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 patience of Messiah. 6Now we command you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah, to keep away from every brother who behaves irresponsibly and not according to the tradition they received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, for we did not behave inappropriately among you. 8And we did not eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but worked night and day with labor and hardship, so as not to burden any of you. 9It wasn’t that we had no right, but rather to offer ourselves as an example for you to imitate.

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 3:9It wasn’t that we had no right, but rather to offer ourselves as an example for you to imitate.
• 1 Corinthians 4:16I urge you therefore—be imitators of me.
• 1 Corinthians 11:1Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Messiah.
• Philippians 3:17Brothers and sisters, join in following my example and notice those who walk according to the pattern you have in us. (
• Philippians 4:9What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—put these things into practice, and the God of shalom will be with you.
• 1 Thessalonians 1:6You also became imitators of us and of the Lord, having accepted the message in much tribulation, with the joy of the Ruach ha-Kodesh.
• 1 Timothy 4:12Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but become an example of the faithful—in speech, in conduct, in love, in faithfulness, and in purity.
• 1 Peter 5:3Don’t lord it over those apportioned to you, but become examples to the flock.
• 2 Thessalonians 3:6Now we command you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah, to keep away from every brother who behaves irresponsibly and not according to the tradition they received from us.
• 1 Thessalonians 2:10You are witnesses, along with God, of how devoutly and righteously and blamelessly we behaved toward you who believe.

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