2 Thessalonians 3:10-13 NIV

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Thessalonians 3:10

Verse 10 10He that will not labor. From its being written in Psalms 128:2 — Thou art blessed, eating of the labor of thy hands, also in Proverbs 10:4, The blessing of the Lord is upon the hands of him that laboreth, it is certain that indolence and idleness are accursed of God. Besides, we know that man was created with this view, that he might do something. Not only does Scripture testify this to us, but nature itself taught it to the heathen. Hence it is reasonable, that those, who wish... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Thessalonians 3:11

Verse 11 11We hear that there are some among you. It is probable that this kind of drones were, as it were, the seed of idle monkhood. For, from the very beginning, there were some who, under pretext of religion, either made free with the tables of others, or craftily drew to themselves the substance of the simple. They had also, even in the time of Augustine, come to prevail so much, that he was constrained to write a book expressly against idle monks, where he complains with good reason of... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Thessalonians 3:12

Verse 12 12Now we command such. He corrects both of the faults of which he had made mention — a blustering restlessness, and retirement from useful employment. He accordingly exhorts them, in the first place, to cultivate repose — that is, to keep themselves quietly within the limits of their calling, or, as we commonly say, “sans faire bruit ,” (without making a noise.) For the truth is this: those are the most peaceable of all, that exercise themselves in lawful employments; (722) while those... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Thessalonians 3:13

Verse 13 13And you, brethren. Ambrose is of opinion that this is added lest the rich should, in a niggardly spirit, refuse to lend their aid to the poor, because he had exhorted them to eat every one his own bread. And, unquestionably, we see how many are unbefittingly ingenious in catching at a pretext for inhumanity. (724) Chrysostom explains it thus — that indolent persons, however justly they may be condemned, must nevertheless be assisted when in want. I am simply of opinion, that Paul had... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Thessalonians 3:1-18

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Thessalonians 3:10

For even when we were with you; during our residence in Thessalonica. This we commanded, that if any man would not work, neither should he eat. This or similar expressions have been shown to be a proverb in frequent use among the Jews. Thus: "Whoever doth not work doth not eat" ('Bereshith Rabba'); "Let not him who would not labour before the sabbath eat on the sabbath" ('In Lib. Zenon.'). It is a law of nature, and the apostle here sanctions it as a law of Christianity. There is here a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Thessalonians 3:11

For ; the reason for the allusion to this proverb. We hear. The apostle had either heard from Timothy who had rejoined him from Thessalonica, or from the report of the bearers of the First Epistle. That there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. There is here a paranomasia or play upon words, the words "working" and "busybodies" being cognate. It is difficult to preserve the resemblance in a translation. "Busy only with what is not their own... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Thessalonians 3:12

Now them that are such we command and exhort by (or, as the best manuscripts read, in ) our Lord Jesus Christ ; in him, as the source of authority; "In his Name." That with quietness. In contrast to being busybodies, with calmness of spirit, freedom from excitement. They work, and eat their own bread; not the bread of others, but their own, for which they have laboured and which they have earned. They would thus be independent of the liberality and generosity of others. (For... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Thessalonians 3:13

But ye, brethren; contrasted with those who walk disorderly, ye who have not neglected your worldly employments. Be not weary in well doing; or, as it is in the margin, faint not in well doing ; "lose not heart in well doing" (Ellicott). The phrase has been differently interpreted. Thus Chrysostom explains it that indolent persons, however justly they may be condemned, must not be suffered to perish from want—a meaning opposed to the context. Calvin renders it that, although there are... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Thessalonians 3:10

For even when we were with you, this we commanded you - It would seem from this that the evil of which the apostle here complains had begun to operate even when he was with them. There were those who were disposed to be idle, and who needed the solemn command of an apostle to induce them to labor.That if any would not work, neither should he eat - That is, at the public expense. They should not be supported by the church. This was a maxim among the Jews (see Wetstein, in loc.), and the same... read more

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Thessalonians 3:10

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Thessalonians 3:11

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Thessalonians 3:12

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Thessalonians 3:13

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Thessalonians 3:1-18

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Thessalonians 3:10

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Thessalonians 3:11

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Thessalonians 3:12

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Thessalonians 3:13

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Thessalonians 3:10

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