lectionary.com

Pentecost Season · Proper 28 · Year C

2 Thessalonians 3:6-13

A Warning Against Idleness

November 19, 2028

A Peasant Family in a Cottage, Adriaen van Ostade
A Peasant Family in a Cottage, Adriaen van Ostade, c. 1661National Gallery of Art, Washington
A Haarlem interior of a poor family at a table, painted warmly and without mockery, which was unusual for the genre.Anyone unwilling to work should not eat: Paul's instruction is harsh in the abstract, and this is a household it would be addressed to.Adriaen van OstadeA Haarlem painter and pupil of Frans Hals who painted peasants for fifty years, moving from caricature to real sympathy.National Gallery of Art, WashingtonGiven to the United States by Andrew Mellon in 1937 on condition it carry no founder's name, so that others would give to it too.National Gallery of Art, Washington
Revised Common Lectionary
GospelLuke 21:5-19Lk 21:5-19
Epistle2 Thess. 3:6-132 Thes 3:6-13
Old TestamentIsa. 65:17-25Is 65:17-25Alt. OTMal. 4:1-2aMal 4:1-2a
PsalterIsa. 12Is 12Alt. PsalmPs. 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.

From Sermons.com: Join Today to access the most scholarly & well written preaching resources anywhere.

Take it further: 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13

Commentary

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

Explains the community tension behind Paul's command about idleness and work.

2 Thessalonians 3 Commentary: Guidance for Church Life2 Thes 3 Commentary: Guidance for Church Life Enduring Word · David Guzik

Evangelical verse-by-verse treatment of Paul's closing instructions.

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

Classic commentators on Paul's command to keep away from the disorderly.

2 Thessalonians 3 Commentary2 Thes 3 Commentary Precept Austin

Verse-by-verse study notes with word studies on idleness and imitation.

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

Greek interlinear for the word behind 'living in idleness' (ataktos).

Background & Word Study

2 Thessalonians2 Thes BibleProject

Video overview of the letter's structure and themes.

The Church Fathers

Homily 5 on Second Thessalonians New Advent · Church Fathers

Chrysostom's homily covering chapter 3, including the command to work.

Prep at sermons.com

Ready to write?

  • Full sermons on Luke 21:5-19
  • Illustrations cleared for use in worship
  • Commentary, quotes, and Bible dictionary
Open it at sermons.com →

Trusted by pastors since 1995.

Free every Tuesday

Illustrations & Sermon Prep in your inbox

The coming Sunday’s readings, a cleared-for-use illustration, and a sermon-prep head start. One email, free.