2 Thessalonians 3:12

Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread. BY, [ dia (G1223)]. So C. But A 'Aleph (') B Delta G f g, Vulgate, read 'IN the Lord Jesus.' So the Greek, 1 Thessalonians 4:1: the sphere wherein such conduct is appropriate and consistent. We exhort you as ministers IN Christ, exhorting our people IN Christ. WITH QUIETNESS - quiet industry; laying aside intermeddling officiousness (2 Thessalonians 3:11). THEIR OWN - earned by themselves, not another's bread ...

12_Now we command such_. He corrects both of the faults of which he had made mention — a blustering restlessness, and retirement from useful employment. He accordingly exhorts them, in the first place, to cultivate repose — that is, to keep themselves _quietly _within the limits of their calling, or, as we commonly say, “_sans faire bruit _,” (_without making a noise_.) For the truth is this: those are the most peaceable of all, that exercise themselves in lawful employments; (722) while those that have nothing to do give trouble both to themselves and to others. Further, he subjoins another precept — that they should _labor_, that is, that they should be intent upon their calling, and devote themselves to lawful and honorable employments, without which the life of man is of a wandering nature. Hence, also, there follows this third injunction — that they should _eat their own bread; _

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...

Verse 12. _WITH QUIETNESS THEY WORK_] μετα ησυχιας. _With_ _silence_; leaving their tale-bearing and officious intermeddling. _Less noise and more work_! _THAT - THEY WORK, AND EAT THEIR OWN BREAD._] Their _own_ bread, because earned by their own honest _industry_. What a degrading thing to live on the _bounty_ or _mercy_ of another, while a man is able to acquire his own livelihood! He who can submit to this has lost the spirit of _independence_; and has in him a beggar's heart, and is capable of nothing but base and beggarly actions. Witness the great mass of the people of England, who by their dependence on the _poor rates_ are, from being laborious, independent, and respect able, become idle, profligate, and knavish; the propagators and perpetrators of crime; a discredit to the nation, and a curse to society. The apostle's command is a cure for such; and the Church of God should di...

NOW THEM THAT ARE SUCH WE COMMAND AND EXHORT BY OUR LORD JESUS ... - A more solemn command and appeal to do what he had before enjoined on all of them; 1 Thessalonians 4:11; see the notes on that verse....

EXPOSITION CONTENTS.—The apostle now comes to the conclusion of his Epistle. He beseeches the Thessalonians for an interest in their prayers, that the gospel may be rapidly diffused and glorified by numerous conversions, and that he and his fellow workers may be enabled to preach it unhindered by the opposition of their enemies. He expresses his confidence that the Lord will preserve them from evil and render them obedient to his instructions, it being his earnest prayer for them that they might be directed into the love of God and the patience of Jesus Christ. The apostle then proceeds to admonish them on account of the disorderly conduct which many of them exhibited. He had heard that there were some among them who walked disorderly, and who, either from dread or from excitement on account of their belief in the immediate coming of the Lord, had desisted from their worldly employments....

NOW THEM THAT ARE SUCH,.... For this was not the case and character of them all. Did such practices generally obtain, no community, civil or religious, could subsist. And the apostle wisely distinguishes them from others, that the innocent might not be involved in the charge. WE COMMAND AND EXHORT BY OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST; using both authority and entreaty; taking every way to reclaim them, commanding in the name of Christ and beseeching for the sake of Christ THAT WITH QUIETNESS THEY WORK: with their own hands, at their proper callings, and so support themselves, provide for their families, and have something to give to them that are in need; by which means they will live peaceable and quiet lives, in godliness and honesty, and not disturb the peace of neighbourhoods, churches, and families: AND EAT THEIR OWN BREAD; got by their own labour, and bought with their money, and not the br...

2 Thessalonians 3:1. _Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:_ A most important request. What can the ministers of the gospel do, if their people cease to pray for them? Even if their own prayers be heard, as they will be, and a measure of blessing be given, yet it will be but a scant measure, compared with what it would be if all the saints united in their intercessions. Whenever we see the word of God very mighty in one place it ought to encourage us to pray that it may be the same in another place, for it is the same word and the hearts of all men are alike. The same spirit can give the same blessing in every place. Hence Paul says, «Pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course and be glorified even as it is with you.» Now, if any of you in your church are enjoying rich

III. THANKSGIVING, PRAYER, EXHORTATIONS AND CONCLUSIONS Chapter S 2:13-3:18 _ 1. Thanksgiving and prayer (2 Thessalonians 2:13)_ 2. Prayer for the Word and for deliverance (2 Thessalonians 3:1) 3. Exhortations (2 Thessalonians 3:6) 4. Conclusions (2 Thessalonians 3:16) 2 Thessalonians 2:13 What blessed reasons are stated here to give thanks to God for what He has done for us and for all who believe! Brethren, beloved of

2 THESSALONIANS 3. FINAL COUNSELS AND EXHORTATIONS. The apostle (_a)_ asks for the prayers of the Thessalonian Christians on his own behalf (2 Thessalonians 3:1); (_b_) warns them against dis orderly conduct (2 Thessalonians 3:6); (_c_) concludes with a bene diction (2 Thessalonians 3:16)....