11 We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies.
11 For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.
11 For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies.
11 And now we're getting reports that a bunch of lazy good-for-nothings are taking advantage of you.
11 For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies.
11 Yet we hear that some of you are living idle lives, refusing to work and meddling in other people's business.
12 Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the food they eat.
12 Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.
12 Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.
12 This must not be tolerated. We command them to get to work immediately - no excuses, no arguments - and earn their own keep.
12 Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread.
12 We command such people and urge them in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and work to earn their own living.
(Read 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15)
Those who have received the gospel, are to live according to the gospel. Such as could work, and would not, were not to be maintained in idleness. Christianity is not to countenance slothfulness, which would consume what is meant to encourage the industrious, and to support the sick and afflicted. Industry in our callings as men, is a duty required by our calling as Christians. But some expected to be maintained in idleness, and indulged a curious and conceited temper. They meddled with the concerns of others, and did much harm. It is a great error and abuse of religion, to make it a cloak for idleness or any other sin. The servant who waits for the coming of his Lord aright, must be working as his Lord has commanded. If we are idle, the devil and a corrupt heart will soon find us somewhat to do. The mind of man is a busy thing; if it is not employed in doing good, it will be doing evil. It is an excellent, but rare union, to be active in our own business, yet quiet as to other people's. If any refused to labour with quietness, they were to note him with censure, and to separate from his company, yet they were to seek his good by loving admonitions. The Lords is with you while you are with him. Hold on your way, and hold on to the end. We must never give over, or tire in our work. It will be time enough to rest when we come to heaven.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Thessalonians 3:11
Commentary on 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15
(Read 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15)
Those who have received the gospel, are to live according to the gospel. Such as could work, and would not, were not to be maintained in idleness. Christianity is not to countenance slothfulness, which would consume what is meant to encourage the industrious, and to support the sick and afflicted. Industry in our callings as men, is a duty required by our calling as Christians. But some expected to be maintained in idleness, and indulged a curious and conceited temper. They meddled with the concerns of others, and did much harm. It is a great error and abuse of religion, to make it a cloak for idleness or any other sin. The servant who waits for the coming of his Lord aright, must be working as his Lord has commanded. If we are idle, the devil and a corrupt heart will soon find us somewhat to do. The mind of man is a busy thing; if it is not employed in doing good, it will be doing evil. It is an excellent, but rare union, to be active in our own business, yet quiet as to other people's. If any refused to labour with quietness, they were to note him with censure, and to separate from his company, yet they were to seek his good by loving admonitions. The Lords is with you while you are with him. Hold on your way, and hold on to the end. We must never give over, or tire in our work. It will be time enough to rest when we come to heaven.