We command and urge such people by our Lord Jesus Christ to begin working quietly to earn their own living.
Parallel translations
- WEB Now those who are that way, we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.
- KJV Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.
- NKJV Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread.
- NASB Now we command and exhort such persons in the Lord Jesus Christ to work peacefully and eat their own bread.
- NLT We command such people and urge them in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and work to earn their own living.
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 commands and urges such people in the Lord Jesus to settle down, work quietly, and earn their own bread. The remedy for disorderly idleness is honest, peaceful labor.
Overview
He pairs firm command with warm exhortation "in the Lord Jesus Christ," seeking restoration rather than mere rebuke. The call to work "with quietness" directly answers the meddling of verse 11. Earning one's own living is presented as a normal expression of Christian responsibility and love for the community.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 9
- Eph 4:28He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing good with his own hands, that he may have something to share with the one in need.
- 1 Th 4:11and to aspire to live quietly, to attend to your own matters, and to work with your own hands, as we instructed you.
- 2 Th 3:8nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. Instead, in labor and toil, we worked night and day so that we would not be a burden to any of you.
- Prov 17:1Better a dry morsel in quietness than a house full of feasting with strife.
- Eccl 4:6Better one handful with tranquility than two handfuls with toil and pursuit of the wind.
- Luke 11:3Give us each day our daily bread.
- 1 Th 4:1Finally, brothers, we ask and encourage you in the Lord Jesus to live in a way that is pleasing to God, just as you have received from us. This is how you already live, so you should do so all the more.
- Gen 49:14–15Issachar is a strong donkey, lying down between the sheepfolds.
- 1 Tim 2:2for kings and all those in authority—so that we may lead tranquil and quiet lives in all godliness and dignity.
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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.
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Original language
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