2 Thessalonians 3:10

10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, If any will not work, neither let him eat.

2 Thessalonians 3:10 Meaning and Commentary

2 Thessalonians 3:10

For even when we were with you
At Thessalonica in person, and first preached the Gospel to them,

we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat;
the Ethiopic version reads in the singular number, "when I was with you, I commanded you"; using the above words, which were a sort of a proverb with the Jews, and is frequently used by them, (lyka al yad) , or (oygn al yel) , "that if a man would not work, he should not eat" {q}. And again ^F18,

``he that labours on the evening of the sabbath (or on weekdays), he shall eat on the sabbath day; and he who does not labour on the evening of the sabbath, from whence shall he eat (or what right and authority has he to eat) on the sabbath day?''

Not he that could not work through weakness, bodily diseases, or old age, the necessities of such are to be distributed to, and they are to be taken care of, and provided with the necessaries of life by the officers of the church; but those that can work, and will not, ought to starve, for any assistance that should be given them by the members of the church, or the officers of it.

---

FOOTNOTES:

F17 Bereshit Rabba, sect. 14. fol. 13. 1. Echa Rabbati, fol. 48. 4. & Midrash Koholet, fol. 65. 4.
F18 T. Bab. Avoda Zara, fol. 3. 1.

2 Thessalonians 3:10 In-Context

8 neither did we eat bread for nought at any man's hand, but in labor and travail, working night and day, that we might not burden any of you:

9 not because we have not the right, but to make ourselves and ensample unto you, that ye should imitate us.

10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, If any will not work, neither let him eat.

11 For we hear of some that walk among you disorderly, that work not at all, but are busybodies.

12 Now them that are such we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.