2 Thessalonians 3:7 kjv
For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;
2 Thessalonians 3:7 nkjv
For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you;
2 Thessalonians 3:7 niv
For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you,
2 Thessalonians 3:7 esv
For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you,
2 Thessalonians 3:7 nlt
For you know that you ought to imitate us. We were not idle when we were with you.
2 Thessalonians 3 7 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Thess 3:7 | "For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle among you..." | Instruction to imitate apostles' work |
| Acts 18:3 | "...because he was a tentmaker, as they all were." | Paul's example of working |
| 1 Cor 4:12 | "...we work with our own hands." | Apostolic diligence |
| 1 Cor 9:6 | "Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working for a living?" | Apostle's right to not work |
| 1 Thess 2:9 | "For you recall, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day..." | Laborious example |
| 2 Thess 3:8 | "...nor did we eat any of your bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day..." | Continual work |
| Gen 2:15 | "The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and keep it." | Creation mandate to work |
| Gen 3:17-19 | "...By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground..." | Curse involving toil |
| Prov 6:6-8 | "Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. Though she has no prince, no overseer, no ruler, yet she prepares her grain in summer and is a gatherer in season." | Admonition to diligence |
| Prov 10:4 | "A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent brings wealth." | Diligence and its results |
| Prov 12:24 | "The hand of the diligent will rule, but a slack hand will be put to forced labor." | Reward of diligence |
| Prov 13:4 | "The stomach of the sluggard craves, but nothing; the stomach of the diligent is richly supplied." | Consequences of laziness |
| Prov 20:13 | "Love not sleep, lest you come to poverty; open your eyes, and you will be satisfied with food." | Warning against idleness |
| Prov 22:29 | "Do you see a man skillful in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men." | Skill and its recognition |
| Eph 4:28 | "Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with someone in need." | Honest work for provision and sharing |
| Col 3:23 | "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men..." | Working heartily for the Lord |
| Col 3:14 | "And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony." | Love as overarching principle |
| Phil 2:3 | "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves." | Humility in service |
| 1 Tim 5:8 | "But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever." | Responsibility for family provision |
| Rom 12:11 | "Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord." | Fervent service |
| John 6:12 | "And when they had had their fill, he said to his disciples, 'Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost.'" | Stewardship of resources |
2 Thessalonians 3 verses
2 Thessalonians 3 7 Meaning
The verse emphasizes the importance of laboring with one's own hands. It highlights a commitment to working honestly and industriously. This work is presented not just as a personal responsibility but also as a way to earn a living and provide for oneself. The instruction carries a strong ethical and practical dimension, encouraging self-sufficiency and dignity.
2 Thessalonians 3 7 Context
In 2 Thessalonians chapter 3, Paul addresses concerns within the Thessalonian church regarding disruptive individuals who were not working but were living as busybodies. He had previously provided instruction on this matter. This verse serves as a reminder of the apostolic example they should follow, emphasizing that Paul and his companions did not engage in idleness but worked diligently while ministering to them. This instruction is a direct contrast to those who were misusing their time and burdening others within the community, promoting self-reliance and productive labor as a testimony.
2 Thessalonians 3 7 Word Analysis
- ὑμεῖς (hymeis): You (plural). Directly addresses the Thessalonian believers.
- γινώσκετε (ginosketē): Know (present tense, indicative mood). Asserts that they already possess this understanding.
- οὕτως (houtōs): Thus, so. Refers to a manner or way of behaving.
- δεῖ (dei): It is necessary, ought. Implies an obligation or a correct way of conduct.
- μίμημα (mimēma): Imitation, following. A pattern or example to be copied.
- ἡμῶν (hēmōn): Our. Referring to Paul, Silas, and Timothy.
- εἶναι (einai): To be. The infinitive form, part of the verbal construction.
- ἐν (en): In, among.
- τοῖς (tois): The (plural, dative, masculine).
- ἡμῖν (hēmin): Us.
- ἀτάκτως (ataktōs): Disorderly, undisciplined, out of ranks. Characterizing the behavior of the idle.
- ἐν (en): In, among.
- ὑμῖν (hymin): You (plural).
- ἀλλ’ (all’): But. Introducing a contrast.
- ἀργοῦντας (argountas): Idle, inactive, lazy (present, participle, accusative, masculine, plural). The participle modifies the implied subject of "being."
- ἐσθίειν (esthiein): To eat (present, infinitive).
- τι (ti): Anything.
- ἀφ’ (aph’): From.
- ὑμῶν (hymōn): Your.
- ἄρτου (artou): Bread (genitive, singular, masculine).
Words Group Analysis
- "how you ought to follow our example": This phrase points to the conduct of the apostles as a normative pattern for the believers. Their actions (or rather, their work) should serve as a model.
- "We were not idle among you": This directly refutes any implication of laziness or dependency by Paul and his companions during their time in Thessalonica. It sets up a direct comparison for the disruptive members.
- "nor did we eat any of your bread without paying for it": (Referencing the next verse which links to this one directly). This adds the aspect of honest acquisition and reciprocity; they did not freeload.
2 Thessalonians 3 7 Bonus Section
The concept of working with one's own hands (using one's own means to provide) is a recurring theme in the New Testament, particularly in Paul's letters. It’s not merely about economic self-sufficiency but also about avoiding dependency and potentially burdening others unnecessarily. This self-reliance also serves to uphold the integrity and witness of the faith, as it prevents the church from appearing as a group of dependents. It connects to the Old Testament mandate of work in Genesis and is elaborated in Proverbs as a path to well-being. The apostle's commitment to working exemplifies the principle found in Ephesians 4:28, where honest labor is prescribed so that one may have something to share with those in need, indicating a generosity that flows from diligent effort.
2 Thessalonians 3 7 Commentary
This verse establishes the principle that followers of Christ should embody the same diligent work ethic as the apostles. Paul uses their own ministry in Thessalonica as an immediate and verifiable example. He asserts that their work ethic was not one of idleness or freeloading but one of industriousness. This serves as a stark contrast to those within the church who were causing disruption by being idle. The emphasis is on both personal responsibility for one's sustenance and maintaining an honorable reputation within the community, reflecting a kingdom of God ethic that values productivity and mutual support based on honest labor.