+I. Violate the rules that give compactness and strength to all
Church organisation.+
+II. Ignore the highest examples of moral consistency.+
+III. Should be faithfully warned and counselled.+
+IV. If incorrigible, should be excluded from the privileges of
Christian fellowship.+
_MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.--Verses_ 8, 9.
_Self-denying Labour._
Pioneer work involves hard toil and much patience and self-denial.
The character and surroundings of the people whose highest good is
sought must be studied. The apostle took his measure of the
Thessalonian converts, and, perhaps foreseeing the extravagances to
which they would yield, he and his co-labourers determined to set
them an example of unselfish industry, even to the extent of
surrendering their just rights.
+I. Here we see self-denying labour carried on amidst weariness and
suffering.+--"Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but
wrought with labour and travail night and day" (ver. 8). Work is a
pleasurable exercise to the strong and healthy, but it becomes a
hardship when carried to excess. The devoted missionaries worked when
they were weary--worked when they should have been resting. After a
hard day's toil in teaching and visiting, they laboured far on into
the night, so as to maintain themselves independent of help from
their converts. Much as we hear of the dignity of labour, the toiler,
whether by hand or brain, in the weariness and pain that overtake
him, feels that some portion of the original curse still clings to
his handiwork. The best work is often accomplished in the midst of
acute suffering. The unique histories of England were written by
J. R. Green while the shadow of death was consciously hovering over
his desk; and the exquisite Christian lyrics of H. F. Lyte were
penned while he felt that every moment his heart was throbbing
"funeral marches to the grave."
+II. Here we see self-denying labour declining the maintenance that
might be legitimately claimed.+--"That we might not be chargeable to
any of you: not because we have not power" (vers. 8, 9)--right,
authority. While the apostle forbears to urge their just right to
ministerial support by the people, he gives them clearly to
understand it is their right. Their self-denial in this instance was
for a special purpose, and was only intended to be temporary, and not
to establish a universal rule. In other places, St. Paul insists upon
the duty of the Church to maintain its ministers (1 Cor. ix. 4-14;
Gal. vi. 6). All honour to the self-denying zeal and suffering toil
of the unaided Christian worker; but what shall we say of the
parsimony and injustice of the people who allow such a state of
things to continue?
+III. Here we see self-denying labour set forth as an example and
reproof to those who are most benefited by it.+--"To make ourselves
an ensample unto you to follow us" (ver. 9). Here the purpose of
their disinterested conduct is plainly stated--to set an example of
industry to the idlers. St. Paul acted in a similar manner towards
the Corinthians, but with a different design. In the latter case he
wished to manifest a better spirit than that of the false teachers
who were greedy of filthy lucre (2 Cor. xi. 8-13). The earnest
evangelist is ever anxious to clear his work from the taint of
self-seeking. Let the heart of man be changed and sanctified, and it
will inspire and regulate the practical exercise of every Christian
virtue. How little does the world appreciate its greatest
benefactors! And yet no unselfish act is without its recompense. The
actor is not unblessed. To exchange, as Christ did, the temple for
Nazareth, the Father's house for the carpenter's shop, the joy of
preaching for irksome toil, is a great advance in spiritual obedience
and nobility of character.
+Lessons.+--1. _The essence of the Christian spirit is
unselfishness._ 2. _The earnest Christian pioneer labours
ungrudgingly for the good of others._ 3. _The self-denial of the
preacher does not exonerate the people from the duty of his
legitimate maintenance._
_GERM NOTES ON THE VERSES._
Ver. 8. _Industry the Secret of Success._--When Sir Isaac Newton was
asked by what means he had been able to make that successful progress
in the sciences which struck mankind with wonder, he modestly
replied, that it was not so much owing to any superior strength of
genius as to a habit of patient thinking, laborious attention, and
close application.