Ep 187: No Work, No Food | 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13

In this episode I explore Paul’s exhortation in 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13 where he instructs the Thessalonians that “those that don’t work, don’t eat” (3:10). Building from last week’s episode on 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12, I explain how this passage functioned in its historical context and the principles that we should draw from it to think about economics and politics in the modern world. I justify the Pauline authorship of 2 Thessalonians, and then explain how the themes of persecution, eschatology, and sanctification are central to the letter. Paul encourages Christians to emulate him by embracing a cruciform lifestyle of sacrifice for others and shows himself to be an example because he performed manual labor during his stay in Thessalonica so as not to be a burden to the congregation. In 3:6-13, he challenges the ‘ataktos’, the idle or disorderly, to find work and not live off the generosity of other people. Christians should put themselves in a position to help others and charity should only be given to those who are truly in need. We explore the consequences of the principles outlined in this text for the ways in which Christians should think about modern economics and politics.

Additional Resources

• 1 Thessalonians 4:9-13:
• 1 Peter 2:13-17: https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/ep-121-submit-to-the-authorities-1-peter-213-17/
• Jesus and the Rich Young Ruler: https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/ep-105-jesus-and-the-rich-young-ruler/
• 1 Timothy 5-6: https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/1-timothy-5-6-widows-wealth-and-the-specter-of-socialism/
• New Bible Dictionary: https://a.co/d/hGlU7fD
• Karl Donfried; Paul, Thessalonica, and the Early Church: https://a.co/d/fCdLFc4
• Bruce Winter; Seek the Welfare of the City: https://a.co/d/ardheBa