Fathers

2 Thessalonians 3

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Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may spread rapidly and be glorified, even as also with you, and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and evil men; for not all have faith. But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one. We have confidence in the Lord concerning you, that you both do and will do the things we command. May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love, and into the perseverance of Christ. Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw yourselves from every brother who walks in rebellion, and not after the tradition which they received from us. For you know how you ought to imitate us. For we didn’t behave ourselves rebelliously among you, neither did we eat bread from anyone’s hand without paying for it, but in labor and travail worked night and day, that we might not burden any of you, not because we don’t have the right, but to make ourselves an example to you, that you should imitate us. For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: “If anyone is not willing to work, don’t let him eat.” For we hear of some who walk among you in rebellion, who don’t work at all, but are busybodies. Now those who are that way, we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ, that they work with quietness and eat their own bread. But you, brothers, don’t be weary in doing what is right. If any man doesn’t obey our word in this letter, note that man, that you have no company with him, to the end that he may be ashamed. Don’t count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in all ways. The Lord be with you all. The greeting of me, Paul, with my own hand, which is the sign in every letter: this is how I write. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

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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 ↗