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Time after Pentecost · Proper 28 · Year C

2 Thessalonians 3:6-13

A Warning Against Idleness

November 19, 2028

The Sower, Jean-François Millet
The Sower, Jean-François Millet, 1850Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
A single figure striding down a hillside at dusk, face in shadow, arm out in mid-throw. It was attacked as politically dangerous when shown, for making a labourer monumental.Those who sow in tears will reap with shouts of joy, and Paul tells the idle to work; this is the sowing part, and it is hard.Jean-François MilletA founder of the Barbizon school (1814-1875), who painted peasant labour at a scale previously reserved for history painting and was attacked as a political radical for it.Museum of Fine Arts, BostonOne of the oldest American museums, founded in 1870, with a collection that runs from Egyptian to contemporary and a famous Japanese holding.Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
LSB Three-Year Lectionary
GospelLuke 21:5-28Lk 21:5-28
Epistle2 Thess. 3:6-132 Thes 3:6-13
Old TestamentMal. 4:1-6Mal 4:1-6
PsalterPs. 98Ps 98

Overview & Insights

"Anyone unwilling to work should not eat." (2 Thessalonians 3:10)

Paul instructs the church to keep away from believers living in idleness rather than following the pattern of hard work he modeled among them. He closes with a plea not to weary in doing what is right.

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Commentary

2 Thessalonians 3 Commentary2 Thes 3 Commentary Enduring Word · David Guzik

Walks verse by verse through Paul's instructions about idleness and steady work.

2 Thessalonians 3 Commentary2 Thes 3 Commentary Precept Austin

Gathers verse-by-verse notes and outside sermons on the letter's closing instructions.

2 Thessalonians 3:6 Commentaries2 Thes 3:6 Commentaries BibleHub

Stacks multiple classic commentators on the command to keep away from idleness.

2 Thessalonians 3 (Barnes' Notes)2 Thes 3 (Barnes' Notes) StudyLight

Offers a close reading of Paul's closing charge to the church.

Commentary on 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13Commentary on 2 Thes 3:6-13 Working Preacher

The site's single Lutheran voice on Paul's call not to grow weary in doing right.

2 Thessalonians 3:6 Interlinear2 Thes 3:6 Interlinear BibleHub

Lets you check the underlying Greek of Paul's instruction about idleness.

The Church Fathers

2 Thessalonians 3 Catena2 Thes 3 Catena Catena

Collects patristic comments verse by verse across the closing chapter.

Art & Music

Art, music and hymns for 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13Art, music and hymns for 2 Thes 3:6-13 Vanderbilt

The Vanderbilt Divinity Library index of visual art, hymns and music chosen for this reading.

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