By David Phillips
In 2 Thessalonians 3:2, Paul asked the Christians in that place to pray …that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have faith (NKJV). Vine says the word translated into the English word unreasonable means literally out of place or perverse. Certainly those of a perverse mindset could do serious harm to the efforts of one promoting the cause of Christ, as Paul was. Remembering back to when the church in Thessalonica was established in Acts 17, you may recall how a group of unbelieving Jews who were motivated by envy, gathered a mob and set the city in an uproar against those who were obeying the truth. The brethren there sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, Acts 17:5-10. Paul was possibly recalling that occasion as he wrote to those faithful brethren later, using terminology they could relate to.
In our language of today, to refer to someone as “unreasonable” paints a pretty clear picture: one who cannot be reasoned with. In today’s culture, a great many things divide the thoughts of many from one another, resulting in unreasonableness on the part of one or both sides. Politics seems to be a major culprit that often leads folks into unreasonableness. Financial concerns can cause people to lay reason aside and do or get involved in things that would seem out of character for them in normal circumstances. Fear can make people unreasonable, as well as anger, disappointment, prejudice and even desire.
We should share Paul’s concern for the effects that unreasonable men can have on the Lord’s cause. His explanation that, not all have faith is a reminder that some will never see things God’s way. There are several reasons we could consider for this fact.
- Some are unreasonable because they have been misled, and see no need to consider further information. We should always guard against being closed-minded, and be willing to listen to accurate evidence.
- Some are unreasonable because selfish concern has blinded their minds to the truth. Paul attributes this type of situation specifically to Satan in 2 Corinthians 4:4, calling him the god of this world.
- Some are unreasonable because they have their minds set on their own version of what should be true, and no matter what anyone says, they only want to see things “their way‘.
Unreasonable men, who persist in their error and resist the truth, may even develop hearts that are hardened beyond repair. Particularly in the case of an erring child of God who becomes unreasonable, often with irresponsible words, the image of Christ is defamed. Surely this is part of the warning we find in Hebrews 6:6, they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put Him to an open shame. Sometimes physical harm results, as in the case of the Thessalonians. Pray that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men... and above all, let’s do our best to see to it that we, for whatever reason, never lay the truth aside and become unreasonable.
“Come, now, and let us reason together,” says the Lord. (Isaiah 1:18)