2 Thessalonians 3:12

Nowthem that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ The "exhort" of the first Epistle (1 Thessalonians 4:10) is now charge and exhort, put with a new tone of sternness.

Not bybut in the Lord Jesus Christ (R.V.); on this phrase both as to the preposition, and the triple namesee notes to 2 Thessalonians 3:4 above, also 1 Thessalonians 4:1; 1 Thessalonians 1:1 (p. 47). The appeal assumes a character of the most grave urgency.

These idle meddlers, a burden and scandal to the Church, the Apostle "charges, and appeals" to them, on the ground of their relationship to Christ and with all the weight of Christ's authority committed to him, that working with quietness, they eat their own bread not the bread of their honest and laborious brethren. See notes to 2 Thessalonians 3:8, and 1 Thessalonians 4:11.

In the Teaching of the Twelve Apostles(ch. 1), probably the oldest Post-Apostolic writing extant, there is a remarkable warning addressed both to givers and receivers of alms, which illustrates this passage: "Blessed is he that giveth according to the commandment, for he is guiltless. Woe to him that takes! For if indeed one takes out of necessity, he will be guiltless; but he who takes without need shall give account why he took, and for what purpose; and thrown into prison he will be examined respecting his conduct, and will not come out thence until he has paid the uttermost farthing. Moreover, concerning this matter it has been said: Let thine alms sweat into thy hands, until thou knowest to whom thou shouldst give."