(a) Paul advises the Thessalonians to keep away from an idle brother, one who is not behaving in accordance with the tradition he had set up for them. He taught them to imitate his life of industry. While he, was with them he ate nobody's food without paying for it. Rather, he worked tirelessly for his daily needs. This he did, not because he had no right to depend upon his preaching, but to leave them with conduct worthy of emulation. He had earlier given them the command, "If anyone will not work, let him not eat," but he had heard that some of them were living in idleness. He, however exhorted such fellows to do their work quietly to earn their living. If at the end, any of them still refused to obey his instruction, he should be ostracised to make him feel ashamed. They should not, however, regard such fellow as enemy but only warn him as a brother.

(b) Ways by which Christians should uphold this teaching are:
(1) We should be proud of our job.
(ii) Dignity of labour should be emphasized.
(iii) Christians should not be beggars or extortionists.
(iv) Christians should not be lazy, rather they should be gainfully employed.