"For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat." — 2 Thessalonians 3:10

2 Thessalonians 3:10 · KJV

“For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.”

— 2 Thessalonians 3:10

Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.

For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.

2 Thessalonians 3 — Context

Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you:

Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.

For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.

For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.

Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.

Cross References

Genesis 3:19

In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou {art}, and unto dust shalt thou return.

1 Thessalonians 4:11

And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;

Proverbs 13:4

The soul of the sluggard desireth, and {hath} nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.

Proverbs 20:4

The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; {therefore} shall he beg in harvest, and {have} nothing. {cold: or, winter}

Proverbs 21:25

The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.

Proverbs 24:30-34

I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding;

1 Thessalonians 3:4

For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know.

John 16:4

But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you.