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.

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(12) We command.—The fourth time the severe word is used in this very chapter. Perhaps “we order” might convey the meaning still more sharply. But immediately, lest severity provoke rebellion, he adds, “and we beseech,” alleging also the grounds on which he rests his appeal: “in our Lord”—i.e., “on the strength of our union in the Body of Christ.” (Comp. 1Thessalonians 4:1.)

That with quietness they work.—The opposites of bustling, and of idleness.

Eat their own bread.—Not other people’s. This passage tempts us to take the marginal version in 1Thessalonians 4:12 : “have need of no man.” The phrase is not fatal to the idea of there being a communism established. The bread would still be “their own”—i.e., they would have a right to it, supposing it had been earned for the community by hard work: otherwise, communism or no communism, the bread was stolen. The commentators aptly compare a rabbinical saying:” When a man eats his own bread he is composed and tranquil in mind; but if he be eating the bread of his parents or children, much more that of strangers, his mind is less tranquil.”

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

3:6-15 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 evil. It is an excellent, but rare union, to be active in our own business, yet quiet as to other people's. If any refused to labour with quietness, they were to note him with censure, and to separate from his company, yet they were to seek his good by loving admonitions. The Lords is with you while you are with him. Hold on your way, and hold on to the end. We must never give over, or tire in our work. It will be time enough to rest when we come to heaven.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

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.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

12. by—The oldest manuscripts read, "IN the Lord Jesus." So the Greek, 1Th 4:1, implying the sphere wherein such conduct is appropriate and consistent. "We exhort you thus, as ministers IN Christ, exhorting our people IN Christ."

with quietness—quiet industry; laying aside restless, bustling, intermeddling officiousness (2Th 3:11).

their own—bread earned by themselves, not another's bread (2Th 3:8).

Matthew Poole's Commentary

Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ: he had before given command to the church to withdraw from them, 2 Thessalonians 3:6; and now he lays the commandment upon themselves, and that in the name of Christ.

That with quietness they work: working is set opposite to their idleness, and quietness to their busy meddling where they ought not, whereby they might occasion strife. The apostle here, and in many other places, requires Christians to live peaceably, as 2 Corinthians 13:11 Colossians 3:15 1 Thessalonians 5:13 Hebrews 12:14.

And eat their own bread; not to live as drones, upon another’s labours; yet he forbids not dealing their bread to the hungry, nor requires this of the poor that are necessitated to live upon alms. And by eating their own bread the apostle means, maintaining themselves and families, for bread is taken in Scripture for all things that maintain the natural life: and the apostle here insinuates a blessing upon honest labour, that thereby men shall have bread of their own; and doth assert property against that community which some have pleaded for, the civil right that men have to what they honestly get and possess; but hereby condemns oppressors, pirates, robbers, cheaters, usurpers, yea, and tyrannical princes, who maintain themselves upon the spoil of others, and take their bread out of others’ mouths; and why not also such as are not quiet and contented with their own portion, but either envy others, or murmur against providence?

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

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 bread of others, or that of idleness.

Geneva Study Bible

{9} Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.

(9) The Lord commands and the apostles pray in the name of Christ, first, that no man be idle, and next, that every man quietly and carefully sees to do his duty in that office and calling in which the Lord has placed him.

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Meyer's NT Commentary

2 Thessalonians 3:12. Καὶ παρακαλοῦμεν] sc. αὐτούς.

μετὰ ἡσυχίας ἐργαζόμενοι] with quietness, i.e. applying yourself to your earthly calling, subjectively with a quiet and collected mind, and objectively with noiseless modesty. Contrast to μηδὲν ἐργάζεσθαι ἀλλὰ περιεργάζεσθαι. Comp. 1 Thessalonians 4:11.

ἑαυτῶν] emphatic, their own bread, that is to say, their self-earned sustenance, avoiding a maintenance which depends on the charity of others.

Expositor's Greek Testament

2 Thessalonians 3:12. They are not directly addressed (contrast 6, 13).—μετὰ ἡσυχίας, in the homely sphere of work. The three causes of disquiet at Thessalonica are (a) the disturbing effect of persecution, (b) the tension produced by the thought of the advent of Christ, and (c), as an outcome of the latter, irregularity and social disorganisation in the community.

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

12. Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ] The “exhort” of the first Epistle (1 Thessalonians 4:10) is now charge and exhort, put with a new tone of sternness.

Not by but in the Lord Jesus Christ (R.V.); on this phrase—both as to the preposition, and the triple name—see notes to 2 Thessalonians 3:4-5 above, also 1 Thessalonians 4:1; 1 Thessalonians 1:1 (p. 47). The appeal assumes a character of the most grave urgency.

These idle meddlers, a burden and scandal to the Church, the Apostle “charges, and appeals” to them, on the ground of their relationship to Christ and with all the weight of Christ’s authority committed to him, that working with quietness, they eat their own bread—not the bread of their honest and laborious brethren. See notes to 2 Thessalonians 3:8, and 1 Thessalonians 4:11.

In the Teaching of the Twelve Apostles (ch. 1), probably the oldest Post-Apostolic writing extant, there is a remarkable warning addressed both to givers and receivers of alms, which illustrates this passage: “Blessed is he that giveth according to the commandment, for he is guiltless. Woe to him that takes! For if indeed one takes out of necessity, he will be guiltless; but he who takes without need shall give account why he took, and for what purpose; and thrown into prison he will be examined respecting his conduct, and will not come out thence until he has paid the uttermost farthing. Moreover, concerning this matter it has been said: Let thine alms sweat into thy hands, until thou knowest to whom thou shouldst give.”

Bengel's Gnomen

2 Thessalonians 3:12. Μετὰ ἡσυχίας, with quietness) Laying aside curiosity [over-officiousness or inquisitiveness].—ἑαυτῶν, their own) not another’s.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 12. - Now them that are such we command and exhort by (or, as the best manuscripts read, in) our Lord Jesus Christ; in him, as the source of authority; "In his Name." That with quietness. In contrast to being busybodies, with calmness of spirit, freedom from excitement. They work, and eat their own bread; not the bread of others, but their own, for which they have laboured and which they have earned. They would thus be independent of the liberality and generosity of others. (For similar exhortations, see 1 Thessalonians 4:11; Ephesians 4:28.) 2 Thessalonians 3:12

Vincent's Word Studies

With quietness - work

See on study to be quiet, 1 Thessalonians 4:11.