For we hear that some among you are leading an undisciplined life, doing no work at all, but acting like busybodies.
Parallel translations
- WEB For we hear of some who walk among you in rebellion, who don’t work at all, but are busybodies.
- KJV For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.
- BSB Yet we hear that some of you are leading undisciplined lives and accomplishing nothing but being busybodies.
- NKJV For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies.
- NLT Yet we hear that some of you are living idle lives, refusing to work and meddling in other people’s business.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Paul has heard that some are living in idleness, not working but meddling as busybodies. Idleness breeds disorder and interference in others' affairs.
Overview
There is a pointed wordplay: these people are not busy with work but "busybodies" in others' business. Their idleness was not harmless but disruptive to the church's life. Paul names the specific problem behind his general commands, showing his pastoral concern for an actual situation.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 4
- 1 Tim 5:13Besides, they also learn to be idle, going about from house to house. Not only idle, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not.
- 1 Th 4:11and that you make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, even as we instructed you;
- 2 Th 3:6Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw yourselves from every brother who walks in rebellion, and not after the tradition which they received from us.
- 1 Pet 4:15For let none of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or an evil doer, or a meddler in other men’s matters.
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Christ at the center
Christ will be revealed from heaven in flaming fire, glorified in his saints, overthrowing the lawless one — the certain hope that steadies the suffering church.
How 2 Thessalonians 3:11 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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