2 Thessalonians 3:9

2 Thessalonians 3:9 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.
• New International Version (NIV)We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate.
• English Standard Version (ESV)It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate.
• New King James Version (NKJV)not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us.

Context of 2 Thessalonians 3:9

7You know what you must do to imitate us. We lived a disciplined life among you. 8We didn’t eat anyone’s food without paying for it. Instead, we worked hard and struggled night and day in order not to be a burden to any of you. It’s not as though we didn’t have a right to receive support. Rather, we wanted to set an example for you to follow. 10While we were with you, we gave you the order: “Whoever doesn’t want to work shouldn’t be allowed to eat.” 11We hear that some of you are not living disciplined lives. You’re not working, so you go around interfering in other people’s lives.

2 Thessalonians 3:9 word by word

οὐχ ὅτι οὐκ ἔχομεν ἐξουσίαν, ἀλλ᾽ ἵνα ἑαυτοὺς τύπον δῶμεν ὑμῖν εἰς τὸ μιμεῖσθαι ἡμᾶς.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Notοὐou · noG3756
• becauseὅτιhoti · that/since: sinceG3754
• we haveἔχωechō · to have/beG2192
• powerἐξουσίαexousia · authorityG1849
• butἀλλάalla · butG235
• toἵναhina · in order that/toG2443
• makeδίδωμιdidōmi · to giveG1325
• ourselvesἑαυτοῦheautou · themselfG1438
• an ensampleτύποςtupos · mark/exampleG5179
• unto youσύsu · youG4771
• toεἰςeis · towardG1519
• followμιμέομαιmimeomai · to imitateG3401
• usἐγώegō · I/weG1473

Cross-references for 2 Thessalonians 3:9

• Matthew 10:10Don’t take a traveling bag for the trip, a change of clothes, sandals, or a walking stick. After all, the worker deserves to have his needs met.
• 1 Corinthians 9:4Don’t we have the right to eat and drink?
• Galatians 6:6The person who is taught God’s word should share all good things with his teacher.
• 1 Thessalonians 2:6We didn’t seek praise from people, from you or from anyone else,
• 2 Thessalonians 3:7You know what you must do to imitate us. We lived a disciplined life among you.
• John 13:15I’ve given you an example that you should follow.
• 1 Peter 2:21God called you to endure suffering because Christ suffered for you. He left you an example so that you could follow in his footsteps.

Commentaries on 2 Thessalonians 3:9

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 9Not because we have not power - We have the power, , the right, to be maintained by those in whose behalf we labor. The laborer is worthy of his hire, is a maxim universally acknowledged and respected; and they who preach the Gospel should live by the Gospel: the apostle did not claim his privilege, but labored for his own support, that he might be an example to those whom he found otherwise disposed, and that he might spare the poor. See 1 Corinthians…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 9Not because we have not power … - See the notes on 1 Corinthians 9:6, 1 Corinthians 9:12, 1 Corinthians 9:14.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. 9Paul had separated himself from people in the culture who sought fame and money (1 Thessalonians 2:5).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 99. (1Co 9:4-6, &c.; Ga 6:6.)Read the comment

Topics related to 2 Thessalonians 3:9

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

In the dictionaries

• Admonish
• Disorderly
• Example
• Lord
• Poor
• Type
• Authority in Religion
• Follow
• Make, Maker
• Power

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