2 Thessalonians 3:10

“For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, If any will not work, neither let him eat”

“For even when we were with you”: That is, during the original visit recorded in Acts 17:1. “The Thessalonian ‘irregulars' could not excuse their conduct by saying, ‘You never taught us any different'” (Hendriksen p. 201). Not only had the example been clearly set, but the doctrine had been clearly defined and clearly presented. “This we commanded you”:. very definite and precise command had been given. The following statement is not "advice" rather it is. commandment from God. “Is in an imperfect tense, which indicates repeated action in past time, ‘we kept commanding you'” (Fields p. 232). “If any”: God treats all alike. “Will not work”: God is fair, and He is sensitive to "real life". The text does not say, “If any man cannot work”. “Neither let him eat”: Many people proceed from the idea that '"The church owes me. living". Substitute "world" or "government" for "church" and the passage would fit many people living today. “If he refuses to work, let him go hungry. That may teach him. lesson” (Hendriksen p. 202).

Carefully note that the "ideal" society is not where work is absent, and “work” is not an evil thing. Some people erroneously link their present unhappiness with the fact that they have to go to work everyday. We must be careful that we do not help people remain in sin, that is, that we make it easy for them to ignore the commands of God. The person who is lazy, does not need "understanding", they need to go hungry for awhile. Notice the balance. On the one hand the Bible exhorts us to help the person who is in need (Ephesians 4:28), and Paul put. tremendous amount of energy and effort into gathering the collection for the needy saints in Jerusalem. Yet on the other hand he had no sympathy for the person who refused to work. Hendriksen notes, “Those who were saved by grace should become so unselfish that they will loathe the idea of unnecessarily becoming. burden to their brothers” (p. 202).