2 Thessalonians 3:6-10

v6-8: A specific problem in the church at Thessalonica was that some of its members were lazy.  They “were idle, not working at all, or doing nothing.” In correcting this error, the apostle Paul shows us that “diligence in our particular callings… is a duty required of us by our general calling as Christians.” Even if we knew that Christ’s return was very soon, “we would still be required to do the work of the day on its day, so that when our Lord came he would find us fulfilling our responsibility.”

v9: Paul and his co-workers set an example for the Thessalonian Christians to follow.  They did not spend their “time idly, in idle visits, idle talk, or idle entertainment.”  They even earned their own living even though they “could justly have demanded support, because those who preach the Gospel may rightly expect to live by the Gospel.”   The reason was so “they would learn how to occupy their time, and always be employed in something that would be useful.”

v10: “Those who lead idle lives” should “reform their ways and set themselves to work.”  Why?  “It is the will of God that everyone have a calling, concern themselves with it, and make it their business.  No one should live like a useless sluggard in the world.”