Study From the Book of the Second Thessalonians,4 

           Study From the Book of the Second Thessalonians,4

Today is the fourth and final part of this series where we study chapter 3 and as usual we will pick up a couple of biblical principles and lessons that can be useful in biblical counselling.

In the last chapter of this epistle, where Paul talks mainly about the second coming of our Lord, he talks about some believers who  used to be lazy not working living dependant on others.  Paul is harsh in dealing with those as he says those who are not working should not deserve to eat.

Paul sets up an example of himself.  Although he has the authority and right as a  preacher of the gospel to live on preaching, he instead does not want to be like that as he used to work all the week and to preach in the Sabbaths.

The structure of this chapter is as follows:

Verse 1: 5: Paul asking for prayers for him and for his companions

Verse 6: 15: Paul warns against Idleness   

Verse 16: 18: Benediction.

Principle 5 verse 3:2: “..and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have faith.”

Lesson 6: When the Word of God is preached, some accept it and some don’t. It has always been like that, and it will be that way right up to the end. It is perfectly legitimate to pray for protection against those who reject God’s Word.

Principle 6, verse 3:15: “- Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.”

Lesson 6: In the context of warning against idleness, Paul reminds the believers that the goal of discipline  is restoration. God wants to bless us, not judge us. Confrontation of sin with love can be an ideal way  to restore those unruly.  3/11/2019