Fathers

2 Thessalonians 3

Tap a verse to read the Fathers. Press and hold, then drag, to make a card.

Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you: And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith. But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil. And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command you. And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ. Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us. For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you; 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. But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing. And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all. The salutation of Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

About · Privacy · Credits · Support VRSZ

What the Fathers say

2 Thessalonians 3:11

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

"For we hear of some that walk among you disorderly, that work not at all, but are busybodies." This indeed he says here; but there, in the first Epistle, he says, "that ye may walk honestly towards them that are without." On what account? Perhaps there was as yet no such thing. …

Homily on 2 Thessalonians 5 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

Since our mind is in constant motion, when we do not occupy it with needful matters, it gives itself over to unseemly matters, as was said above, and begins to busy itself with prying into how others live, and from there passes into gossip, idle talk, and empty chatter. Therefore, one ought to labor, working with one's own hands. He who has the strength to work but gives himself over to idleness should not even ask for alms. You will say: I pray and I fast. But that is not the work of the hands. …

Commentary on 2 Thessalonians ↗

Western Saints

Thomas Aquinas

Then when he says "for we have heard," he says why this precept is necessary, for the Apostle says this not so much on the basis of a duty to teach as because of the people's fault. And so first, he sets out the sin that makes the precept necessary; second, he applies a remedy, at "now we charge." He says, therefore, "for we have heard," as though to say: the reason I do not hide this precept is that "we have heard there are some among you who walk disorderly, working not at all." For a man's soul must always be occupied with …

Commentary on 2 Thessalonians ↗