2 Tesalonicenses 3:9

9 no porque no tuviéramos potestad, sino por daros en nosotros un ejemplo, para que nos imitarais

2 Tesalonicenses 3:9 Meaning and Commentary

2 Thessalonians 3:9

Not because we have not power
To forbear working, or require a maintenance from the churches to whom we minister, since Christ has ordained, that they that preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel; see ( 1 Corinthians 9:4-6 1 Corinthians 9:14 ) . This the apostle says to preserve their right of claim, when and where they should think fit to make use of it; and lest other ministers of the word, who could not support themselves as they did, should be hurt by such an example; and lest covetous men should make use of it to indulge their sin, and improve it against the maintenance of Gospel ministers: wherefore the apostle observes to them, that they did not do this, as conscious that they had no right to demand a supply from them,

but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us;
for it seems there were many idle lazy persons among them, who either had no callings or trades, or did not attend to them; wherefore the apostles wrought with their own hands, to set an example, who could not for shame but work, when they saw persons in so high an office, and of such a character, working with labour and travail, night and day, among them.

2 Tesalonicenses 3:9 In-Context

7 porque vosotros sabéis de qué manera es necesario imitarnos, porque no anduvimos desordenadamente entre vosotros

8 ni comimos el pan de balde de ninguno; sino obrando con trabajo y fatiga de noche y de día, para no ser gravosos a ninguno de vosotros

9 no porque no tuviéramos potestad, sino por daros en nosotros un ejemplo, para que nos imitarais

10 Porque aun estando con vosotros, os denunciábamos esto: Que si alguno no quisiere trabajar, tampoco coma

11 Porque oímos que andan algunos entre vosotros fuera de orden, no trabajando en nada, sino ocupados en curiosear