2 Thessalonians 3:9
in 2 Thessalonians 3Not that we lack this right, but we wanted to offer ourselves as an example for you to imitate.
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
not because we have not the right, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you, that ye should imitate us.
KJV
Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.
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This verse in 2 Thessalonians 3
Commentary
8 notes on this verseNot because we have not power,.... To forbear working, or require a maintenance from the churches to whom we minister, since Christ has ordained, that they that preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel; see 1Co 9:
This site's exposition
Now we command you, brothers
on 2 Thessalonians 3:6-9
Undisciplined translates ataktos, used of a soldier out of rank. The command in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ is to keep away from any brother who leads an undisciplined life. Paul taught the tradition by example, working night and day.
This site's exposition
offer ourselves as an example
Paul claims the right of a preacher to be supported by those he serves, a right the Lord Himself laid down. He set it aside at Thessalonica to give the idle a pattern of work to copy. Gill points to 1 Corinthians 9 for the same argument.
The record, by era
The Medieval Church2 voices
Then when he says "not as if," he gives the reason he worked with his own hands. Here he first sets aside a false reason, and, second, he gives the true reason. It would be a false explanation of his manual labor to say that …
The Apostle had the right not to labor, since he was occupied with a more important task, preaching, and to be fed at the expense of his disciples; however, out of his goodness he labored and fed both himself and those with him, in order …
The Puritans and the Awakening1 voice
(2.) He commands and directs those that live idle lives to reform, and set themselves to their business. He had given commandments to this purport, as well as a good example of this, when he was among them: Even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any man would not work neither should he eat,
The Nineteenth Century2 voices
Not because we have not power - We have the power, εξουσιαν, the right, to be maintained by those in whose behalf we labor. The laborer is worthy of his hire, is a maxim universally acknowledged and respected; and they who preach the Gospel should live by the Gospel: the apostle did not claim his privilege, but labored for his own support, that he might be an example to those whom he found otherwise disposed, and that he might spare the poor. See 1Co 9:1, etc.
A commentator
Albert Barnes1798–1870
Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)
proposed
Not because we have not power ... - See the notes on 1Co 9:6, 1Co 9:12, 1Co 9:14.
The words behind it
15 Greek wordsEvery Greek word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Greek | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| οὐχ | ouch | not | G3756 → | 1664 times |
| ὅτι | hoti | that | G3754 → | 1292 times |
| οὐκ | ouk | not | G3756 → | 1664 times |
| ἔχομεν | echomen | we have | G2192 → | |
| ἐξουσίαν, | exousian | [the] right, | G1849 → | |
| ἀλλ᾽ | all᾽ | but | G235 → | 635 times |
| ἵνα | ina | that | G2443 → | 668 times |
| ἑαυτοὺς | he'autous | ourselves | G1438 → | 322 times |
| τύπον | tupon | [as] an example | G5179 → | |
| δῶμεν | domen | we may offer | G1325 → | 412 times |
| ὑμῖν | humin | to you | G4771 → | 2973 times |
| εἰς | eis | for | G1519 → | 1755 times |
| τὸ | to | <the> | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| μιμεῖσθαι | mimeisthai | you to imitate | G3401 → | |
| ἡμᾶς. | hemas | us. | G3165 → | 1936 times |
οὐχnot
ouchG3756 →1664 times
ὅτιthat
hotiG3754 →1292 times
οὐκnot
oukG3756 →1664 times
ἔχομενwe have
echomenG2192 →
ἐξουσίαν,[the] right,
exousianG1849 →
ἀλλ᾽but
all᾽G235 →635 times
ἵναthat
inaG2443 →668 times
ἑαυτοὺςourselves
he'autousG1438 →322 times
τύπον[as] an example
tuponG5179 →
δῶμενwe may offer
domenG1325 →412 times
ὑμῖνto you
huminG4771 →2973 times
εἰςfor
eisG1519 →1755 times
τὸ<the>
toG3588 →19766 times
μιμεῖσθαιyou to imitate
mimeisthaiG3401 →
ἡμᾶς.us.
hemasG3165 →1936 times
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
2 Thessalonians 3:7For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not undisciplined among you,
it leads to
- 2 Thessalonians 3:6
Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from any brother who leads an undisciplined life that is not in keeping with the tradition you received…
- 2 Thessalonians 3:6
Through
Galatians 6:6Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word must share in all good things with his instructor.
it leads to
- 1 Timothy 5:17–18
Elders who lead effectively are worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.
- Romans 15:27
They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual blessings, they are obligated to minister to them with material blessings.
- Deuteronomy 12:19
and be careful not to neglect the Levites as long as you live in your land.
- 1 Corinthians 9:9–14
For it is written in the Law of Moses: “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.” Is it about oxen that God is concerned?
- Matthew 10:10
Take no bag for the road, or second tunic, or sandals, or staff; for the worker is worthy of his provisions.
- 1 Timothy 5:17–18
Through
John 13:15I have set you an example so that you should do as I have done for you.
it leads to
- 1 John 2:6
Whoever claims to abide in Him must walk as Jesus walked.
- Matthew 11:29
Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
- 1 John 2:6
Where this verse is studied
About 2 Thessalonians
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); J. B. Lightfoot, Notes on the Epistles of St Paul; Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748); Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible; Theophylact of Ohrid, Commentary on 2 Thessalonians and Thomas Aquinas, Commentary on 2 Thessalonians.