2 Thessalonians 3:8 - Printer Friendly

ESV: 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.

NIV: nor did we eat anyone's food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you.

NASB: nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with labor and hardship we kept working night and day so that we would not be a burden to any of you;

CSB: we did not eat anyone's food free of charge; instead, we labored and toiled, working night and day, so that we would not be a burden to any of you.

NLT: We never accepted food from anyone without paying for it. We worked hard day and night so we would not be a burden to any of you.

KJV: 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:

NKJV: nor did we eat anyone’s bread free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you,

Paul recalls how he and his coworkers conducted themselves when they were in Thessalonica. They refused to lazily take charity when they were able to provide for themselves. When they ate, they paid for what they ate. They worked diligently night and day to be self-supporting, because they did not want to be a financial burden to the Thessalonian Christians. Their example, therefore, stood in stark contrast to idleness. In his first letter to the Thessalonians Paul had stated this fact (1 Thessalonians 2:9). Now he mentions it again.

As Paul states elsewhere in his letters (1 Corinthians 9:14, 1 Timothy 5:17–18), those who work in ministry ought to be supported by their fellow Christians. This applies both to those serving in that particular congregation, as well as those who minister as missionaries (2 Corinthians 11:8). Paul's point here is not that all ministers, or pastors, or missionaries, are supposed to be entirely self-sufficient. Nor is it to insist that believers be in a state of strain and business every waking moment. Rather, the purpose of this message is to remind the Thessalonians of the importance of a good work ethic, especially in spiritual matters.

It was customary in Hebrew culture for every boy to learn a trade. Apparently Paul learned the tent-making trade and practiced it to support himself when he was a missionary. According to Acts 18:1–4 he stayed with Aquila and Priscilla at Corinth, because all three were tent makers, and while he pursued his trade he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath as he tried to win Jews and Greeks to Christ.

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.