Bible Strands
2 Thessalonians 3:12
We command and urge such people by our Lord Jesus Christ to begin working quietly to earn their own living.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul addresses the Thessalonian congregation to correct members who have abandoned work and become busybodies. He issues this directive immediately before urging the faithful to remain steadfast in doing good (2 Thessalonians 3:13).
The words — The Greek παραγγέλλομεν (parangellomen) carries the literal sense "we warn" or "command," while παρακαλοῦμεν (parakaloumen) means "we exhort" or "urge." These paired verbs frame the instruction as both an authoritative decree and a pastoral appeal.
The thread — This charge repeats Paul's earlier command to work quietly and earn one's own living (1 Thessalonians 4:11). It connects to his personal example of laboring night and day to avoid dependency (2 Thessalonians 3:8) and the broader scriptural pattern of honest work enabling generosity (Ephesians 4:28).
Why it lands — The text commands idle readers to cease busybody behavior and earn their own livelihood through quiet labor. It requires practical self-sufficiency and disciplined daily work as a non-negotiable apostolic standard.
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
Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.
Cross-references
- Ephesians 4:28 He 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 Thessalonians 4:11 and to aspire to live quietly, to attend to your own matters, and to work with your own hands, as we instructed you.
- 2 Thessalonians 3:8 nor 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.
- Proverbs 17:1 Better a dry morsel in quietness than a house full of feasting with strife.
- Ecclesiastes 4:6 Better one handful with tranquility than two handfuls with toil and pursuit of the wind.
- Luke 11:3 Give us each day our daily bread.
- Genesis 49:14 Issachar is a strong donkey, lying down between the sheepfolds.
- 1 Thessalonians 4:1 Finally, 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.
- 1 Timothy 2:2 for kings and all those in authority—so that we may lead tranquil and quiet lives in all godliness and dignity.