2 Thessalonians 3:10 - Printer Friendly

ESV: For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.

NIV: For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: "The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat."

NASB: For even when we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either.

CSB: In fact, when we were with you, this is what we commanded you: "If anyone isn’t willing to work, he should not eat."

NLT: Even while we were with you, we gave you this command: 'Those unwilling to work will not get to eat.'

KJV: For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.

NKJV: For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.

Paul and his associates had taught the Thessalonian believers not to tolerate those who were capable of work, yet chose to be idle. In modern terms, such a person might be called a "slacker." Paul labels such a person as unworthy of assistance. He instructs the Thessalonians not to support those who were unwilling to work. This parallels guidelines given by Paul in passages such as 1 Timothy 5:11–13.

It's clear in the text itself, but worth emphasizing, that Paul did not say those who were unable to work were unworthy of support. There is absolutely no similarity between someone physically unable to work and someone who is able to work but refuses to do so. Jesus put His stamp of approval on helping the poor, when He told a man, "If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me" (Matthew 19:21). If Christians are poor and needy through no fault of their own, their fellow believers should help them financially and/or materially. For this reason many churches maintain a benevolence fund. Paul collected money to help the poor believers in Jerusalem (Acts 11:27–30; Romans 15:26; 1 Corinthians 16:1–3; Galatians 2:10).

This guideline is not about being judgmental or vindictive. Rather it is practical, spiritual, and loving. Resources which could have truly helped the helpless are wasted when given, instead, to those who are simply lazy. Supporting those who are content to live on handouts enables a spiritually-toxic attitude (Proverbs 18:9,; 19:15). This discernment can be uplifting: an able-bodied person will often stop looking for handouts and start looking for employment when the stomach growls or the rent comes due. For the good of the church, the culture, and the lazy person themselves, believers have an obligation not to give charity to those who are merely freeloading.

Second Thessalonians 3:6–15 addresses the sin of idleness. Paul calls on the church at Thessalonica to avoid any brother who makes idleness habitual. He reminds his readers that he and his associates were not idle when they were in Thessalonica. They did not assume they'd be pampered, rather they refused to eat without paying for the meal. They had the right to receive financial and material support for their ministry, but they chose to labor to the point of exhaustion so they would not burden anyone. Their hard work served as an example for the Christians to follow. Paul explains that idleness had turned some members of the church into busybodies, and he prescribes the disciplinary action the church should follow to put an end to idleness.

Paul expresses confidence that the Thessalonians would do what he commanded. He addresses the sin of idleness in the lives of some of the believers at Thessalonica, commanding the church to avoid an idle brother. Paul also points to his own example of diligence, when he refused to rely on charity. Paul clearly separates charity for the needy from foolishly supporting those who are merely lazy: If anyone is not willing to work, don't feed him. The letter ends with a prayer for peace among the Thessalonian believers. Paul also assures his readers that 2 Thessalonians is authentic because it bears his signature.

The prior chapter explained the events which would precede the ''day of the Lord:'' a time of severe judgment. Among these were a time of deep spiritual rebellion and the rise of a figure referred to as the ''man of lawlessness.'' Chapter 2 ended with a reference to the Thessalonians being established in good works. This chapter continues that theme, focusing on the need for Christians to exhibit a strong work ethic. This extends to the way the church applies charity, not wasting it on those who are capable of work, but simply choose not to. These thoughts complete Paul's second letter to the Thessalonians.

Second Thessalonians follows Paul's earlier letter to the same group of Christian believers. In 1 Thessalonians, Paul had praised them for their faithfulness and given them reassurances about the day of the Lord. This included teachings on the rapture and a description of death as ''sleep'' from a Christian viewpoint. In this second letter, Paul corrects possible misunderstandings about those ideas. Among his teachings here are the importance of a good work ethic and God's impending judgment on sin, including judgment on those who persecute the Christian church. Paul also provides the Thessalonians with reassurances that they have not somehow missed out on Christ's return.