2 Thessalonians 3:13

13 Friends, don't slack off in doing your duty.

2 Thessalonians 3:13 Meaning and Commentary

2 Thessalonians 3:13

But ye, brethren
The rest of the members of the church, who were diligent and industrious in their callings, minded their own business, and did not trouble themselves with other men's matters, took care of themselves, and their families, and were beneficent to others:

be not weary in well doing;
which may be understood generally of all well doing, or of doing of every good work; which is well done when done according to the will of God, in faith, and from a principle of love, and in the name and strength of Christ, and with a view to the glory of God: or particularly of acts of beneficence to the poor; for though the idle and lazy should not be relieved, yet the helpless poor should not be neglected. This the apostle observes, lest covetous persons should make an handle of this, and withhold their hands from distributing to any, under a notion of their being idle and disorderly; or lest the saints should be tired, and become weary of doing acts of charity through the ingratitude, moroseness, and ill manners of poor people; see ( Galatians 6:9 ) .

2 Thessalonians 3:13 In-Context

11 And now we're getting reports that a bunch of lazy good-for-nothings are taking advantage of you.
12 This must not be tolerated. We command them to get to work immediately - no excuses, no arguments - and earn their own keep.
13 Friends, don't slack off in doing your duty.
14 If anyone refuses to obey our clear command written in this letter, don't let him get by with it. Point out such a person and refuse to subsidize his freeloading. Maybe then he'll think twice.
15 But don't treat him as an enemy. Sit him down and talk about the problem as someone who cares.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.