Deeper Reflection
THE PROBLEM OF IDLENESS AMONG THE THESSALONIANS was serious enough for Paul to exert his apostolic authority to demand obedience from them to “the things that we command” (2 Thess 3:4, 6, 10, 12, 14). How Paul exercised his apostolic authority shows us the Christian way to exercise leadership authority in, not just the church, but also our family, the workplace and other settings. First and foremost of all is leading by example.Exercising his apostolic authority, Paul commands the Thessalonians to implement church discipline on those who disobeyed the apostolic “tradition” and refused to work and “walk in idleness” (v.6). Paul’s apostolic command was undergirded by how he lived his life: “we were not idle” (v.7) and how “with toil and labor we worked day and night” for their own sustenance (v.8). This gave Paul the authority to say without any sense of pride that his life was “an example” for them “to imitate” (v.9). More than that, he had the authority to direct them: “You ought to imitate us” (v.7). This reflects Paul’s confidence that his life was to be an example to be followed. It was a humble confidence, not of himself, but in the Lord (cf. 2 Cor 10:17-18).We do not live by example because we are leading, but rather that the way we live our lives – whether we are leaders or not – naturally becomes an example when we lead. The central principle in Paul’s leadership is: The starting point is “I follow the example of Christ” and out of this is “Follow my example” (1 Cor 11:1, NIV).