2 Thessalonians 3:11

3:11 For we hear that some among you are living an undisciplined life, ¹  not doing their own work but meddling in the work of others. ² 

2 Thessalonians 3:8

3:8 and we did not eat anyone’s food without paying. ³  Instead, in toil and drudgery we worked ⁴  night and day in order not to burden any of you.

2 Thessalonians 3:10

3:10 For even when we were with you, we used to give you this command: “If anyone is not willing to work, neither should he eat.”

2 Thessalonians 3:12

3:12 Now such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to work quietly and so provide their own food to eat. ⁵ 

[3:11]  ¹ tn Grk “walking in an undisciplined way” (“walking” is a common NT idiom for one’s way of life or conduct).

[3:11]  ² tn There is a play on words in the Greek: “working at nothing, but working around,” “not keeping busy but being busybodies.”

[3:8]  ³ tn Grk “we did not eat bread freely from anyone.”

[3:8]  ⁴ tn Grk “but working,” as a continuation of the previous sentence. Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started with the word “Instead” in the translation.

[3:12]  ⁵ tn Grk “that by working quietly they may eat their own bread.”