Paul spends a third of this epistle not on prophecy but on people. The
reason: there is nothing harder or more important than people. All of us need
biblical guidance on dealing with the community that surrounds us. In this
section Paul gives us our marching orders as saints.
The church at Thessalonica is first encouraged about the good job they are doing demonstrating brotherly love. Next, they are encouraged to keep going by: living quietly, minding their own business, work with their hands, walk properly, and being dependent on no one.
Everyone needs examples. The Thessalonian believers were able to look at Paul, Silas and Timothy and then through difficulty, repentance, patience and God’s word they became the models for the entire region.