1 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed on and triumph, as it did among you, 2 and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men; for not all have faith. 3 But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from evil. 4 And we have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will do the things which we command. 5 May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ. 6 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is living in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us. 7 For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us; we were not idle when we were with you, 8 we did not eat any one's bread without paying, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not burden any of you. 9 It was not because we have not that right, but to give you in our conduct an example to imitate. 10 For even when we were with you, we gave you this command: If any one will not work, let him not eat. 11 For we hear that some of you are living in idleness, mere busybodies, not doing any work. 12 Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work in quietness and to earn their own living. 13 Brethren, do not be weary in well-doing. 14 If any one refuses to obey what we say in this letter, note that man, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed. 15 Do not look on him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother. 16 Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in all ways. The Lord be with you all. 17 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. This is the mark in every letter of mine; it is the way I write. 18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
Commentary on 2 Thessalonians 3
3:6 keep away from any brother: Since every congregation not everyone is obedient to the word of doctrine and some prefer their own pleasure and determination, not that of the law, Paul directs the Thessalonians to turn away from them so that they will realize their error. A brother who is caught doing such things the bishop can bar him not only from the Sacraments but also from common intercourse with his fellows, so that when he is avoided by them he may feel ashamed and repent. (Ambrosiaster) not in accord with the tradition: That is, in opposition to Catholic tradition. (Tertullian)
3:9 not because we have not the right: The thing most praiseworthy of all is that although he had every right to take these things, he refused to do so. A person like that may be of great benefit to those who hear him. They will respect his self discipline and will not be able to ignore what he commands them to do. (Ambrosiaster)
3:10 when we were with you: Those who learn know what they are hearing is true if they see that these things are not neglected by their teacher. Even if they know that what they are being taught is obviously true, if they see that it is ignored |
by their teacher, it will make little impression on his hearers, because actions speak louder than words. (Ambrosiaster) if anyone not work: For certainly he that is idle and yet able to work must need to be a busybody. But alms are given to those only who are not able to support themselves by the work of their own hands, or who teach, and are wholly occupied in the business of teaching. (St. John Chrysostom)
3:14 Those entrusted with the government of the churches must observe this norm; the divine Apostle did not prohibit bodily attention to the wrongdoers, but he deprived them of the liberties in spiritual things. (Theodoret of Cyrus)
3:15 He who admonishes his brother, does it not publicly. He does not make an open show of the insult, but he does it privately and with much address, and grieving, as hurt, and weeping and lamenting. Let us bestow therefore with the disposition of a brother, let us admonish with the good will of a brother, not as if we grieved at giving, but as if we grieved for his transgressing the commandment. (St. John Chrysostom)
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