“For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread. But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing” (2 Thessalonians 3:11-13).
Introduction
Is it not a curious thing that those who are undisciplined attempt to put everyone else’s life in order? The result is usually more confusion, conflict and unruliness. In these verses Paul is basically telling the busybodies to mind their own business and put their own lives in order. The word “busybody” comes from two Greek words. “Allotri” = “not one’s own” and “episkopos” = “overseer / bishop”, therefore a busybody (Allotriepiskopos) does not oversee his own life but meddles with that of others. “It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling” (Proverbs 20:3).
Busybodies
Despite the wonderful reports on the faith and love of the Thessalonian believers, it must have disheartened Paul to learn about the few who were causing problems in the church. Some, who refused to do anything of any value, took it upon themselves to meddle in other people’s affairs. “Doing nothing, but being busybodies - To which idleness naturally disposes” (John Wesley). The busybody will end up hurting himself, as well as others, if he is not stopped. “He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears” (Proverbs 26:17).
The lyrics found in a children’s film could easily have been their theme song, “We're busy doing nothing, working all day through, we're trying to find lots of things not to do.” They never had the time to obey the Lord’s will, but plenty when they thought they knew better than everyone else. “And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not” (1 Timothy 5:13). “Nature abhors a vacuum; so if not doing one's own business, one is apt to meddle with his neighbour’s business. Idleness is the parent of busybodies” (Jamieson, Fausset, Brown Bible Commentary). The apostle Peter puts busybodies alongside murderers and thieves to show just how serious a matter it is. “But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters” (1 Peter 4:15).
Quietness
There was a remedy to the problem. The unruly busybodies needed to amend their own lives by doing two things. Firstly, they were to quietly do their own work. “And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you” (1 Thessalonians 4:11) … “Let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth” (Ephesians 4:28). Secondly, they cannot keep relying upon the kindness and generosity of others, but instead work to put food on their own tables. “Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife” (Proverbs 17:1) … “Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit” (Ecclesiastes 4:6). Paul is very blunt regarding his view of those who refuse to work. “But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel” (1 Timothy 5:8).
Conclusion
There will always be those who are in genuine need in the church, and therefore ought to be provided for. “If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?” (James 2:15-16). Nevertheless, there are those undisciplined believers who live for the handouts but are never engaged in anything productive in the church. We need to ask God for the wisdom and guidance in confronting them.
As a final note, to sum up Paul’s exhortation, instead of being busybodies we can be busy about the work the Lord has given us to do. We can only do well if we are obedient to the Lord’s commands. “Six days shall work be done” (Leviticus 23:3) … “Well done, thou good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21).
© 16/12/2008