Let's Get a Few Things Straight

Week Five - Day 1

Today's Reading

1 Thessalonians 4:1--5:28, and 2 Thessalonians 1:1--3:18

As we finish hearing Paul's earliest known letter, his words to the Thessalonians are those of encouragement to live in personal holiness and with mutual love for one another.  His fondness for them is apparent, and he is eager for this infant community to mature in their faith and their life together.  He also continues his instruction of them, either reminding them of what he taught while he was with them, or providing answers to questions that he knows concerns them.  Paul ends the letter by saying that his letter should be read to all of the believers.

After sending off the letter, Paul continued to stay in Corinth.  Sometime within the next year, perhaps in early 53 A.D., Paul writes a second letter to the Thessalonians after receiving a report of two problems that are plaguing the church in that city.  This letter lacks the more personal tone of his first, perhaps showing his overall concern for their survival and wanting to get right down to business.   What is bothersome to Paul is that some in the community have misinterpreted his teaching and are claiming that Paul had declared "that the day of the Lord" had already come (2:2).  Paul calls out this false teaching and tries to sort the confusion that has arisen in the church. "Let no one deceive you," Paul writes, about the workings of God.

The second issue bothering Paul is that in spite of the admonitions in his first letter, there are persons who are refusing to work and whose "idleness" is becoming a burden to the community.  With regard to these persons, whom Paul views as slackers and "mere busybodies" (3:11), he commands and "exhorts in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work and to earn their own living."  Living in community means doing your part within your abilities, and not living off the toil of others when you can readily contribute on your own.  We might take these words to heart within our present day church communities, where too often leave the work of ministries for others to do.