Tag: ergadzomai

2 Thessalonians 3:11 – Another Fine Line

Posted on by Will

For we hear that there are some among you walking in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but being busybodies.

Truth to Learn

There is a difference between taking care of the needs of others and becoming a know-it-all busybody.

 

Behind the Words

The Greek word translated “we hear” is akouō, from which we get our English word acoustic. It means “to hear something” or “to listen to something.” The form of the word used here indicates present continuous action. Thus, it appears that Paul was repeatedly hearing about these problem people.

“Walking” is from peripateō, meaning “to walk around.” It refers to the manner in which someone lives his or her life.

The words “in a disorderly manner” are from atakteō, which we saw back in verse seven, meaning “to be disorderly.”

Ergadzomai is the verb translated “work.” It means “to be engaged in a task or occupation.”

“Busybodies” is translated from the verb periergadzomai, which is made up of peri, meaning “around” and ergadzomai, meaning “to work.” Literally, it means “to work around.” It refers to someone who is constantly busy, but never really accomplishing anything. It also refers to someone who meddles in the affairs of others instead of doing their own work.

 

Meaning Explained

People who have nothing of constructive value to do often end up meddling in the affairs of others. This problem was not (and is not) something that only occurred in Thessalonica. In his first letter to Timothy, Paul said:

And besides they learn to be idle, going about from house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not. (1 Timothy 5:13)

Also, the Apostle Peter, in his first general epistle said:

But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or an evildoer, or as a meddler in other people's matters. (1 Peter 4:15)

From this we can see that Peter categorizes people who are busybodies in the same group as murders, thieves, and other doers of evil things.

We all know people who have a habit of sticking their noses into other people’s affairs. They act like know-it-alls and like to share their knowledge with others whether others want it or not. They are often quick to give advice but seldom willing to take advice. Paul, in his first letter to the church in Thessalonica seems to have been talking to just such people.

that you also Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your hands, as we commanded you, (1 Thessalonians 4:11)

We see here another fine line. This one between “Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others,” (Philippians 2:4) and being a busybody. Let’s make sure we don’t cross that line.

 

Application

It is good and right to look out for the concerns of others, but don’t step over the line and become a know-it-all busybody. Instead, be humble as you work hard to provide for yourself and others and show your love to others with generosity, grace, and humility.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2016 Will Krause. All rights reserved

2 Thessalonians 3:10 – A Fine Line

Posted on by Will

For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone is not willing to work, neither is he to eat.

Truth to Learn

There is a difference between showing love and enabling the laziness of others.

 

Behind the Words

The Greek word translated “we commanded” is parangellō, which is made up of para, meaning “to the side of” or “with” and angellō, meaning “to declare a message.” It is used in a military sense of “relaying an order from the commander from one soldier to the next.” It is expressed here in the imperfect tense, which implies past, continuous action.

In the New Testament there are three Greek conditional clauses. The first class condition assumes that the condition is true. The second class condition assumes that it is false. The third class condition makes no assumption. The expression “if any will not work” is a first class condition. Therefore, it is assumed that there were some who had determined not to work.

“Willing” is from the Greek verb thelō, which means “to determine as an act of the will.”

Ergadzomai is the verb translated “work.” It means “to be engaged in a task or occupation.”

“Eat” is from esthiō, meaning “to consume food.” It is expressed here in the imperative mood indicating a command.

 

Meaning Explained

Having written about how unselfishly he and his associates have behaved toward the Thessalonian Christians, Paul now turns his attention towards the members of the church. Apparently, there were people there who refused to work. We’ll learn more about then in the next verse. Instead of working, these people depended on the church to provide for them. Having to work hard for food is a result of the curse. Remember what God told Adam and eve after the fall?

In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread Till you return to the ground, For out of it you were taken; For dust you are, And to dust you shall return." (Genesis 3:19)

Apparently, the problem of people being disorderly and lazy had existed in the Thessalonian church from the beginning. Paul tells us here that he and his associates passed on a command from our Lord that anyone who can work but refuses to work must not depend on others to feed them. These Thessalonians were also very likely familiar with several of their own philosophers, including Homer, Demosthenes, and Pythagoras, who all declared that lazy people should not be provided with food from those who are industrious.

Keep in mind, there is a difference between those who cannot work and those who will not work. This church in Thessalonica had a problem with people who would not work. Christians should always be kind and generous to those who cannot work. In fact, if we truly love our Christian brothers and sisters, we will (as we quoted in yesterday’s verse), “Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.” But, if we provide the daily needs for others who can work but refuse to, we are only enabling their laziness.

 

Application

As with many teachings in the Bible, there is a fine line between showing love to others and enabling the laziness of others. We should all be generous toward others, but we must also see that everyone does what he or she can by working hard.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2016 Will Krause. All rights reserved

2 Thessalonians 3:8 – A Servant Above Reproach

Posted on by Will

nor did we eat anyone's bread as a free gift, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you,

Truth to Learn

The Apostle Paul behaved above reproach in his ministry.

 

Behind the Words

The Greek word translated “as a free gift” is dōrean, which is based on dōron, meaning “a gift.” Hence, dōrean means “as a free gift.”

“Worked” is translated from ergadzomai, which is a form of ergon, meaning “work.” Ergadzomai means “to be engaged in work or labor, usually as a regular trade.”

Kopos is the word translated “labor.” Its base meaning is “to cut,” but it is used to refer to “hard labor which produces weariness.”

The word “toil” in translated from mochthos, which refers to “painful labor.”

“Burden” is from the Greek verb epibareō. This is composed of epi, meaning “on” or “upon,” used here as an intensifier and bareō, meaning “to weigh down with a heavy burden.” Thus, epibareō means “to place a heavy burden on someone.”

 

Meaning Explained

Paul has been talking about those in the church who are disorderly, especially those teachers who had come into the church in Thessalonica and had taught them erroneous truths about the Day of the Lord. In order to demonstrate his own commitment to God and to the Christians in Thessalonica, Paul is explaining to them how he, Timothy, and Sylvanus (Silas) had behaved while they ministered to the saints there.

In Paul’s letter to the church in Corinth, he explained at length why ministers of the gospel have a right to expect to be supported by those to whom they minister (see 1 Corinthians 9:1-27). Also, from Acts 18:2, 3 we learn that Paul was a tentmaker by trade and worked in that occupation to support himself while he was also working full-time as a preacher of the gospel. Apparently, this was his practice wherever he went so as not to be a burden to those who received his teaching.

In today’s verse we again see how hard Paul worked (apparently both as a preacher and a tentmaker) in order to deliver the Gospel message. Here he reminds the Thessalonians that he did not receive free food from anyone in the church in Thessalonica. Instead, he put in long hours, working to the point of weariness and pain, so that he could give his teachings to everyone free of charge.

Certainly, Paul is not claiming that those who proclaim the Gospel message should do so without pay. In fact, in addition to the verses referenced above, he teaches just the opposite in Galatians 6:6 and in 1 Timothy 5:17, 18. We who receive sound doctrinal teaching should be willing to support those who labor hard to accurately proclaim God’s truth. In this passage, however, Paul was making a point that he has behaved above reproach in performing his ministry.

 

Application

Does your preacher declare the truth of God’s word week-in and week-out? Doing so takes hard work and dedication. Does he receive the appropriate recognition and reward from the church? Even a hand-written note of thanks helps.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2016 Will Krause. All rights reserved

1 Thessalonians 2:9 – Hard Labor

Posted on by Will

For you recall, brothers, our labor and hard work; laboring night and day so that we might not be a burden to any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God.

Truth to Learn

Serving God sometimes requires hard work.

 

Behind the Words

“Labor” is translated from the Greek word kopos, which literally means “to strike or hit something.” Throughout the New Testament it is used figuratively to refer to “wearisome effort, or labor.”

The words “hard work” are from mochthos, which refers to “difficult labor.” It refers to a type of work which is greater in effort and difficulty than kopos; that is, the kind of work which produces fatigue because of how hard the work is.

“Laboring” is translated from ergadzomai, which is based on ergon, meaning “work.” Ergadzomai is a generic term for work or labor of any kind.

Nux is the Greek word for “night” and hemera is the Greek word for “day.” They are both expressed in the genitive case, so we could translate this as “by night and by day.” The implication is that they started their ministry early in the morning (probably before dawn) and worked until after dark.

The word “burden” is translated from epibareō, which is made up of epi, meaning “on” or “upon” and the verb bareō (from baros, meaning “a weight” or “a burden”). Thus, we see that epibareō means “to lay a heavy burden on someone” or “to be burdensome to others.”

 

Meaning Explained

In the previous two verses Paul told the Christians in the church in Thessalonica that he and his companions nurtured and cared for the people there like loving parents care for their dearly beloved children. He is telling them now how hard they worked for the sake of these young Christians. They put a lot of effort into not being burdensome to the church in Thessalonica. In his later letter to the Thessalonians, Paul explained this further, saying:

nor did we eat anyone's bread without paying for it, but with labor and hard working night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, not because we do not have the right to this, but in order to offer ourselves a model for you, so that you would follow our example. (2 Thessalonians 3:8-9)

We learn from Paul’s letter to the Philippians that they provided financial support to Paul and his co-workers while they were in Thessalonica.

… no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you alone. For even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my necessities. (Philippians 4:15b-16)

We also know from Acts 18:3 that Paul worked as a tentmaker while he was in Corinth. It is quite likely that he also performed that trade while in Thessalonica to help cover some of his financial needs.

 

Application

Serving God is hard work and it sometimes requires hard work not directly related to our ministry. When you stand before God, will He be pleased with how hard you worked to serve Him? We can all learn a lesson from Paul’s efforts.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2016 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Ephesians 4:28 – Give or Take

Posted on by Will

The one stealing, let him steal no more, but rather let him labor, working what is good with his own hands, that he may have something to give him who has need.

Truth to Learn

Overcome the problem of stealing by giving to others.

 

Behind the Words

The words “stealing” and “steal” are from kleptō, from which we get our English word, kleptomaniac. It means “to take something that belongs to someone else without permission or legal right.”

“Labor” is translated from the Greek verb kopiatō, which basically means “to feel fatigue, especially from hard labor.”

“Working” is from ergadzomai, meaning “to be engaged in labor.” It usually refers to a specific trade or profession.

“Good” is from agathos, which refers to “the general characteristic of goodness or usefulness.”

The word translated “hands” is cheir, which originally meant the entire arm from the shoulder to the end of the fingers. Later, it referred only to the hand.

 “Give” is translated from metadidōmi, which is made up of two words. The first is meta, indicating accompaniment (being with someone or something). It is different from sun, which implies a joining or a union between people or things, whereas meta implies simply being in the presence of someone or something. The other word is didōmi, meaning “to give.” Thus metadidōmi implies sharing something with those around you.

 

Meaning Explained

Back in verse seventeen Paul began teaching us how we are to behave as members of the body of Christ. First, he told us not to behave like the Gentiles who do not believe in God. Then, in verse twenty-two he began giving us guidelines on what our behavior should look like. We are to take off our sin nature and put on the new nature which God created for us. One of the characteristics of taking off the old man and putting on the new man is to stop lying and to tell the truth instead. Other characteristics of putting on the new man are getting angry for the right reasons and not letting anger last, leading you into sin.

Now he teaches us another characteristic of putting on our new nature. Literally, the Greek reads, “Let the one stealing, steal no more …” Not every Christian has an obvious problem with stealing any more than every Christian has an obvious problem with anger. We all have issues with these things to some degree, but some of us have an especially severe case of one or more of these. Some people have little respect for the property of others and take whatever they can, even though it doesn’t belong to them. Paul is speaking directly to these people, telling us that the solution is to create things ourselves that we can share with those who have greater needs than we do.

There are many excuses for stealing, from feeling like we deserve to have something more than someone else to simply wanting something and believing the owner doesn’t need it or won’t miss it. Whatever the excuse, Paul says, “Stop doing it!”

 

Application

If you have a problem with “borrowing” things from others (with no intention of returning them), you need to develop the habit of giving things to others who have less than you or giving your time to help the less fortunate. Can you do that?

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2015 Will Krause. All rights reserved

James 2:9 – Sinful Favoritism

Posted on by Will

but if you show partiality, you commit sin, being convicted by the law as transgressors.

Truth to Learn

When we show special attention to those who are rich and powerful, we are sinning!

Behind the Words

“But if you show partiality” is a conditional clause, which, based on the grammatical construction, is a first class condition. There are three classes of conditional clauses in the Greek New Testament. The first class condition assumes the “if” clause (called the protasis) is true. Since James has just accused us of showing partiality, it is natural that he would use this first class condition. Because of this, some would use the word “since” rather than “if.”

The word translated “partiality” is a word that we looked at in verse one of this chapter, literally meaning “to lift up the face on a person,” that is, to show favoritism. Hence, in its root meaning, it refers to “treating one person in a more favorable way than another.”

The word translated “commit” is from the Greek word ergadzomai, which refers to “work or toil,” as one would do for an occupation. It is much stronger than the word poieō, meaning “to do,” which is usually used in reference to sinning. Hence, James is saying that when we show partiality, we are working hard at sinning. This is not something that a Christian should be doing.

“Convicted” is translated from a form of elegchō, meaning “to reprove, rebuke, or tell a fault.” Used as it is here, it implies a rebuke which produces a belief of the transgression without need of further proof or evidence.

Meaning Explained

Continuing on James’ summary of this topic from the previous verse, we now see the other shoe drop. In the previous verse, James said, “If you are as concerned for the good of others as you are for yourself, you do well.” Now he says, “but since you show favoritism toward someone because of their outward appearance, you are being selfish, you are committing sin, and the law declares you to be guilty.”

In these first nine verses of chapter two, James is talking about rich people and poor people, and the way we treat them. Notice, however, that James does not rebuke us for our treatment of poor people nearly as much as he does for our treatment of the rich. We tend to focus our attention on the outward appearance of people. The more beautiful and well off a person appears, the more we are attracted to them. We are more likely to talk to a rich person and try to make him or her feel welcome in our church than we are a poor person. That’s sinful!

God, on the other hand, does not focus on the outward appearance and, in fact, seems to favor the poor people by making them rich in faith. After all, when we have wealth, why do we need to have faith in God? But, when we are poor and in need, our faith gets strengthened.

Application

Most of us are willing to witness about salvation to the poor and homeless because it appears that they really need Christ. Today, let’s be just as willing to witness to rich and powerful people. They need Him even more!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2015 Will Krause. All rights reserved

2 Thessalonians 3:11 – Another Fine Line

Posted on by Will

For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies.

Truth to Learn

There is a difference between taking care of the needs of others and becoming a know-it-all busybody.

Behind the Words

The Greek word translated “we hear” is akouō, from which we get our English word acoustic. It means “to hear something” or “to listen to something.” The form of the word used here indicates present continuous action. Thus, it appears that Paul was repeatedly hearing about these problem people.

“Walk” is from peripateō, meaning “to walk around.” It refers to the manner in which someone lives his or her life.

The words “in a disorderly manner” are from atakteō, which we saw back in verse seven, meaning “to be disorderly.”

Ergadzomai is the verb translated “work.” It means “to be engaged in a task or occupation.”

“Busybodies” is translated from the verb periergadzomai, which is made up of peri, meaning “around” and ergadzomai, meaning “to work.” Literally, it means “to work around.” It refers to someone who is constantly busy, but never really accomplishing anything. It also refers to someone who meddles in the affairs of others instead of doing their own work.

Meaning Explained

People who have nothing of constructive value to do often end up meddling in the affairs of others. This problem was not (and is not) something that only occurred in Thessalonica. In his first letter to Timothy, Paul said:

And besides they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not. (1 Timothy 5:13)

Also, the Apostle Peter, in his first general epistle said:

But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people's matters. (1 Peter 4:15)

From this we can see that Peter categorizes people who are busybodies in the same group as murders, thieves, and other doers of evil things.

We all know people who have a habit of sticking their noses into other people’s affairs. They act like know-it-alls and like to share their knowledge with others whether others want it or not. They are often quick to give advice but seldom willing to take advice. Paul, in his first letter to the church in Thessalonica seems to have been talking to just such people.

that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, (1 Thessalonians 4:11)

We see here another fine line. This one between “Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others,” (Philippians 2:4) and being a busybody.

Application

It is good and right to look out for the concerns of others, but don’t step over the line and become a know-it-all busybody. Instead, be humble as you work hard to provide for yourself and others and show your love to others with generosity, grace, and humility.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2012 Will Krause. All rights reserved

 

2 Thessalonians 3:10 – A Fine Line

Posted on by Will

For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.

Truth to Learn

There is a difference between showing love and enabling the laziness of others.

Behind the Words

The Greek word translated “we commanded” is parangellō, which is made up of para, meaning “to the side of” or “with” and angellō, meaning “to declare a message.” It is used in a military sense of “relaying an order from the commander from one soldier to the next.” It is expressed here in the imperfect tense, which implies past, continuous action.

In the New Testament there are three Greek conditional clauses. The first class condition assumes that the condition is true. The second class condition assumes that it is false. The third class condition makes no assumption. The expression “if any will not work” is a first class condition. Therefore, it is assumed that there are some who have determined not to work.

“Will” is from the Greek verb thelō, which means “to determine as an act of the will.”

Ergadzomai is the verb translated “work.” It means “to be engaged in a task or occupation.”

“Eat” is from esthiō, meaning “to consume food.” It is expressed here in the imperative mood indicating a command.

Meaning Explained

Having written about how unselfishly he and his associates have behaved toward the Thessalonian Christians, Paul now turns his attention towards the members of the church. Apparently, there were people there who refused to work. We’ll learn more about then in the next verse. Instead of working, these people depended on the church to provide for them. Having to work hard for food is a result of the curse. Remember what God told Adam and eve after the fall?

In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread Till you return to the ground, For out of it you were taken; For dust you are, And to dust you shall return." (Genesis 3:19)

Apparently, the problem of people being disorderly and lazy had existed in the Thessalonian church from the beginning. Paul tells us here that he and his associates passed on a command from our Lord that anyone who can work but refuses to work must not depend on others to feed them. These Thessalonians were also very likely familiar with several of their own philosophers, including Homer, Demosthenes, and Pythagoras, who all declared that lazy people should not be provided with food from those who are industrious.

Keep in mind, there is a difference between those who cannot work and those who will not work. This church had a problem with people who would not work. Christians should always be kind and generous to those who cannot work. In fact, if we truly love our Christian brothers and sisters, we will (as we quoted in yesterday’s verse), “each … look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” But, if we provide the daily needs for others who can work but refuse to, we are only enabling their laziness.

Application

As with many teachings in the Bible, there is a fine line between showing love to others and enabling the laziness of others. We should all be generous toward others, but we must also see that everyone does what they can by working hard.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2012 Will Krause. All rights reserved

 

2 Thessalonians 3:8 – A Servant Above Reproach

Posted on by Will

nor did we eat anyone's bread free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you,

Truth to Learn

The Apostle Paul behaved above reproach in his ministry.

Behind the Words

The Greek word translated “free of charge” is dōrean, which is based on dōron, meaning “a gift.” Hence, dōrean means “as a free gift.”

“Worked” is translated from ergadzomai, which is a form of ergon, meaning “work.” Ergadzomai means “to be engaged in work or labor, usually as a regular trade.”

Kopos is the word translated “labor.” Its base meaning is “to cut,” but it is used to refer to “hard labor which produces weariness.”

The word “toil” in translated from mochthos, which refers to “painful labor.”

“Burden” is from the Greek verb epibareō. This is composed of epi, meaning “on” or “upon,” used here as an intensifier and bareō, meaning “to weigh down with a heavy burden.” Thus, epibareō means “to place a heavy burden on someone.”

Meaning Explained

Paul has been talking about those in the church who are disorderly, especially those teachers who had come into the church in Thessalonica and had taught them erroneous truths about the Day of the Lord. In order to demonstrate his own commitment to God and to the Christians in Thessalonica, Paul is explaining to them how he, Timothy, and Sylvanus (Silas) had behaved while they ministered to the saints there.

In Paul’s letter to the church in Corinth, he explained at length why ministers of the gospel have a right to expect to be supported by those to whom they minister (see 1 Corinthians 9:1-27). Also, from Acts 18:2, 3 we learn that Paul was a tentmaker by trade and worked in that occupation to support himself while he was also working full-time as a preacher of the gospel. Apparently, this was his practice wherever he went so as not to be a burden to those who received his teaching.

In today’s verse we again see how hard Paul worked (apparently both as a preacher and a tentmaker) in order to deliver the Gospel message. Here he reminds the Thessalonians that he did not receive free food from anyone in the church in Thessalonica. Instead, he put in long hours, working to the point of weariness and pain, so that he could give his teachings to everyone free of charge.

Certainly, Paul is not claiming that those who proclaim the Gospel message should do so without pay. In fact, in addition to the verses referenced above, he teaches just the opposite in Galatians 6:6 and in 1 Timothy 5:17, 18. We who receive sound doctrinal teaching should be willing to support those who labor hard to accurately proclaim God’s truth. In this passage, however, Paul was making a point that he has behaved above reproach in performing his ministry.

Application

Does your preacher declare the truth of God’s word week-in and week-out? Doing so takes hard work and dedication. Does he receive the appropriate recognition and reward from the church? Even a hand-written note of thanks helps.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2013 Will Krause. All rights reserved

 

 

1 Thessalonians 2:9 – Hard Labor

Posted on by Will

For you remember, brethren, our labor and toil; for laboring night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God.

Truth to Learn

Serving God sometimes requires hard work.

Behind the Words

“Labor” is translated from the Greek word kopos, which literally means “to strike or hit something.” Throughout the New Testament it is used figuratively to refer to “wearisome effort, or labor.”

The word “toil” is from mochthos, which refers to “difficult labor.” It refers to a type of work which is greater in effort and difficulty than kopos; that is, the kind of work which produces fatigue because of how hard the work is.

“Laboring” is translated from ergadzomai, which is based on ergon, meaning “work.” Ergadzomai is a generic term for work or labor of any kind.

Nux is the Greek word for “night” and hemera is the Greek word for “day.” They are both expressed in the genitive case, so we could translate this as “by night and by day.” The implication is that they started their ministry early in the morning (probably before dawn) and worked until after dark.

The word “burden” is translated from epibareō, which is made up of epi, meaning “on” or “upon” and the verb bareō (from baros, meaning “a weight” or “a burden”). Thus, we see that epibareō means “to lay a heavy burden on someone” or “to be burdensome to others.”

Meaning Explained

In the previous two verses Paul told the Christians in the church in Thessalonica that he and his companions nurtured and cared for the people there like loving parents care for their dearly beloved children. He is telling them now how hard they worked for the sake of these young Christians. They put a lot of effort into not being burdensome to the church in Thessalonica. In his later letter to the Thessalonians, Paul explained this further, saying:

… nor did we eat anyone's bread free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us. (2 Thessalonians 3:7b-9)

We learn from Paul’s letter to the Philippians that they provided financial support to Paul and his co-workers while they were in Thessalonica.

… no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only. For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities. (Philippians 4:15b-16)

We also know from Acts 18:3 that Paul worked as a tentmaker while he was in Corinth. It is quite likely that he also performed that trade while in Thessalonica to help cover some of his financial needs.

Application

Serving God is hard work and it sometimes requires hard work not directly related to our ministry. When you stand before God, will He be pleased with how hard you worked to serve Him? We can all learn a lesson from Paul’s efforts.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2012 Will Krause. All rights reserved