What does 2 Thessalonians 3:6-12 mean?
"Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us. For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you; Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you: Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us. For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread." - 2 Thessalonians 3:6-12
2 Thessalonians 3:6-12 (KJV):
6 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.
7 For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;
8 Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you:
9 Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.
10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.
11 For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.
12 Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.
This passage from 2 Thessalonians addresses the importance of maintaining order and discipline within the Christian community, particularly in regards to work and contributing to the community. The verses offer guidance on how to handle members of the church who are disruptive or lazy, and they emphasize the importance of leading by example.
In verse 6, Paul, the author of the letter, instructs the Thessalonian believers to distance themselves from those who do not live according to the teachings they have received. This includes those who are disorderly and do not follow the traditions and teachings of the apostles. The command to "withdraw" from such individuals is a call to maintain moral and spiritual discipline within the community.
Paul then appeals to his own behavior as an example for the Thessalonians to follow in verses 7-9. He reminds them that he and his companions did not behave disorderly among them, nor did they expect to be supported by the community without contributing themselves. Instead, they worked tirelessly so as not to burden the church. In doing so, they set an example for the believers to follow, demonstrating the value of hard work and self-sufficiency.
Verse 10 contains a well-known principle: "if any would not work, neither should he eat." This principle emphasizes the importance of diligence and responsibility in providing for oneself, rather than relying on others to provide for them. This is not to say that those who are unable to work should not be cared for, but rather it addresses those who are capable of working but choose not to.
Paul then addresses the issue of idleness and gossip among the believers in verse 11. He points out that there are individuals who are not working at all but are instead acting as busybodies, causing disruption within the community. This goes against the principles of self-sufficiency and productivity that Paul has been advocating throughout the passage.
Finally, in verse 12, Paul commands and exhorts those who are idle and disruptive to work quietly and provide for themselves. This serves as a reminder to the believers that they are responsible for their own livelihood and should not rely on others to support them if they are able to work.
Overall, this passage emphasizes the importance of order, discipline, and hard work within the Christian community. It addresses the need for believers to lead by example, contribute to the community, and avoid disruptive behavior. The principles outlined in these verses are timeless and continue to be relevant to the Christian life today. The passage encourages believers to be diligent in their work, responsible for their own well-being, and to contribute positively to the community of faith.
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2 Thessalonians 3:6-12 Artwork
2 Thessalonians 3:6-12 - "Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone's bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate. For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living."
"Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone's bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate. For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living." - 2 Thessalonians 3:6-12
2 Thessalonians 3:6-7
2 Thessalonians 3:6 - "Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us."
2 Thessalonians 3:12 - "Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread."
2 Thessalonians 3: 6 But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us.
2 Thessalonians 3:13 - "But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing."
2 Thessalonians 2:6 - "And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time."
2 Thessalonians 3:3 - "But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil."
2 Thessalonians 3:15 - "Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother."
1 Thessalonians 2:3 - "For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:"
2 Thessalonians 3:2 - "And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith."
2 Thessalonians 3:18 - "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen."
2 Thessalonians 1:6 - "Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;"
2 Thessalonians 3:5 - "And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ."
2Th 3:12 (KJVA) 12 Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.
"Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us." - 2 Thessalonians 3:6
1 Thessalonians 3:12 - "And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:"
2 Thessalonians 3:7 - "For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;"
"Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread." - 2 Thessalonians 3:12
"But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing." - 2 Thessalonians 3:13
1 Thessalonians 2:12 - "That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory."
2 Thessalonians 3:11 - "For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies."
2 Thessalonians 3:9 - "Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us."
2 Thessalonians 3:17 - "The salutation of Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write."
2 Thessalonians 3:16 - "Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all."
2 Thessalonians 3:1 - "Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:"
2 Thessalonians 3:10-12 - "For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: "The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat." We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies. Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the food they eat."
2 Thessalonians 3:10 - "For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat."
2 Thessalonians 2:3 - "Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;"