Kress Biblical Resources :: Confrontation and Exhortation in Regard to the Undisciplined, Who Expected Others to Support Them Financially (2Th 3:1-15)

Detailed Outline of 2 Thessalonians

The Return of Our Lord Jesus Christ in Glory Calls Us to Persevere in the Midst of Persecution

4. Confrontation and exhortation in regard to the undisciplined, who expected others to support them financially (2Th 3:1-15)
   1. The humble pastoral introduction (2Th 3:1-5)
      1. The call for reciprocal prayer (2Th 3:1-2)
         1. The need for prayer expressed (2Th 3:1a)
         2. The nature of the request (2Th 3:1b-2)
            1. The progress of the gospel message—the Word of the Lord (2Th 3:1b)
            2. The protection of the gospel messengers—the workers of the Lord (2Th 3:2)
      2. The confidence and prayer that precedes confrontation (2Th 3:3-5)
         1. The steadfastness of the Lord will strengthen and protect you (2Th 3:3)
         2. The sovereignty of the Lord will enable and ennoble you to obey (2Th 3:4)
         3. The supplication to the Lord is that He direct your hearts in God’s love and Christ’s faithfulness (2Th 3:5)
   2. The honest pastoral confrontation (2Th 3:6-15)
      1. The command to the church—stay away from every brother who leads an unruly life (2Th 3:6-10)
         1. The exhortation to disassociate from the unruly in the church—keep away from those who are idle among you (2Th 3:6)
            1. The authority of the Lord (2Th 3:6a)
            2. The essence of the command (2Th 3:6b)
            3. The standard of Word of God (2Th 3:6c)
         2. The example of a disciplined work ethic—keep following our example (2Th 3:7-9)
            1. Paul, Silas, and Timothy set an example of diligence (2Th 3:7-8ab)
            2. Paul, Silas, and Timothy were concerned about being a burden to others [an example of love] (2Th 3:8c)
            3. Paul, Silas, and Timothy had a God-given right to financial support—but voluntarily set aside that right for the sake of setting the example (2Th 3:9)
         3. The explicit teaching on a disciplined work ethic—keep in mind, if one is not willing to work then he is not to eat (2Th 3:10)
      2. The command to the unruly—start working and eat your own bread (2Th 3:11-12)
         1. The report of idleness (2Th 3:11)
         2. The reproof and remedy of idleness (2Th 3:12)
      3. The command to the church in summary—stay faithful in doing good, but stop unrestricted-fellowship with the unruly (2Th 3:13-15)
         1. Do not grow weary of doing good (2Th 3:13)
         2. Do not affirm the disobedient through unrestricted fellowship (2Th 3:14)
         3. Do not think of him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother (2Th 3:15)