2 Thessalonians 3:7

7 For you know in what manner you ought to imitate us, for we did not walk disorderly among you,

2 Thessalonians 3:7 Meaning and 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? and especially so far as they were followers of Christ, as they were, in the case referred unto, working with their own hands:

for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;
they could appeal to them as witnesses, and God also, how holily, justly, and unblamably they walked among them; see ( 1 Thessalonians 2:10 ) and particularly, that they did not live an idle and inactive life among them.

2 Thessalonians 3:7 In-Context

5 And the Lord make your hearts upright in the charity of God and in the hope of the Christ.

6 Now we charge you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walks out of order, and not after the doctrine which ye received of us.

7 For you know in what manner you ought to imitate us, for we did not walk disorderly among you,

8 neither did we eat any man’s bread for nought, but working with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you,

9 Not because we did not have authority, but to give you an example that you might imitate us.