Discipline for the Idle and the Call to Work
2 Thessalonians 3:6-15
2Thess.3.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Παραγγελλομεν: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,pl
- δε: CONJ
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
- αδελφοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- εν: PREP
- ονοματι: NOUN,dat,sg,n
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- κυριου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- ημων: PRON,gen,pl,1
- Ιησου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- Χριστου: PROPN,gen,sg,m
- στελλεσθαι: VERB,pres,mid/pass,inf
- υμας: PRON,acc,pl,2
- απο: PREP
- παντος: ADJ,gen,sg,masc
- αδελφου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- ατακτως: ADV
- περιπατουντος: VERB,pres,act,part,gen,m,sg
- και: CONJ
- μη: PART
- κατα: PREP
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- παραδοσιν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- ην: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- παρελαβοσαν: VERB,aor,act,ptcp,acc,sg,f
- παρ᾽ημων: PREP+PRON,gen,pl,1
Parallels
- 2 Thessalonians 3:11-14 (structural): Immediate context—Paul expands on the same command, identifying idle/disorderly members, instructing believers to warn them, not to keep company, and if unrepentant to regard them as outsiders.
- 1 Corinthians 5:11-13 (thematic): Paul prescribes withdrawal from a morally erring brother and calls for exclusion from the assembly—similar disciplinary practice of separating from a problematic member.
- Titus 3:10-11 (structural): Instruction to warn a divisive person once and then have nothing more to do with them parallels the directive to separate from those who walk disorderly.
- Romans 16:17 (verbal): Paul urges believers to 'watch out for' and 'avoid' those who cause divisions and obstacles contrary to the teaching they received—closely parallels the command to keep away from disorderly brothers.
- Matthew 18:15-17 (allusion): Jesus’ procedure for dealing with a sinning brother (private rebuke, then witnesses, then treating him as a Gentile/tax collector) provides the broader model of escalating discipline reflected in Paul’s instruction to withdraw from recalcitrant members.
Alternative generated candidates
- Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ: keep away from every brother who walks in idleness and not according to the tradition you received from us.
- Now we command you, brothers, in the Lord Jesus, that you keep away from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which you received from us.
2Thess.3.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- αυτοι: PRON,nom,pl,3
- γαρ: PART
- οιδατε: VERB,perf,act,ind,2,pl
- πως: ADV
- δει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- μιμεισθαι: VERB,pres,mid,inf
- ημας: PRON,acc,pl,1
- οτι: CONJ
- ουκ: PART,neg
- ητακτησαμεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,1,pl
- εν: PREP
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
Parallels
- 1 Corinthians 4:16 (verbal): Paul's explicit exhortation 'Be imitators of me' parallels 2 Thess 3:7's appeal that the Thessalonians know how to imitate the apostles' example.
- 1 Corinthians 11:1 (verbal): The formula 'Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ' echoes the same ethical‑exemplary language—calling believers to follow the apostolic pattern.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:9 (thematic): Paul's reminder that he worked night and day so as not to be a burden closely parallels the claim in 2 Thess 3:7 that the apostles did not behave disorderly among them (defending apostolic conduct and example).
- 2 Thessalonians 3:10 (structural): The immediate context: the injunction 'If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat' follows and amplifies 3:7's concern with disorderly/idle behavior, linking example to ethical command.
- 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 (thematic): The admonition to 'aspire to live quietly and to mind your own affairs and to work with your hands' connects thematically to 2 Thess 3:7's critique of disorderly/idle conduct and the call to imitate the apostles' responsible behavior.
Alternative generated candidates
- For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us; for we were not idle among you,
- For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us; for we did not act disorderly among you,
2Thess.3.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ουδε: CONJ,neg
- δωρεαν: ADV
- αρτον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- εφαγομεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,1,pl
- παρα: PREP
- τινος: PRON,gen,sg,m
- αλλ᾽εν: CONJ
- κοπω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- μοχθω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- νυκτος: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- ημερας: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- εργαζομενοι: VERB,pres,mid,part,nom,pl,m
- προς: PREP
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- μη: PART
- επιβαρησαι: VERB,aor,act,inf
- τινα: PRON,acc,sg,m
- υμων·: PRON,gen,pl,2
Parallels
- 1 Thessalonians 2:9 (verbal): Uses nearly identical wording — Paul recalls working 'night and day' and laboring so as not to be a burden while proclaiming the gospel.
- 2 Thessalonians 3:7 (structural): Immediate context in the same chapter: Paul urges the Thessalonians to imitate him, asserting he was not idle while with them—supports the claim made in v.8 about working.
- 2 Thessalonians 3:9 (verbal): Paul explains the motive for working: not to claim rights but to serve as an example; this restates and interprets the point of v.8.
- Acts 20:34-35 (thematic): Paul says he worked with his own hands to support himself and others and cites the ethic of giving rather than being supported — parallels the practice of self-support in v.8.
- Ephesians 4:28 (thematic): Instructs believers to work honestly so they are not dependent and can help others, echoing the ethical emphasis on productive labor and avoiding being a burden.
Alternative generated candidates
- nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you.
- nor did we eat anyone’s bread without payment; rather, with toil and labor we worked night and day so as not to be a burden to any of you.
2Thess.3.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ουχ: PART,neg
- οτι: CONJ
- ουκ: PART,neg
- εχομεν: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,pl
- εξουσιαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- αλλ᾽ινα: CONJ
- εαυτους: PRON,acc,pl,m
- τυπον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- δωμεν: VERB,pres,act,sub,1,pl
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
- εις: PREP
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- μιμεισθαι: VERB,pres,mid,inf
- ημας: PRON,acc,pl,1
Parallels
- 2 Thessalonians 3:7-8 (verbal): Paul immediately repeats the same point: he and his companions were not idle but worked with their hands so they could be an example for believers—same defense of labor and model behavior.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:9 (verbal): Paul recalls working night and day so as not to burden the Thessalonians—same claim of voluntary labor to set a pattern for the community.
- 1 Corinthians 11:1 (verbal): Paul's injunction 'Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ' parallels the concrete call to imitate Paul's example expressed in 2 Thess 3:9.
- Philippians 3:17 (thematic): Paul urges believers to 'join in following my example,' echoing the theme of providing oneself as a model for others to imitate.
- Acts 20:34-35 (thematic): Paul describes working with his own hands to support himself and to provide an example, including the ethic of labor and helping the weak that underlies 2 Thess 3:9.
Alternative generated candidates
- Not that we do not have authority, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate.
- Not that we have no right to this, but that we might make ourselves an example to you, that you should imitate us.
2Thess.3.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- γαρ: PART
- οτε: CONJ
- ημεν: VERB,impf,act,ind,1,pl
- προς: PREP
- υμας: PRON,acc,pl,2
- τουτο: PRON,nom,sg,n
- παρηγγελλομεν: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,pl
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
- οτι: CONJ
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- τις: PRON,nom,sg,?
- ου: PART,neg
- θελει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- εργαζεσθαι: VERB,pres,mid/pass,inf
- μηδε: CONJ
- εσθιετω: VERB,pres,act,imp,3,sg
Parallels
- 2 Thessalonians 3:11 (verbal): Same context and wording—identifies some in the congregation as 'idle' or 'not working,' directly continuing the injunction that those unwilling to work should not eat.
- 2 Thessalonians 3:8 (verbal): Paul appeals to his own example of working and not being a burden to others, supporting the ethical demand that believers should work for their sustenance.
- 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 (thematic): Paul instructs the Thessalonians to 'aspire to live quietly, to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands,' echoing the ethic of personal industry and respectable conduct.
- Acts 20:34 (verbal): Paul reminds the Ephesian elders that he 'worked with his own hands' to support himself and companions—an autobiographical precedent for the exhortation against idleness.
- 1 Timothy 5:8 (thematic): Stresses responsibility to provide for one's household, thematically linked to the obligation to work and not rely on others for basic needs.
Alternative generated candidates
- For even when we were with you we gave this command: If anyone will not work, neither let him eat.
- For even when we were with you we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.
2Thess.3.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ακουομεν: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,pl
- γαρ: PART
- τινας: PRON,acc,pl,m
- περιπατουντας: VERB,pres,act,ptc,acc,m,pl
- εν: PREP
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
- ατακτως: ADV
- μηδεν: PRON,acc,sg,n
- εργαζομενους: PART,pres,mid,acc,pl,masc
- αλλα: CONJ
- περιεργαζομενους·: PART,pres,mid,acc,pl,masc
Parallels
- 2 Thess 3:10 (verbal): Directly connected disciplinary maxim in the same context: 'If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat' — enforces the requirement to labor rather than be idle.
- 1 Tim 5:13 (verbal): Uses very similar language about becoming idle, 'wandering from house to house' and becoming 'tattlers and busybodies,' closely matching the portrait of unruly, non‑working members.
- 1 Thess 4:11-12 (thematic): Paul's earlier exhortation to 'aspire to live quietly, to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands' presents the positive counterpart to rebuking those who are idle and meddlesome.
- Eph 4:28 (thematic): Commands the former thief to 'work, doing something useful with his own hands,' framing labor as ethical and charitable (so he can share with those in need), paralleling the moral rationale against idleness.
- Acts 18:3 (structural): Narrative example of Paul working as a tentmaker ('working with his hands') — models the apostolic practice of honest labor instead of being a burden or idle member of the community.
Alternative generated candidates
- For we hear that some among you walk disorderly, busybodies, not working at all but meddling in what does not concern them.
- For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work but busybodies.
2Thess.3.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,n
- δε: CONJ
- τοιουτοις: ADJ,dat,pl,m
- παραγγελλομεν: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,pl
- και: CONJ
- παρακαλουμεν: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,pl
- εν: PREP
- κυριω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- Ιησου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- Χριστω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- ινα: CONJ
- μετα: PREP
- ησυχιας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- εργαζομενοι: VERB,pres,mid,part,nom,pl,m
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- εαυτων: PRON,gen,pl,3
- αρτον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- εσθιωσιν: VERB,pres,act,subj,3,pl
Parallels
- 2 Thessalonians 3:10 (verbal): Directly connected command in the same letter: the rule 'If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat' undergirds the exhortation that idle persons should work for their bread.
- 1 Thessalonians 4:11–12 (verbal): Very similar wording and instruction—'to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands'—both passages urge peaceful, self-sufficient labor.
- Ephesians 4:28 (thematic): Echoes the ethical principle of honest labor and self-sufficiency ('let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands'), linking work to rightful provision and readiness to help others.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:9 (structural): Paul's example of working night and day so as not to be a burden to the Thessalonians provides the apostolic precedent and rhetorical basis for commanding others to work.
- 1 Timothy 5:8 (thematic): Affirms the moral responsibility to provide for oneself/household—complements the exhortation that people should work and eat their own bread rather than be idle or burdensome.
Alternative generated candidates
- Now such persons we command and exhort by the Lord Jesus Christ to labor quietly and to eat their own bread.
- Now such we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to work quietly and to eat their own bread.
2Thess.3.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- υμεις: PRON,nom,pl,2
- δε: CONJ
- αδελφοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- μη: PART
- εγκακησητε: VERB,pres,act,subj,2,pl
- καλοποιουντες: PART,pres,act,nom,pl,m
Parallels
- Galatians 6:9 (verbal): Same admonition: 'do not grow weary in doing good' (ἀγαθοποιεῖν) and promise of a harvest if perseverance continues—closest verbal parallel.
- 1 Corinthians 15:58 (thematic): Encourages believers to be 'steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord,' echoing the call to persistent, unwearying faithful activity.
- Hebrews 12:3 (thematic): Warns believers to consider Christ's endurance so that they 'do not grow weary or faint in your minds'—shares the theme of perseverance under discouragement.
- Hebrews 6:10 (thematic): Assures that God 'is not unjust' and will remember believers' 'work and labor of love,' encouraging continued good works despite weariness.
- Romans 12:11 (structural): Exhorts Christians to be 'not slothful in zeal, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord,' a parallel exhortation about maintaining diligence and zeal in Christian duties.
Alternative generated candidates
- As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good.
- But you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good.
2Thess.3.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Ει: PART
- δε: CONJ
- τις: PRON,nom,sg,?
- ουχ: PART,neg
- υπακουει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- λογω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- ημων: PRON,gen,pl,1
- δια: PREP
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- επιστολης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- τουτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- σημειουσθε: VERB,pres,mid/pass,imp,2,pl
- μη: PART
- συναναμιγνυσθαι: VERB,pres,mid/pass,inf
- αυτω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- ινα: CONJ
- εντραπη·: VERB,aor,pass,subj,3,sg
Parallels
- 2 Thessalonians 3:6 (verbal): Immediate parallel in the same letter: an explicit command to withdraw from those who walk disorderly — same disciplinary instruction to mark and avoid.
- 1 Corinthians 5:11-13 (verbal): Paul instructs the community not to associate with a brother practicing sin (not even to eat with him) and to hand such a one over to Satan — closely parallels exclusion as church discipline.
- Titus 3:10 (verbal): Directive to reject a factious person after one or two warnings — a succinct, verbal analogue to marking and avoiding the unrepentant.
- Matthew 18:15-17 (thematic): Jesus’ procedure for confronting sin in the community that culminates in treating an unrepentant person as an outsider — thematically parallel process of discipline and exclusion.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:14 (thematic): Pastoral exhortation to admonish the unruly and encourage the fainthearted — related corrective and restorative aims behind communal discipline.
Alternative generated candidates
- If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of him, and have no company with him, that he may be put to shame.
- And if anyone does not obey our word in this letter, take note of him and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.
2Thess.3.15 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- μη: PART
- ως: ADV
- εχθρον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- ηγεισθε: VERB,aor,act,ind,2,pl
- αλλα: CONJ
- νουθετειτε: VERB,pres,act,imp,2,pl
- ως: ADV
- αδελφον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
Parallels
- 1 Thessalonians 5:14 (verbal): Paul instructs the community to 'admonish the idle' and to be patient with one another—close verbal and pastoral parallel within Pauline exhortation to correct brethren rather than treat them as enemies.
- Galatians 6:1 (thematic): Calls for restoring a brother caught in sin 'in a spirit of gentleness,' echoing the principle of correction as fraternal care rather than hostility.
- Luke 17:3 (thematic): Jesus commands rebuking a brother who sins and forgiving if he repents—similar emphasis on confronting wrongdoing within the family of faith with the aim of restoration.
- Matthew 18:15 (structural): Provides a procedure for dealing with a sinning brother—private confrontation and restoration—paralleling the aim of admonishing a brother instead of treating him as an enemy.
- James 5:19-20 (thematic): Speaks of turning a sinner from error and saving his soul, reflecting the salvific purpose behind admonishing a brother rather than rejecting him.
Alternative generated candidates
- Do not regard him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.
- Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.
Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from every brother who walks in idleness and does not follow the tradition you received from us.
For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us; for we were not idle among you,
nor did we eat anyone's bread without working; but with toil and labor night and day we worked so as not to be a burden to any of you.
It is not that we do not have authority, but that we might make ourselves an example to you, that you should imitate us.
For even when we were with you we gave you this command: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.
For we hear that some among you walk disorderly, doing no work at all, but are busybodies. Now such persons we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ to work quietly and to eat their own bread. But you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good.
If anyone does not obey our word in this letter, take note of him and have no association with him, so that he may be put to shame.
Do not regard him, however, as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.