2 Thessalonians 3:12
 2 Thessalonians 3:12 
New International Version (©2011)
Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the food they eat.

New Living Translation (©2007)
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.

English Standard Version (©2001)
Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to work in quiet fashion and eat their own bread.

King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.

Holman Christian Standard Bible (©2009)
Now we command and exhort such people by the Lord Jesus Christ that quietly working, they may eat their own food.

International Standard Version (©2012)
We order and encourage such people by the Lord Jesus, the Messiah, to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.

NET Bible (©2006)
Now such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to work quietly and so provide their own food to eat.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English (©2010)
But such we command and beseech them in our Lord Yeshua The Messiah, that they shall work quietly and eat their bread.

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
We order and encourage such people by the Lord Jesus Christ to pay attention to their own work so they can support themselves.

King James 2000 Bible (©2003)
Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.

American 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.

American Standard Version
Now them that are such we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.

Douay-Rheims Bible
Now we charge them that are such, and beseech them by the Lord Jesus Christ, that, working with silence, they would eat their own bread.

Darby Bible Translation
Now such we enjoin and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ, that working quietly they eat their own bread.

English Revised Version
Now them that are such we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.

Webster's Bible Translation
Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.

Weymouth New Testament
To persons of that sort our injunction--and our command by the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ--is that they are to work quietly and eat their own honestly-earned bread.

World English Bible
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.

Young's Literal Translation
and such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness working, their own bread they may eat;

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

3:6-15 Those who have received the gospel, are to live according to the gospel. Such as could work, and would not, were not to be maintained in idleness. Christianity is not to countenance slothfulness, which would consume what is meant to encourage the industrious, and to support the sick and afflicted. Industry in our callings as men, is a duty required by our calling as Christians. But some expected to be maintained in idleness, and indulged a curious and conceited temper. They meddled with the concerns of others, and did much harm. It is a great error and abuse of religion, to make it a cloak for idleness or any other sin. The servant who waits for the coming of his Lord aright, must be working as his Lord has commanded. If we are idle, the devil and a corrupt heart will soon find us somewhat to do. The mind of man is a busy thing; if it is not employed in doing good, it will be doing evil. It is an excellent, but rare union, to be active in our own business, yet quiet as to other people's. If any refused to labour with quietness, they were to note him with censure, and to separate from his company, yet they were to seek his good by loving admonitions. The Lords is with you while you are with him. Hold on your way, and hold on to the end. We must never give over, or tire in our work. It will be time enough to rest when we come to heaven.


Pulpit Commentary

Verse 12. - Now them that are such we command and exhort by (or, as the best manuscripts read, in) our Lord Jesus Christ; in him, as the source of authority; "In his Name." That with quietness. In contrast to being busybodies, with calmness of spirit, freedom from excitement. They work, and eat their own bread; not the bread of others, but their own, for which they have laboured and which they have earned. They would thus be independent of the liberality and generosity of others. (For similar exhortations, see 1 Thessalonians 4:11; Ephesians 4:28.)


Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

Now them that are such,.... For this was not the case and character of them all. Did such practices generally obtain, no community, civil or religious, could subsist. And the apostle wisely distinguishes them from others, that the innocent might not be involved in the charge.

We command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ; using both authority and entreaty; taking every way to reclaim them, commanding in the name of Christ and beseeching for the sake of Christ

that with quietness they work: with their own hands, at their proper callings, and so support themselves, provide for their families, and have something to give to them that are in need; by which means they will live peaceable and quiet lives, in godliness and honesty, and not disturb the peace of neighbourhoods, churches, and families:

and eat their own bread; got by their own labour, and bought with their money, and not the bread of others, or that of idleness.


Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

12. by—The oldest manuscripts read, "IN the Lord Jesus." So the Greek, 1Th 4:1, implying the sphere wherein such conduct is appropriate and consistent. "We exhort you thus, as ministers IN Christ, exhorting our people IN Christ."

with quietness—quiet industry; laying aside restless, bustling, intermeddling officiousness (2Th 3:11).

their own—bread earned by themselves, not another's bread (2Th 3:8).


2 Thessalonians 3:12 Parallel Commentaries

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Warning against Idleness
11For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. 12Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread. 13But you, brothers, be not weary in well doing. …

1 Thessalonians 4:1 As for other matters, brothers and sisters, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more.
1 Thessalonians 4:11 and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you,