The work of the believers had been given them by God. By their faithful adherence to the truth they were to give to others the light which they had received. The apostle bade them not to become weary in well-doing, and pointed them to his own example of diligence in temporal matters while laboring with untiring zeal in the cause of Christ. He reproved those who had given themselves up to sloth and aimless excitement, and directed that "with quietness they work, and eat their own bread." He also 268 enjoined upon the church to separate from their fellowship anyone who should persist in disregarding the instruction given by God's ministers. "Yet," he added, "count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother."

De troende havde fået deres gerning af Gud. Ved trofast at holde fast ved sandheden skulle give andre det samme lys, som de selv havde fået. Apostlen bød dem ikke at trættes i at gøre godt mod andre og henviste dem til sit eget eksempel på at være flittig med de timelige ting, samtidig med, at de med utrættelig iver arbejdede for Kristi sag. Han dadlede dem, der levede i lediggang og gav sig af med planløse fornøjelser og bød, at de skulle "arbejde stilfærdigt og selv tjene til føden." Han pålagde også menigheden, at de ikke skulle give sig af med nogen, som vedblev med at ringeagte de befalinger, de fik gennem Guds tilsynsmænd. "Dog skal I ikke regne ham for en fjende," sagde han, "men retlede ham som en broder."