2 Thessalonians 3:9

OLBGrk;

The contents of this verse are already spoken to in the former, only the apostle asserts the right of maintenance due to the ministry by the name of power. It may be claimed by authority from Christ, though it should not be commanded by any laws from men. As the priests under the law had their maintenance settled upon them by the law of God; so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel, 1 Corinthians 9:14 Galatians 6:6. And though this power may be claimed, yet in some cases it is to be denied, as the apostle did, 1 Corinthians 9:12: We have not used this power; lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ. And so he did here, to make himself an example, tupon, which signifies any mark that is cut or engraven to stamp things into its own likeness; oft used in the New Testament, and variously applied. But to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us: it is desirable to follow good examples, but more to become a good example: and as the old verse is true, Regis ad exemplum, & c., so the old proverb, "Like priests, like people"; and to follow them is to imitate them, as 1 Corinthians 11:1: Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. He is the first pattern, and others are to be regulated by it; and so far, and no further, to be imitated. As ministers ought to be patterns, Titus 2:7 1 Peter 5:3; so the people ought to be followers, and their sin will be the greater if they follow not their doctrine, when it is exemplified in their practice.