Deeper Reflection
PAUL EXPRESSES HIS “CONFIDENCE IN THE LORD” ABOUT the Thessalonians, that “you are doing and will do the things that we command you” (2 Thess 3:4). Then Paul immediately addresses the problem of idleness present in the church – and rather extensively in 10 verses (2 Thess 3:6-15). The Thessalonians that Paul had confidence in the Lord about were the “faithful majority”¹⁰ and those who were “walking in idleness” (v.6) were the “unfaithful minority”¹¹. Paul does not leave this minority group alone just because the majority were faithful and thus thinks that the church was doing alright. He does not see the problem as small and insignificant, simply because it was a problem of the minority. For Paul, in the church, “a little leaven leavens the whole lump” (1 Cor 5:6). And Paul’s goal in ministry is to “present everyone mature in Christ” (Col 1:28), leaving no one behind.The problem of the “unfaithful minority” is persistent disobedience. Paul had instructed the Thessalonians – in person and by letter – on the matter of working and not living idly – (1 Thess 4:10-12). But this unfaithful minority stubbornly rejected his teaching,¹² such that Paul has to call for church discipline (v.6). Persistent disobedience can harden our hearts. Scripture solemnly warns against the hardening of our hearts: “Take care…lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God…that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin” (Heb 3:12-14). Be watchful, be fearful about our own hearts and take sin seriously (Jer 17:9; Prov 4:23).

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¹⁰ John R. W. Stott, Thessalonians, 190 ¹¹ John R. W. Stott, Thessalonians, 190 ¹² John R. W. Stott, Thessalonians, 190