2 Thessalonians 3:7,8

Text (2 Thessalonians 3:7-8)

7 For yourselves know how ye ought to imitate us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you; 8 neither did we eat bread for nought at any man's hand, but in labor and travail, working night and day, that we might not burden any of you:

Translation and Paraphrase

7.

For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us (in the way we lived), because we were not (like) disorderly (soldiers while we were) among you:

8.

Neither did we eat (and get our) bread free gratis from anyone, but (we obtained our food) by (fatiguing) labor and (hard) toil, working day and night, so that we would not (be a) burden (to) any of you.

Notes (2 Thessalonians 3:7-8)

1.

Often I have marvelled that Paul never hesitated to urge people to follow him. We are all aware of our own failings, and are therefore reluctant to tell people to imitate us. But the people in most churches will never rise higher than their leaders. So if the ministers and leaders do not set an example for the people to follow, the people will not rise to new spiritual heights. We should not boast about doing good, but we should not hesitate to be a visible and unashamed example.

2.

Note these other Scriptures where Paul speaks about people following (or, more correctly, imitating) him: 1 Corinthians 11:1; Philippians 3:17; 1 Thessalonians 1:6.

3.

The Thessalonians were commanded to withdraw from every brother who walked disorderly and would not work. (See notes on 2 Thessalonians 3:6.) Paul could say without any hesitation that he himself had NOT walked disorderly among them as far as working was concerned. He had gone far beyond the demands of duty and necessity.

4.

Eating bread for nought means eating free gratis, or at someone else's expense. (The Gr. is dorean, the accusative of dorea, used adverbially.)

5.

Concerning how Paul worked night and day and labored and toiled, see notes on 1 Thessalonians 2:9.

6.

Lest anyone think by this verse that ministers have no right to impose upon their people the burden of supporting them, read the next verse, 2 Thessalonians 3:9.