2 thessalonians 3:11 - For we hear of some who walk among you in rebellion, who don’t work at all, but are busybodies.
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What does "2 thessalonians 3:11" mean?
This verse, 2 Thessalonians 3:11, is addressing a specific problem within the Thessalonian church. Let's break down the meaning:
"For we hear of some who walk among you in rebellion..." This indicates that Paul (and his co-authors, Silas and Timothy) had received reports of certain individuals within the church who were behaving in a way that went against the accepted norms and teachings. The word "rebellion" (Greek: atakteō) suggests disorderly conduct, a refusal to fall in line, and a disruption of the community. It implies a failure to adhere to the expectations of Christian living within that context.
"...who don't work at all..." This is a key point. These individuals were not engaged in honest labor to support themselves. This could be for a variety of reasons:
Misunderstanding of Imminent Return of Christ: Some scholars believe they may have wrongly interpreted Paul's teachings about the return of Christ, leading them to believe work was unnecessary because the end was so near. They may have been shirking their responsibilities, assuming God would provide miraculously.
Exploitation: They might have been relying on the generosity of other church members, essentially freeloading.
"...but are busybodies." This is the crucial piece that ties it all together. The Greek word translated as "busybodies" is periergazomai, which carries a strong connotation of meddling, interfering in other people's affairs, and being overly curious and intrusive. Because they weren't working, they had too much time on their hands, leading them to get involved in matters that were not their concern. This would have caused tension and disruption within the community.
In summary: The verse describes individuals in the Thessalonian church who were not working, were being disorderly, and were interfering in the lives of others. Their idleness led to meddling and disruption, creating a problem for the church community. Paul is likely addressing this issue to encourage responsible behavior, self-sufficiency, and community harmony. He's correcting a misunderstanding and urging believers to live productive and respectful lives, contributing to the well-being of the church rather than being a burden.
2 thessalonians 3:11 - For we hear of some who walk among you in rebellion, who don’t work at all, but are busybodies.
What does "2 thessalonians 3:11" mean?
This verse, 2 Thessalonians 3:11, is addressing a specific problem within the Thessalonian church. Let's break down the meaning:
"For we hear of some who walk among you in rebellion..." This indicates that Paul (and his co-authors, Silas and Timothy) had received reports of certain individuals within the church who were behaving in a way that went against the accepted norms and teachings. The word "rebellion" (Greek: atakteō) suggests disorderly conduct, a refusal to fall in line, and a disruption of the community. It implies a failure to adhere to the expectations of Christian living within that context.
"...who don't work at all..." This is a key point. These individuals were not engaged in honest labor to support themselves. This could be for a variety of reasons:
Misunderstanding of Imminent Return of Christ: Some scholars believe they may have wrongly interpreted Paul's teachings about the return of Christ, leading them to believe work was unnecessary because the end was so near. They may have been shirking their responsibilities, assuming God would provide miraculously.
Exploitation: They might have been relying on the generosity of other church members, essentially freeloading.
"...but are busybodies." This is the crucial piece that ties it all together. The Greek word translated as "busybodies" is periergazomai, which carries a strong connotation of meddling, interfering in other people's affairs, and being overly curious and intrusive. Because they weren't working, they had too much time on their hands, leading them to get involved in matters that were not their concern. This would have caused tension and disruption within the community.
In summary: The verse describes individuals in the Thessalonian church who were not working, were being disorderly, and were interfering in the lives of others. Their idleness led to meddling and disruption, creating a problem for the church community. Paul is likely addressing this issue to encourage responsible behavior, self-sufficiency, and community harmony. He's correcting a misunderstanding and urging believers to live productive and respectful lives, contributing to the well-being of the church rather than being a burden.