1 Thessalonians 2:9

Surely you recall, brothers, our labor and toil. We worked night and day so that we would not be a burden to anyone while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Paul addresses the Thessalonian believers, recalling his recent ministry among them to contextualize his defense of his conduct.

The words — The text uses Μνημονεύετε (Mnēmoneuete) for "you remember" and κόπον (kopon) for "labor" to describe the apostles' night-and-day work.

The thread — This practice of self-supporting ministry to avoid becoming a burden runs through 2 Thessalonians 3:7, 2 Corinthians 11:9, and Acts 18:3.

Why it lands — The passage requires readers to verify the speaker's claims against their own experience and establishes that gospel proclamation must not financially exploit its audience.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

King James Version

For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.

Cross-references

2 Thessalonians 3:7 For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not undisciplined among you,
2 Corinthians 11:9 And when I was with you and in need, I was not a burden to anyone; for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied my needs. I have refrained from being a burden to you in any way, and I will continue to do so.
Acts 18:3 and he stayed and worked with them because they were tentmakers by trade, just as he was.
2 Corinthians 12:13 In what way were you inferior to the other churches, except that I was not a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong!
Nehemiah 5:15 The governors before me had heavily burdened the people, taking from them bread and wine plus forty shekels of silver. Their servants also oppressed the people. But I did not do this, because of my fear of God.
Nehemiah 5:18 Each day one ox, six choice sheep, and some fowl were prepared for me, and once every ten days an abundance of all kinds of wine was provided. But I did not demand the food allotted to the governor, because the burden on the people was so heavy.
Acts 20:31 Therefore be alert and remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.
1 Corinthians 9:6 Or are Barnabas and I the only apostles who must work for a living?
1 Corinthians 9:15 But I have not used any of these rights. And I am not writing this to suggest that something be done for me. Indeed, I would rather die than let anyone nullify my boast.
1 Corinthians 9:18 What then is my reward? That in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge, and so not use up my rights in preaching it.