2 Thessalonians 3:7-9 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15

The apostle having commended their obedience for the time past, and mentioned his confidence in their obedience for the time to come, proceeds to give them commands and directions to some who were faulty, correcting some things that were amiss among them. Observe, The best society of Christians may have some faulty persons among them, and some things that ought to be reformed. Perfection is not to be found on this side heaven: but evil manners beget good laws; the disorders that Paul heard of... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 2 Thessalonians 3:6-18

3:6-18 Brothers, we command you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, keep yourselves from every brother who behaves like a truant from duty and who does not conduct himself in accordance with the teaching which they received from us, for you yourselves know that you must imitate us because we never played the truant from work when we were among you nor did we eat bread which we had received from you without paying for it, but in labour and toil we kept on working night and day so that we... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Thessalonians 3:7

For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us ,.... The apostle goes on to dissuade from that which denominates persons disorderly walkers, and exposes them to the censure of the church, and that partly by the example of the apostles, and partly by their command. He appeals to them, to their knowledge and judgment, it being a thing well known to them, that they ought to walk as they had the apostles for ensamples; for who should they follow but their spiritual fathers, shepherds, and guides?... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Thessalonians 3:8

Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought .... Or freely, at free cost, without paying for it; he signifies, that what they ate, they bought with their own money, and lived on no man, without giving him a valuable consideration for what they had; though if they had not paid in money for their food, they would not have ate it for nought, since they laboured among them in preaching the Gospel to them; and such labourers are worthy of their maintenance, Luke 10:7 though the former sense... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Thessalonians 3:9

Not because we have not power ,.... To forbear working, or require a maintenance from the churches to whom we minister, since Christ has ordained, that they that preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel; see 1 Corinthians 9:4 . This the apostle says to preserve their right of claim, when and where they should think fit to make use of it; and lest other ministers of the word, who could not support themselves as they did, should be hurt by such an example; and lest covetous men should... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Thessalonians 3:7

We behaved not ourselves disorderly - Ουκ ητακτησαμεν· We did not go out of our rank - we kept our place, and discharged all its duties. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Thessalonians 3:8

Neither did we eat any man's bread for naught - We paid for what we bought, and worked with our hands that we might have money to buy what was necessary. Labour and travail night and day - We were incessantly employed, either in preaching the Gospel, visiting from house to house, or working at our calling. As it is very evident that the Church at Thessalonica was very pious, and most affectionately attached to the apostle, they must have been very poor, seeing he was obliged to work hard... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Thessalonians 3:9

Not because we have not power - We have the power, εξουσιαν , the right, to be maintained by those in whose behalf we labor. The laborer is worthy of his hire, is a maxim universally acknowledged and respected; and they who preach the Gospel should live by the Gospel: the apostle did not claim his privilege, but labored for his own support, that he might be an example to those whom he found otherwise disposed, and that he might spare the poor. See 1 Corinthians 9:1 , etc. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Thessalonians 3:9

Verse 9 9Not because we have not. As Paul wished by his laboring to set an example, that idle persons might not like drones (707) eat the bread of others, so he was not willing that this very thing (708) should do injury to the ministers of the word, so that the Churches should defraud them of their proper livelihood. In this we may see his singular moderation and humanity, and how far removed he was from the ambition of those who abuse their powers, so as to infringe upon the rights of their... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 2 Thessalonians 3:6-18

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Thessalonians 3:7

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Thessalonians 3:8

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Thessalonians 3:9

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Thessalonians 3:7

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Thessalonians 3:8

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Thessalonians 3:9

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Thessalonians 3:9

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Thessalonians 3:1-18

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