2 Thessalonians 3:7

7 For you yourselves know that it is your duty to follow our example. There was no disorder in our lives 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 may the Lord guide your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ.

6 But, by the authority of the Lord, we command you, brethren, to stand aloof from every brother whose life is disorderly and not in accordance with the teaching which all received from us.

7 For you yourselves know that it is your duty to follow our example. There was no disorder in our lives among you,

8 nor did we eat any one's bread without paying for it, but we laboured and toiled, working hard night and day in order not to be a burden to any of you.

9 This was not because we had not a claim upon you, but it arose from a desire to set you an example--for you to imitate us.