2 Thessalonians 3:11

2 Thessalonians 3:11 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.
• New International Version (NIV)We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies.
• English Standard Version (ESV)For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies.
• New King James Version (NKJV)For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies.

Context of 2 Thessalonians 3:11

9not because we do not have a right to such support, but [we provided our own financial support] to offer ourselves as a model for you, so that you would follow our example. 10For even while we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either. Indeed, we hear that some among you are leading an undisciplined and inappropriate life, doing no work at all, but acting like busybodies [meddling in other people’s business]. 12Now such people we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and work quietly and earn their own food and other necessities [supporting themselves instead of depending on the hospitality of others]. 13And as for [the rest of] you, believers, do not grow tired or lose heart in doing good [but continue doing what is right without weakening].

2 Thessalonians 3:11 word by word

Ἀκούομεν γάρ τινας περιπατοῦντας ἐν ὑμῖν ἀτάκτως, μηδὲν ἐργαζομένους ἀλλὰ περιεργαζομένους.¶Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Forγάρgar · forG1063
• we hearἀκούωakouō · to hearG191
• that there areπεριπατέωperipateō · to walkG4043
• someτιςtis · oneG5100
• amongἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
• youσύsu · youG4771
• disorderlyἀτάκτωςataktōs · idlyG814
• workingἐργάζομαιergazomai · to workG2038
• not at allμηδείςmēdeis mēdemia mēden · nothingG3367
• butἀλλάalla · butG235
• are busybodiesπεριεργάζομαιperiergazomai · be a busybodyG4020

Cross-references for 2 Thessalonians 3:11

• 2 Thessalonians 3:6Now we command you, believers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and by His authority, that you withdraw and keep away from every brother or sister who leads an undisciplined life and does not live in accordance with the tradition and teaching that you have received from us.
• 1 Thessalonians 4:11and to make it your ambition to live quietly and peacefully, and to mind your own affairs and work with your hands, just as we directed you,
• 1 Timothy 5:13Now at the same time, they also learn to be idle as they go from house to house; and not only idle, but also gossips and busybodies [meddlers in things that do not concern them], talking about things they should not mention.
• 1 Peter 4:15Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or a thief, or any sort of criminal [in response to persecution], or as a troublesome meddler interfering in the affairs of others;

Commentaries on 2 Thessalonians 3:11

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 11For we hear that there are some - It is very likely that St. Paul kept up some sort of correspondence with the Thessalonian Church; for he had heard every thing that concerned their state, and it was from this information that he wrote his second epistle. Disorderly - · Out of their rank - not keeping their own place. Working not at all - Either lounging at home, or becoming religious gossips; , doing nothing. Busybodies - · Doing every thing they should…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 11For we hear - It is not known in what way this was made known to Paul, whether by Timothy, or by some other one. He had no doubt of its truth, and he seems to have been prepared to believe it the more readily from what he saw when he was among them. Which walk disorderly - See the notes, 2 Thessalonians 3:6. But are busy-bodies - Compare the 1 Timothy 5:13 note; 1 Peter 4:15 note. That is, they meddled with the affairs of others - a thing which they who…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 6-15Verses 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…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 6-15In his previous letter, Paul addressed the issue of church members who were lazy and refused to work (1 Thessalonians 4:11–12; 5:14). Some ignored his message and example, so he provides more guidance on how to treat these members.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1111. busy bodies--In the Greek the similarity of sound marks the antithesis, "Doing none of their own business, yet overdoing in the business of others." Busy about everyone's business but their own. "Nature abhors a vacuum"; so if not doing one's own business, one is apt to meddle with his neighbor's business. Idleness is the parent of busybodies (1Ti 5:13). Contrast 1Th 4:11.Read the comment

Topics related to 2 Thessalonians 3:11

• Busybody
• Commandments
• Idleness
• Industry
• Labor
• Slothfulness

In the dictionaries

• Admonish
• Disorderly
• Lord
• Poor
• Busybody
• Salvation

Commentaries on 2 Thessalonians 3

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings