2 Thessalonians 3

2 Thessalonians 3 is the third (and the last) chapter of the Second Epistle to the Thessalonians in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. It is authored by Paul the Apostle, Silas, and Saint Timothy.^[1][2]

Text

• The original text is written in Koine Greek.
• Some most ancient manuscripts containing this chapter are:
  • Codex Vaticanus (AD 325-350)
  • Codex Sinaiticus (AD 330-360)
  • Codex Alexandrinus (ca. AD 400-440)
  • Codex Freerianus (ca. AD 450; extant: verses 8-10)
  • Codex Claromontanus (ca. AD 550)
• This chapter is divided into 18 verses.

Structure

This chapter can be grouped (with cross references to other parts of the Bible):

• 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5 = Pray for Us
• 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15 = Warning Against Idleness
• 2 Thessalonians 3:16-18 = Benediction

Verse 10

For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.^[3]

• For even when we were with you, this we commanded you

Given at Thessalonica in person, it was when the Gospel was first preached to them.^[4] The Ethiopic version reads in the singular number, "when I was with you, I commanded you";^[4]

• that if any would not work, neither should he eat;

The above words were a sort of a proverb with the Jews,^[5] and is frequently used by them, (lyka al yad), or (oygn al yel), "that if a man would not work, he should not eat". And again,^[6]

“he that labours on the evening of the sabbath (or on weekdays), he shall eat on the sabbath day; and he who does not labour on the evening of the sabbath, from whence shall he eat (or what right and authority has he to eat) on the sabbath day?”

Not he that could not work through weakness, bodily diseases, or old age, the necessities of such are to be distributed to, and they are to be taken care of, and provided with the necessaries of life by the officers of the church; but those that can work, and will not, ought to starve, for any assistance that should be given them by the members of the church, or the officers of it.^[4]

See also

• Jesus Christ
• Second Coming
• He who does not work, neither shall he eat
• Other related Bible parts: 1 Thessalonians 4, 1 Thessalonians 5

References

1. ↑ Halley, Henry H. Halley's Bible Handbook: an abbreviated Bible commentary. 23rd edition. Zondervan Publishing House. 1962.
2. ↑ Holman Illustrated Bible Handbook. Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee. 2012.
3. ↑ 2 Thessalonians 3:10
4. 1 2 3 John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible, - 2 Thessalonians 3:10
5. ↑ Bereshit Rabba, sect. 14. fol. 13. 1. Echa Rabbati, fol. 48. 4. & Midrash Koholet, fol. 65. 4.
6. ↑ T. Bab. Avoda Zara, fol. 3. 1.

External links

• 2 Thessalonians 3 NIV