul and his associates had pure_________________________.  He worked with toil and labor to provide for his own needs.
Verse 9…
It was not that Paul and the others did not have a right to expect the others to care for them. It was that they wanted to be an _________________________for the others and forewent what could have been demanded.  Paul cannot be charged with poor motives here.  (See 1 Cor 9:3-27).  This does not teach against _________________________ministry, but seems to imply the need for such at times. (Paul received gifts from the Philipians, Phil 4:14-17).
Verse 10
Paul taught industriousness in Thessalonica.  “Let him not eat” is Paul’s _________________________for the man who will not work.  Robertson suggests this may be a Jewish proverb based on _________________________3:19.  Through Timothy Paul learned of busybodies.  They were not doing any work.  
A Description of The Busybodies
Three participles are used to describe these folks:
•	 Living in_________________________– peripatountas…ataktos
•	 walking about…meden ergazomenous
•	 not doing any _________________________…perigazomenous
Not the similarity of “doing nothing at all but doing around.”
Robertson’s Critique:
“These theological _________________________were too pious to work, but perfectly willing to eat at the hands of their neighbors while they piddled and frittered away the time in_________________________.” (p. 60, quoted by Hobbes. ).  
“Command and Exhort” (v 12)
Are strong words by Paul the apostle based upon divine _________________________as seen by “in the Lord Jesus”.  What was the command? That with _________________________they work and are able to keep on eating bread.
To the Orderly
Paul said, “do not be weary in doing well.”  The Greek text has the “_________________________” written out and this adds emphasis (you and you alone).  Or it could be “you, yes you, as compared to the busybodies.”  The verb is an aorist subjunctive that is preceded by the negative me. This means “Do not begin to be_________________________.”
Weary (v. 13)
Renders the verb egkakeo (from en, in  and kakos, evil), to become tired, lose_________________________, despair, or behave badly.  Except for _________________________Gospel (18:1), it occurs only in Paul’s letters (2 Cor 4:1; 17, Gal 6:9; Eph 3:13; 2 Thes 3:13).  
Well doing
Is a verb meaning to do well, beautifully, _________________________.  It is found only here in the NT, but is used in the LXX and other_________________________.  So do not behave badly in doing well.  What an always needed exhortation or admonition.
Verse 14 – An Ultimatum
Robertson calls this verse an ultimatum. Since the troublemakers did not listen to the first letter, Paul tosses out a_________________________.  “Note that man”…this means to put a tag on him, to mark him off as different, especially as a _________________________maker.  This is the only place in the NT that this word is used.  A related word, “sign – semeion” is used 27 times in the NT, 13 times in John’s Gospel for Jesus’ miracles.  
“Have nothing to do”
With this man.  The Thessalonians were to have no contact with this man. What was the purpose of _________________________this man from Christian fellowship?  That he might be ashamed. The idea is that he might correct his _________________________about what he is doing or not doing.  
(v. 15) The Proper Viewpoint? D. Isolation
He is not an enemy per se.  He is a brother. So, don’t hate him, but love him.  “Warn” is the proper thing for another Christian to do to this brother. Church discipline should seek to reclaim and strengthen, not destroy and denounce. 
V. Afterwards 3: 16-18
Paul will now offer a prayer for_________________________, give proof for the _________________________of this letter and write a prayer of benediction.
•	Prayer for Peace (3:16)
Note again Paul’s use of the word “Lord” and not “_________________________.”  He wants to continue stressing the role of our Lord in contrast to that of the “Man of Lawlessness” and possible in contrast to those who do not serve the Lord in the _________________________manner mentioned in the previous verses.
Paul’s Heart is Tender
As he prays for their _________________________at all times and in all ways.  He prays for peace within them as individuals and as a corporate _________________________of believers.  Unity should be sought after.  
B. Proof of Authority (3:17)
Paul shows that his letter has his seal of approval and mark of authority. The verse literally reads, “The greeting by the _________________________of me, Paul.”  You can recall the discussion of amanuensis or not. Whatever is meant here, Paul is sure to show that the Thessalonians can know he was the_________________________.  
The Mark of authority
In contrast to what Paul told the Thessalonians to do to their out of _________________________brothers, he says that he has put a tag on his letter.  This was to safeguard from _________________________letters. (See:
 1 Cor 16:21 -
Gal. 6:11 -
Col 4:15 -
C. Prayer of Benediction (3:18)
This is the same as 1 Thess 5:28 except Paul adds “all”.  He did not exclude the _________________________ones.  Though he disagreed with them, he still treated them “as a brother.” This was to serve as a benediction to their _________________________to all Christians.