Now we command and exhort such persons in the Lord Jesus Christ to work peacefully and eat their own bread.
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.
- BSB We command and urge such people by our Lord Jesus Christ to begin working quietly to earn their own living.
- 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.
- 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 4:28Let him who stole steal no more; but rather let him labor, producing with his hands something that is good, that he may have something to give to him who has need.
- 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 3:8neither did we eat bread from anyone’s hand without paying for it, but in labor and travail worked night and day, that we might not burden any of you;
- Prov 17:1Better is a dry morsel with quietness, than a house full of feasting with strife.
- Eccl 4:6Better is a handful, with quietness, than two handfuls with labor and chasing after wind.
- Luke 11:3Give us day by day our daily bread.
- 1 Th 4:1Finally then, brothers, we beg and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, that you abound more and more.
- Gen 49:14–15“Issachar is a strong donkey, lying down between the saddlebags.
- 1 Tim 2:2for kings and all who are in high places; that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and reverence.
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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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