2 Thessalonians 3

10. For even--Translate, "For also." We not only set you the example, but gave a positive "command."
commanded--Greek imperfect, "We were commanding"; we kept charge of you.
would not work--Greek, "is unwilling to work." BENGEL makes this to be the argument: not that such a one is to have his food withdrawn from him by others; but he proves from the necessity of eating the necessity of working; using this pleasantry, Let him who will not work show himself an angel, that is, do without food as the angels do (but since he cannot do without food, then he ought to be not unwilling to work). It seems to me simpler to take it as a punishment of the idle. Paul often quotes good adages current among the people, stamping them with inspired approval. In the Hebrew, "Bereshith Rabba," the same saying is found; and in the book Zeror, "He who will not work before the sabbath, must not eat on the sabbath."

11. busy bodies--In the Greek the similarity of sound marks the antithesis, "Doing none of their own business, yet overdoing in the business of others." Busy about everyone's business but their own. "Nature abhors a vacuum"; so if not doing one's own business, one is apt to meddle with his neighbor's business. Idleness is the parent of busybodies ( 1 Timothy 5:13 ). Contrast 1 Thessalonians 4:11 .

12. by--The oldest manuscripts read, "IN the Lord Jesus." So the Greek, 1 Thessalonians 4:1 , implying the sphere wherein such conduct is appropriate and consistent. "We exhort you thus, as ministers IN Christ, exhorting our people IN Christ."
with quietness--quiet industry; laying aside restless, bustling, intermeddling officiousness ( 2 Thessalonians 3:11 ).
their own--bread earned by themselves, not another's bread ( 2 Thessalonians 3:8 ).

13. be not weary--The oldest manuscripts read, "Be not cowardly in"; do not be wanting in strenuousness in doing well. EDMUNDS explains it: Do not culpably neglect to do well, namely, with patient industry do your duty in your several callings. In contrast to the "disorderly, not-working busybodies" ( 2 Thessalonians 3:11 ; compare Galatians 6:9 ).

14. note that man--mark him in your own mind as one to be avoided ( 2 Thessalonians 3:6 ).
that he may be ashamed--Greek, "made to turn and look into himself, and so be put to shame." Feeling himself shunned by godly brethren, he may become ashamed of his course.

15. admonish him as a brother--not yet excommunicated (compare Leviticus 19:17 ). Do not shun him in contemptuous silence, but tell him why he is so avoided ( Matthew 18:15 , 1 Thessalonians 5:14 ).

16. Lord of peace--Jesus Christ. The same title is given to Him as to the Father, "the GOD of peace" ( Romans 15:33 , 16:20 , 2 Corinthians 13:11 ). An appropriate title in the prayer here, where the harmony of the Christian community was liable to interruption from the "disorderly." The Greek article requires the translation, "Give you the peace" which it is "His to give." "Peace" outward and inward, here and hereafter ( Romans 14:17 ).
always--unbroken, not changing with outward circumstances.
by all means--Greek, "in every way." Most of the oldest manuscripts read, "in every place"; thus he prays for their peace in all times ("always") and places.
Lord be with you all--May He bless you not only with peace, but also with His presence ( Matthew 28:20 ). Even the disorderly brethren (compare 2 Thessalonians 3:15 , "a brother") are included in this prayer.

17. The Epistle was written by an amanuensis (perhaps Silas or Timothy), and only the closing salutation written by Paul's "own hand" (compare Romans 16:22 , 1 Corinthians 16:21 , Colossians 4:18 ). Wherever Paul does not subjoin this autograph salutation, we may presume he wrote the whole Epistle himself ( Galatians 6:11 ).
which--which autograph salutation.
the token--to distinguish genuine Epistles from spurious ones put forth in my name ( 2 Thessalonians 2:2 ).
in every epistle--Some think he signed his name to every Epistle with his own hand; but as there is no trace of this in any manuscripts of all the Epistles, it is more likely that he alludes to his writing with his own hand in closing every Epistle, even in those Epistles (Romans, Second Corinthians, Ephesians, Philippians, First Thessalonians) wherein he does not specify his having done so.
so I write--so I sign my name: this is a specimen of my handwriting, by which to distinguish my geniune letters from forgeries.

18. He closes every Epistle by praying for GRACE to those whom he addresses.
Amen--omitted in the oldest manuscripts It was doubtless the response of the congregation after hearing the Epistle read publicly; hence it crept into copies.

The Subscription is spurious, as the Epistle was written not "from Athens," but from Corinth.