2 Thessalonians 3:7

2 Thessalonians 3:7 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;
• New International Version (NIV)For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you,
• English Standard Version (ESV)For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you,
• New King James Version (NKJV)For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you;

Context of 2 Thessalonians 3:7

5May the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the steadfastness and patience of Christ. 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. For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example, because we did not act in an undisciplined or inappropriate manner when we were with you [we were never idle or lazy, nor did we avoid our duties], 8nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with labor and hardship we worked night and day [to pay our own way] so that we would not be a financial burden on any of you [for our support]; 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.

2 Thessalonians 3:7 word by word

αὐτοὶ γὰρ οἴδατε πῶς δεῖ μιμεῖσθαι ἡμᾶς· ὅτι οὐκ ἠτακτήσαμεν ἐν ὑμῖν,Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Forγάρgar · forG1063
• yourselvesαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
• knowεἴδωeidō · to perceive: understandG1492
• howπῶςpōs · how?!G4459
• ye oughtδεῖdei · be necessaryG1163
• to followμιμέομαιmimeomai · to imitateG3401
• usἐγώegō · I/weG1473
• forὅτιhoti · that/since: sinceG3754
• we behavedἀτακτέωatakteō · be idleG812
• notοὐou · noG3756
• amongἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
• youσύsu · youG4771

Cross-references for 2 Thessalonians 3:7

• 2 Thessalonians 3:9not 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.
• 1 Corinthians 4:16So I urge you, be imitators of me [just as a child imitates his father].
• 1 Corinthians 11:1Imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.
• Philippians 3:17Brothers and sisters, together follow my example and observe those who live by the pattern we gave you.
• Philippians 4:9The things which you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things [in daily life], and the God [who is the source] of peace and well-being will be with you.
• 1 Thessalonians 1:6You became imitators of us and [through us] of the Lord, after you welcomed our message in [a time of] great trouble with the joy supplied by the Holy Spirit;
• 1 Timothy 4:12Let no one look down on [you because of] your youth, but be an example and set a pattern for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in [moral] purity.
• 1 Peter 5:3not lording it over those assigned to your care [do not be arrogant or overbearing], but be examples [of Christian living] to the flock [set a pattern of integrity for your congregation].
• 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 2:10You are witnesses, and so is God, how unworldly and just and blameless was our behavior toward you who believe [in our Lord Jesus Christ].

Commentaries on 2 Thessalonians 3:7

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 7We behaved not ourselves disorderly - · We did not go out of our rank - we kept our place, and discharged all its duties.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 7For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us - You know what you should do in order to imitate us. For we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you - See the notes on 1 Thessalonians 2:10.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. 7In the ancient world, people valued teaching by example. Paul set a good example by working to earn his own food (3:8; 1 Thessalonians 2:9).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 77. how ye ought to follow us--how ye ought to live so as to "imitate (so the Greek for 'follow') us" (compare Notes, see on 1Co 11:1; 1Th 1:6).Read the comment

Topics related to 2 Thessalonians 3:7

• Commandments
• Example
• Labor
• Minister, Christian
• Zeal, Religious

In the dictionaries

• Admonish
• Disorderly
• Lord
• Poor
• Follow
• tradition

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