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2 Thessalonians 3:11
DailyBibleStudy.Org
11 For [gar] we hear [akouo] that there are some [tis] which walk [peripateo] among [en] you [humin] disorderly, [ataktos] working [ergazomai] not at all, [medeis] but [alla] are busybodies. [periergazomai] KJV-Interlinear
11 For we hear that some among you are leading an undisciplined life, doing no work at all, but acting like busybodies. NASB
James defines work, or spiritual work, and Paul here defines and distinguishes spiritual work from temporal activity.
The student of the Word of God needs to understand the difference between the two.
Spiritual work is the effort and function of the spiritual life and spiritual growth, which enhances and builds up your soul, while in felowship.
Temporal work is the physical effort which pursues whatever physical, or verbal activities you have in life, while out of fellowship.
Spiritual work is efficacious. It is effective and beneficial to your soul. It sponsors spiritual growth and spiritual production which exists within your soul.
Physical work is anything that any unbeliever can do, but without spiritual benefit.
Paul calls such unproductive folks, not busy or workers ‘ergazomenous,’ but busybodies ‘periergazomenous.’ Not workers of the doctrine within their soul, but people who are busy imitating what they believe is spiritual activity, ut is not.
They think that they are doing the work of the Lord, but are in fact are doing their own self defined work.
The foundation of your life, exists in the content of your soul. Doctrine in the soul means a good foundation in the thought behind your words and actions. Lack of doctrine in the soul means your thoughts and words and actions are empty activity.
The test is simple. If you do not or have not pursued a daily study (not on your own as you see fit) while under the guidance of qualified instruction, then your soul will be terribly lacking.
If you have committed to a daily study of the scriptures and have learned, and come to the understanding, and use of what you have learned, then your foundation of doctrine will yield spiritual production in your life.
What is spiritual production? All activity that you do, while in fellowship. The Bible calls it, gold, silver, and precious stones.
What is temporal or carnal production? Any and all, even the same, activity which is done while out of fellowship. The Bible calls it, wood, hay and stubble.
Spiritual production glorifies God. Carnal production glorifies yourself.
Spiritual production gives all credit to God. Carnal production seeks credit for ones self, but says it is for God.
Spiritual production is maintains responsibility in ones life. Carnal production disregards responsibility, finds excuses, rationalizes ones actions, so that you can do Gods work as you see fit.
Spiritual production is humble. Carnal production is arrogant.
Spiritual production is approached with order. Carnal production, activity, work, is disorder.
Disorder here is the same word as used in verse six, ‘ataktos.’ It approaches life with disorientation, inconsistency, and guided by ones arrogance, rather than by Gods mandates.
The busybody emphasizs their physical activities as their basis for advancement in their spiritual life.
The believer functioning properly within their spiritual life, looks to spiritual growth through doctrine made resident in their soul. The production of wisdom, follows learning and understanding, not the reverse.
God uses prepared believers – those who learn and understand doctrine and then life.
Those who reject Gods mandates, and mechanism for advancing in ones spiritual life, walk, ‘peripateo,’ action with movement that is not movement, walk in place, walk in circles getting nowhere, occupied with ones meaningless travel while disregarding the destination or purpose that is never reached.
They are busybodies, doing more damage to the Christian image, while seeking to advance themselves with disregard to the repercussions they cause on the attitudes, distaste, annoying disgust in others who observe them.
1 Tim. 5:13
13 And at the same time they also learn to be idle, as they go around from house to house; and not merely idle, but also gossips and busybodies, talking about things not proper to mention. NASB
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