For you know how you ought to imitate us. For we didn’t behave ourselves rebelliously among you, neither did we eat bread from anyone’s hand without paying for it, but in labor and travail worked night and day, that we might not burden any of you, not because we don’t have the right, but to make ourselves an example to you, that you should imitate us.
Show the surrounding paragraph
2 Thessalonians 3:7-9 sits inside this longer paragraph.
Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw yourselves from every brother who walks in rebellion, and not after the tradition which they received from us. For you know how you ought to imitate us. For we didn’t behave ourselves rebelliously among you, neither did we eat bread from anyone’s hand without paying for it, but in labor and travail worked night and day, that we might not burden any of you, not because we don’t have the right, but to make ourselves an example to you, that you should imitate us. For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: “If anyone is not willing to work, don’t let him eat.” For we hear of some who walk among you in rebellion, who don’t work at all, but are busybodies. Now those who are that way, we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ, that they work with quietness and eat their own bread.
Parallel Translations
-
For you know how you ought to imitate us. For we didn’t behave ourselves rebelliously among you,
neither did we eat bread from anyone’s hand without paying for it, but in labor and travail worked night and day, that we might not burden any of you,
not because we don’t have the right, but to make ourselves an example to you, that you should imitate us.
-
Ye youre selves knowe how ye ought to folowe vs. For we behaved not oure selves inordinatly amonge you.
Nether toke we breed of eny man for nought: but wrought with laboure and travayle nyght and daye because we wolde not be grevous to eny of you:
not but that we had auctoritie: but to make oure selves an insample vnto you to folowe vs.
Show all 3 translations
-
For ye your selues know, how ye ought to follow vs: for we behaued not our selues inordinately among you,
Neither tooke we bread of any man for nought: but we wrought with labour and trauaile night and day, because we would not be chargeable to any of you.
Not because we haue not authoritie, but that we might make our selues an ensample vnto you to follow vs.
Cross-references (28)
- 2 Thessalonians 3:6 (v7) Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw yourselves from every brother who walks in rebellion,…
- 2 Thessalonians 3:7 (v9) For you know how you ought to imitate us. For we didn’t behave ourselves rebelliously among you,
- 2 Thessalonians 3:9 (v7) not because we don’t have the right, but to make ourselves an example to you, that you should imitate us.
- Matthew 6:11 (v8) Give us today our daily bread.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:9 (v8) For you remember, brothers, our labor and travail; for working night and day, that we might not burden any of you, we preached to you the…
Show all 28 cross-references
- 1 Corinthians 4:16 (v7) I beg you therefore, be imitators of me.
- 1 Corinthians 11:1 (v7) Be imitators of me, even as I also am of Christ.
- Acts 18:3 (v8) and because he practiced the same trade, he lived with them and worked, for by trade they were tent makers.
- Ephesians 4:28 (v8) Let him who stole steal no more; but rather let him labor, producing with his hands something that is good, that he may have something to…
- Philippians 3:17 (v7) Brothers, be imitators together of me, and note those who walk this way, even as you have us for an example.
- 1 Thessalonians 1:6-7 (v7) You became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became an…
- Titus 2:7 (v7) In all things be showing yourself an example of good works. In your teaching, be showing integrity, seriousness, incorruptibility,
- 1 Corinthians 4:12 (v8) We toil, working with our own hands. When people curse us, we bless. Being persecuted, we endure.
- 1 Corinthians 9:4-14 (v9) Have we no right to eat and to drink? Have we no right to take along a wife who is a believer, even as the rest of the apostles, and the…
- Philippians 4:9 (v7) The things which you learned, received, heard, and saw in me: do these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:6 (v9) nor seeking glory from men (neither from you nor from others), when we might have claimed authority as apostles of Christ.
- 1 Thessalonians 4:11 (v8) and that you make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, even as we…
- 1 Timothy 4:12 (v7) Let no man despise your youth; but be an example to those who believe, in word, in your way of life, in love, in spirit, in faith, and in…
- Galatians 6:6 (v9) But let him who is taught in the word share all good things with him who teaches.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:10 (v7) You are witnesses with God how holy, righteously, and blamelessly we behaved ourselves toward you who believe.
- 2 Thessalonians 3:12 (v8) Now those who are that way, we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ, that they work with quietness and eat their own bread.
- Proverbs 31:27 (v8) She looks well to the ways of her household, and doesn’t eat the bread of idleness.
- Matthew 10:10 (v9) Take no bag for your journey, neither two coats, nor sandals, nor staff: for the laborer is worthy of his food.
- John 13:15 (v9) For I have given you an example, that you should also do as I have done to you.
- Acts 20:34 (v8) You yourselves know that these hands served my necessities, and those who were with me.
- 2 Corinthians 11:9 (v8) When I was present with you and was in need, I wasn’t a burden on anyone, for the brothers, when they came from Macedonia, supplied the…
- 1 Peter 5:3 (v7) not as lording it over those entrusted to you, but making yourselves examples to the flock.
- 1 Peter 2:21 (v9) For you were called to this, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving you an example, that you should follow his steps,
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this passage (20 sources)
Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.
Private notes
Saved on this device only — never synced or sent anywhere.
John Calvin 1540 · Public Domain On v9 9 Not because we have not. As Paul wished…
9 Not because we have not. As Paul wished by his laboring to set an example, that idle persons might not like drones eat the bread of others, so he was not willing that this very thing should do injury to the ministers of the word, so that the Churches should defraud them of their proper livelihood. In this we may see his singular moderation and humanity, and how far removed he was from the ambition of those who abuse their powers, so as to infringe upon the rights of their brethren. There was a danger, lest the Thessalonians, having had from the beginning the preaching of the gospel from Paul’s mouth gratuitously, should lay it down as a law for the future as to other ministers; the disposition of mankind being so niggardly. Paul, accordingly, anticipates this danger, and teaches that he had a right to more than he had made use of, that others may retain their liberty unimpaired. He designed by this means to inflict the greater disgrace, as I have already noticed above, on those that do nothing, for it is an argument from, the greater to the less.
John Calvin's Commentaries (1540-1563) — public domain. Text from the Calvin Translation Society English edition (1840s-50s) via the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (ccel.org). Calvin's coverage is partial (roughly two-thirds of the Bible); uncommented books and verses are honest gaps, never fabricated. The 19th-century editor's footnotes and remarks are omitted so the notes are faithfully Calvin's own voice.
Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On v7 Lest he might seem to deal harshly with them,…
Lest he might seem to deal harshly with them, he setteth forth himself as an example, who besides his travail in preaching labored with his hands, which he saith he was not simply bound to do.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv7–9 7 For yourselves know how ye ought to follow…
7 For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;
Ver. 7. For yourselves know] You idle addleheads, {a} 2Th 3:11. For these he here directs his speech, that by doing nothing, had learned at length to do naughtily. Nihil agendo male agere discimus.
Read full note →
We behaved not ourselves disorderly] Gr. ητακτησαμεν, We brake not our ranks, as unruly soldiers.
{a} Applied contemptuously to one whose intellect seems muddled. ŒD
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On vv7–9 Whereby the apostle intimates the aggravation of their crime…
Whereby the apostle intimates the aggravation of their crime who did walk disorderly, and so justifies the withdrawing from them. For they would be reproved not only by his doctrine, but example: what he required of others he practised himself, and that in some cases for this end alone, that he might be an example; examples teaching more than precepts, especially in ministers. And they did not only know how the apostle and his fellow ministers walked among them, but their end therein, whereby they knew they ought to follow them, and how to follow them; being guided as well as excited by their example. And this is expressed more generally. First, negatively:
We behaved not ourselves disorderly among you, which he speaks not in a way of self-commendation, but for their imitation; and he useth here the same word to express his own practice which he did in theirs, being properly a military word, as was said before. He went before them as it captain before the army, and taught them order by his own example; for in the negative the positive is included.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
William Burkitt 1703 · Public Domain On v7 In these verses the apostle plainly intimates, whom he…
In these verses the apostle plainly intimates, whom he meant by the disorderly brother mentioned in the foregoing verse; it is the idle person, called disorderly for this reason; because Almighty God having fitted man for, and ordained him to, labour, he that will not do so, deserts the order in which God has placed him, and thus renders himself disorderly.
To condemn which practice, St. Paul propounds his own example to their consideration and imitation; declaring, that he did not eat any man’s bread before he earned it, but wrought with his own hands in the day-time, and sometimes part of the night, at his trade of tent-making, that he might not be chargeable to any of them: not but that he had power to demand maintenance for his ministry; but he chose rather to depart from his right, and to labour in his calling, to excite others to do the like.
Read full note →
Note here, 1. That had not St. Paul laboured in his calling of tent- making, he had not been a disorderly person; but lest any should think so, he takes away and cuts off all occasion of suspicion, by working with his hands; his ministerial office would have freed him from the charge and imputation of idleness, and made maintenance from the church his due; but idleness, the apostle observed, was a growing sin, which needeth an example as well as doctrine to subdue it; and accordingly the apostle sets one, I behaved myself not disorderly or idle amongst you, but wrought with labour and travail night and day.
Note, 2. It is commendable to follow good examples, but much more to set a good example: as ministers ought to be patterns, so people ought to be followers; and their will be much the greater, and their punishment much the sorer, who do not follow their ministers’ doctrine, when they have seen it exemplified in their conversation.
Note, 3. There have all along been some persons in the world who have looked upon the work of the ministry as a very easy calling, yea, as an idle calling, that a little time, a little pains and labour, is enough for it: whereas, the labour of the ministry in the exercise of the mind, may justly be esteemed the greatest of labours; yet we see people all along have not judged it so, but the ministers of Christ find it so.
From the poverty of St. Paul’s condition, that he had nothing before- hand, but was forced to earn his bread before he eat it;
Learn, that it pleases God sometimes to measure out a very hard lot to his own children, and to give but little of earth to those who glorify him most upon earth; and those upon whom he intends to bestow extraordinary measures of glory in heaven, are cut short, very short of these outward comforts.
Here behold St. Paul, a chosen vessel, one of the holiest men, and the most serviceable man that lived in the world in his time, yet without a penny in his purse, but what he wrought for with his hands, nay, working night and day for bread! Lord! how endearing are thy children’s obligations to thy goodness, for their easy and plentiful circumstances in the world! what a favour it is to have fulness upon earth whilst we live, and the assurance of thy everlasting fruitation when we die!
William Burkitt's Expository Notes on the New Testament (1700–1703) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv7–9 For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us,....…
For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us,.... The apostle goes on to dissuade from that which denominates persons disorderly walkers, and exposes them to the censure of the church, and that partly by the example of the apostles, and partly by their command. He appeals to them, to their knowledge and judgment, it being a thing well known to them, that they ought to walk as they had the apostles for ensamples; for who should they follow but their spiritual fathers, shepherds, and guides? and especially so far as they were followers of Christ, as they were, in the case referred unto, working with their own hands:
for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you; they could appeal to them as witnesses, and God also, how holily, justly, and unblamably they walked among them; see Th1 2:10 and particularly, that they did not live an idle and inactive life among them.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv7–9 Verse 7. We behaved not ourselves disorderly] ουκ ητακτησαμεν.…
Verse 7. We behaved not ourselves disorderly] ουκ ητακτησαμεν. We did not go out of our rank-we kept our place, and discharged all its duties.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain On vv7–9 For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us…
For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us - You know what you should do in order to imitate us.
For we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you - See the notes on 1Th 2:10.
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain On vv8–9 Burthensome. By the Greek, he understands those who being…
Burthensome. By the Greek, he understands those who being idle, and not keeping themselves employed, lead a disorderly life. (Witham)
George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain On vv7–9 how ye ought to follow us--how ye ought to…
how ye ought to follow us--how ye ought to live so as to "imitate (so the Greek for 'follow') us" (compare Notes, see on Co1 11:1; Th1 1:6).
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On vv7, 9 7. Yourselves know—Another appeal to their own consciences in…
7. Yourselves know—Another appeal to their own consciences in proof of his truth.
Ourselves—Again appealing to his own example. Note, 1Th_2:9.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv7–9 7. For yourselves know how ye ought to follow…
7. For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us] Lit., imitate us: see note on 1Th_1:6; and again, ch. 2Th_2:14, and 2Th_3:9 below. you know of yourselves—“without our needing to tell it all again.” Such references are frequent in these Epistles; see note on 1Th_2:1.
“How you ought to imitate us” points beyond the mere duty to the spirit and manner of the imitation desired—“with what diligence and devotion.”
Read full note →
for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you] This “for” differs from that at the beginning of the verse; it is a specifying for—giving not a reason for what has just been said, but a definition of its meaning: in that we did not play a disorderly part among you. The readers’ attention is called to this feature of the missionaries’ conduct, and imitation is recommended. There is a meiosis (or litotes) in the expression, resembling that of 2Th_3:2, and of 1Th_2:15 (see notes). “Far indeed was our walk from giving an example of disorder!” How far, the next line shows.
To-be-disorderly (a single verb in the Greek) is a word applied to soldiers out of rank. Officers in the army are as much subject to its discipline as the rank and file; and the Apostle Paul felt it to be due to the Churches over which he presided, that he should set an example of a strictly ordered and self-denying life.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv7–9 (7) For justifies the assertion that they had received…
(7) For justifies the assertion that they had received a better teaching. (Comp. 1Th_2:1; 1Th_4:9; 1Th_5:2.)
To follow us.—The word, of course, means “to imitate”; and the rather compressed expression seems to stand for something fuller, such as, “Yourselves know how you ought to live, for you have but to imitate us: you recollect not only a tradition, but an example.” This is better than (with St. Chrysostom) to make the whole “tradition” consist of example without precept, however such an interpretation might simplify the logic.
Read full note →
For (or because).—Historical justification of the statement that their example was a trustworthy mode in this particular, at any rate: see the same use of “for” in 1Th_2:9, “for labouring,” &c.; 1Th_4:3. It is perhaps simpler, however, to translate the word “that,” instead of “for “: “You know perfectly how to live—how to imitate our example—that we never,” &c. Then follows a description of the Apostles’ conduct at Thessalonica similar to that in the First Epistle, thus giving us a clearer understanding why they dwelt so long and so passionately upon the topic there—namely, in order by force of tacit, contrast to shame the disorderly brethren into imitation.
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv7–9 For yourselves know; without it being necessary for me…
For yourselves know; without it being necessary for me to say anything about the matter; ye yourselves are witnesses. How ye ought to follow (or, imitate) us; better, perhaps, to be restricted to Paul than used as inclusive of Silas and Timothy. For we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you; referring to the apostle"s residence in Thessalonica.
Vers. 7-10.
Read full note →
The example of the apostle himself as a support to his command.
I THE APOSTLE"S EXAMPLE. "For we were not disorderly among you, nor did we eat bread for nought from any one, but in toil and weariness, working night and day." Though there were rich people in the Church, he accepted no gift from them, but laboured at his craft assiduously to earn a living for himself.
1. His refusal of support from his converts did not invalidate his right to it. "Not because we have not authority an authority which he fully expounds in 1Co 9. for "the labourer is worthy of his hire," and has he not "a right to forbear working"?
2. It was based upon a supreme regard to Thessalonian interests.
(1) "That we might not be a burden to any one of you,
(2) and "that we might give ourselves for a pattern unto you to imitate us." The apostle had evidently in view the extravagances of conduct that were beginning at an early period to spring from misunderstandings respecting the time of the Lord"s coming. He was not ashamed of his handicraft. No Christian man ought ever to be ashamed of honest labour.
II THE APOSTLE"S INJUNCTION TO THE DISORDERLY. "For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any one will not work, neither let him eat.
1. This does not apply to those who cannot work, but to those who will not. The command does not touch cases of charity.
2. It is a command based on the original law of Eden. "In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread". (Gen_3:19) Work is a Divine order, not repealed by Christianity but lifted up to higher blessing and dignity. The idle man ought, therefore, to be allowed to suffer the effects of his idleness.
3. It is a command which, when obeyed, will introduce tranquillity into life, and at the same time conduce to an honest self-respect. "That working with quietness they eat their own bread.
(1) They would thus be eating their own bread, not the bread earned by others" toil, nor that reserved by the same toil for the use of the really destitute and poor.
(2) They would thus carry more quietness into their own lives as well as those of their neighbours, for there would be no time for intermeddling with other people"s concerns. We should live "quiet and peaceable lives in all godliness and honesty T.C. (1Ti_2:2)
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain On vv7, 9 For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us
2Th_3:7-9
For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us
Read full note →
Apostolic example and precept concerning industry
1.
Paul found it expedient on many accounts to commend industry.
(1) The early Christians felt a most lively sense of the evidence and importance of Christianity, were greatly affected by its promises, and looked with indifference on a world from which they had little to expect but persecution. The zeal engendered by all this, however, had its dangers. A contempt for the world may be carried too far, and Paul was afraid it might be here, and lead to a widespread negligence of work and consequent ruin to many families.
(2) The apostles had assurances of support from Christ, and there was a danger lest Christians should apply them generally.
(3) The opinion of the nearness of the Second Advent led some to regard work as superfluous.
(4) The eminent liberality of the first believers was a temptation to dishonest and lazy men. Thus there was a danger lest the Church, instead of being a society of honest, busy men, should become a nest of drones.
2. St. Paul, therefore, recommended industry by precept and example. He had a strong claim to maintenance as an apostle of Christ, and especially to the Gentiles, and a very small sum would have been sufficient for a man who only required food and raiment. Yet he chose to waive this right, and laboured night and day rather than eat any mans bread for nought. Such a person, therefore, might well lay the stress he does here on labour; elsewhere he condemns what we should regard as carelessness or indolence, denial of the faith and infidelity. Consider this example as a precept of industry in--
I. Our worldly callings. This is necessary, because--
1. We came naked and destitute, both physically and mentally, into the world. But both body and soul are designed by God, the one to improve in understanding and the other to increase in strength. Thus, by the voice of nature, God teaches us to be improvable and industrious beings.
2. The Scriptures echo the voice of reason, and command and commend industry throughout.
3. God has made us dependent on others, and teaches us, by the voice of reason, that we ought in return to promote the welfare of others.
4. The Gospel commands us to do good--i.e., what an idle person has not the power or inclination to perform. He who is negligent of his own interests will hardly be serviceable to others.
5. Whosoever is slothful in business will be a slothful Christian, for the same temper disposes to both.
6. Idleness is the parent of vice. He who has some good end to pursue is too busy for temptation; but the idle, having nothing else to do, is tempted to yield. A vacant mind is a proper habitation for the devil. An idle person loathes his own company, and thus gets into worse, and, unless favoured by an extraordinary concurrence of circumstances, falls into want and thence into wickedness.
7. Of all bad dispositions, laziness is the most vexatious. The love of ease and pleasure produces idleness; yet such is the nature of things, idleness produces neither ease nor pleasure, but the reverse.
8. By industry we obtain credit and reputation.
9. By industry we shut out many fretting desires, sorrowful reflections, and turbulent passions.
10. By industry we become beneficial to others, and thereby secure many blessings for ourselves.
II. Our religious affairs.
1. The shortness and uncertainty of life warn us not to neglect it, since upon our present behaviour depends our future state.
2. The reward before us excites us to it.
3. Gratitude to Him who has done so much for us moves us to do something for Him.
4. The punishment allotted to the idle and wicked servant calls us to it.
5. Our present interest invites us to it, bringing as it does peace of mind and the blessing of God upon our worldly affairs. (J. Jortin, D. D.)
The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
B. W. Johnson 1891 · Public Domain On vv7, 9 7. Ye know how ye ought to follow us.…
7. Ye know how ye ought to follow us. For Paul's example in the matter of work at Thessalonica, see 1 Thess. 2:9. He labors for his own support.
B. W. Johnson's The People's New Testament with Notes (1889–1891) — public domain. Electronic text from the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (CCEL) ThML edition.
The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary 1892 · Public Domain On v8 MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.—2Th_3:8-9
MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.—2Th_3:8-9
Self-denying Labour.
Read full note →
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” (2Th_3:8). 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” (2Th_3:8-9)—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 (1Co_9:4-14; Gal_6:6). 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” (2Th_3:9). 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 (2Co_11:8-13). 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
2Th_3:8. 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.
2Th_3:9. Ministerial Maintenance.
I. Is a claim based on scriptural and apostolic authority.
II. The temporary waiving of the right is a noble example of self-denial and unselfish devotion.
III. No personal waiving of the right releases the Church from its obligation.
The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary (gen. ed. Joseph S. Exell; Funk & Wagnalls, c. 1892) — public domain (pre-1929). A full-Bible homiletical/sermon-outline anthology covering 65 of 66 books (2 John is absent from the source module). Text from a community e-Sword module.
William B. Godbey 1900 · Public Domain On v7 7-12. Here we see that while the apostles earned…
ARGUMENT 9
SELF-SUPPORTING EVANGELISM
Read full note →
7-12. Here we see that while the apostles earned their bread by manual labor, they certify (2Th 3:9) that they have a right to their temporal support while preaching the gospel. This is certainly the feasible basis for the evangelization of the world. Delinquency in reference to our temporal support does not excuse us from the commission, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” We are to go and preach just as if we had a bushel of gold lying in the Bank of England to draw on ad libitum, trusting God, with or without human agency, to feed us like he feeds the birds. Thus we are to push the conquest to the ends of the earth, evangelizing all nations under the commission,
“Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the age.” (Mat 28:20.)
With his presence we can certainly trust him for our bread. All this so strikingly contrasts with the financial policy of modern ecclesiasticism, hiring the preacher like a rail-splitter.
William B. Godbey, Commentary on the New Testament (1896–1900) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
J. W. McGarvey 1914 · Public Domain On vv7–9 For yourselves know how ye ought to imitate us:…
For yourselves know how ye ought to imitate us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you ;
J. W. McGarvey (with Philip Y. Pendleton), Commentaries on the New Testament (The Fourfold Gospel, 1914; Acts; and the epistles) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv7–9 3:7 Teaching by example was highly regarded in the…
3:7 Teaching by example was highly regarded in the ancient world. Paul himself provided an example by working for his own food (3:8; 1 Thes 2:9).
Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.