2 Thessalonians 3:10

The Message

Don’t you remember the rule we had when we lived with you? “If you don’t work, you don’t eat.” And now we’re getting reports that a bunch of lazy good-for-nothings are taking advantage of you. This must not be tolerated. We command them to get to work immediately—no excuses, no arguments—and earn their own keep. Friends, don’t slack off in doing your duty.

Cross References

Proverbs 13:4

Indolence wants it all and gets nothing; the energetic have something to show for their lives.

Proverbs 20:4

A farmer too lazy to plant in the spring has nothing to harvest in the fall.

Proverbs 21:25

Lazy people finally die of hunger because they won’t get up and go to work.

Luke 24:44

Then he said, “Everything I told you while I was with you comes to this: All the things written about me in the Law of Moses, in the Prophets, and in the Psalms have to be fulfilled.”

1 Thessalonians 4:11

Stay calm; mind your own business; do your own job. You’ve heard all this from us before, but a reminder never hurts. We want you living in a way that will command the respect of outsiders, not lying around sponging off your friends.