2 Thessalonians 3:9 - Printer Friendly

ESV: It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate.

NIV: We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate.

NASB: not because we do not have the right to this, but in order to offer ourselves as a role model for you, so that you would follow our example.

CSB: It is not that we don't have the right to support, but we did it to make ourselves an example to you so that you would imitate us.

NLT: We certainly had the right to ask you to feed us, but we wanted to give you an example to follow.

KJV: Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.

NKJV: not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us.

Paul assures his readers that he and his missionary team had a right to accept financial help when he was in Thessalonica, but they chose to work hard to support themselves in order to set an example for the believers to follow.

In his letter to the Philippians he thanked his readers for supporting his ministry. He wrote in Philippians 4:16–17: "Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit." In his first letter to Timothy he instructed, "Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, 'You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain.' And 'The laborer deserves his wages'" (1 Timothy 5:17–18). Further, in Galatians 6:6, Paul exhorts those who are taught the Word to share all good things with their teacher.

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.

Accessed 4/28/2024 2:49:59 PM