2 Thessalonians 3:9 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 3:9

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 3:9

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.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Thessalonians 3:1-18

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Thessalonians 3:9

Not because we have not power; that is, to demand support. Paul, as an apostle, had the right of maintenance from the Churches among whom he laboured. This right of support he insists upon in the First Epistle to the Corinthians ( 1 Corinthians 9:1-18 ). But for the sake of his converts, to give them an example of diligent working, and to remove every impediment to the progress of the gospel, he often waived his rights. Thus he did at Thessalonica ( 1 Thessalonians 2:6 , 1 Thessalonians... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Thessalonians 3:9

Not because we have not power ... - See the notes on 1 Corinthians 9:6, 1 Corinthians 9:12, 1 Corinthians 9:14. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Thessalonians 3:6-12

2 Thessalonians 3:6-12. We command you, brethren We solemnly charge you; in the name of the Lord. (see on 1 Corinthians 5:4,) the credit and progress of whose religion are so nearly concerned in the matter; that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother Whatever his rank, circumstances, or profession may be; that walketh disorderly Particularly (as the apostle here means) in not working; that you have no unnecessary converse or society with such. Disorderly persons, ατακτοι , are... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 2 Thessalonians 3:6-18

Work to earn a living (3:6-18)Thinking that Christ was about to return, some believers in Thessalonica stopped working for a living and were being supported by others in the church. Paul says that the church should not support such people. By their selfishness, these idlers are denying the teaching they have received concerning Christian brotherhood (6). They should follow Paul’s example. As a teacher Paul had the right to be supported by those whom he taught, but instead he worked hard to earn... read more