2 Thessalonians 3:12-13 (KJV) The Bible Commands Christians to Work

2 Thessalonians 3:12-13 (KJV)

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

But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.

Having pastored for many years, I’ve had experience with many souls of the sort Paul describes—those who will not work, who expect a handout, and who think the church is the place to get it.

More of them than I can tell would never have obeyed this command, and many would have been insulted (or rather, would have attempted to insult us) when we would not give to them. On one occasion, a man said to me, when I told him I did not have any money to give him, “You’re the poorest excuse for a pastor I’ve ever met.” Others expressed much the same sentiment over the years.

So notice the teaching of this passage:

First, it is the teaching of the Bible that those who are such are to be commanded to work. 

Some may not be able to get great jobs, but they can likely get a job. I know times and economies change, but in all my years of life, I’ve always been able to find work. I started working when I was twelve years old, stocking shelves and sweeping the parking lot at a local 7-11. Jobs are available to those who are willing to work.

Second, they are to “eat their own bread.” 

I take that to mean they are to provide for themselves and be content with what they earn. Some earn more, some less. Often, those who start with less will earn more over time by quietly and faithfully doing their work until someone notices they are capable of more.

Finally, I learn that this does not remove the believer’s responsibility to be involved in well doing. 

Charity, kindness, reaching out, and giving a helping hand—these are real and honorable Christian duties. The two concepts are not opposed; they are complementary. It is the same idea found in Galatians, where we are told both to bear our own burden and to bear one another’s burdens. These are not contradictory—they work together.

Teach men to work.
Teach them to take care of themselves and their families.
And while they do, help them when they need it and you are able.

Never grow weary in teaching these things.

#WorkWithQuietness #EatThineOwnBread #BeNotWearyInWellDoing #BiblicalResponsibility #FaithfulAndDiligent

The Bible Commands Christians to Work (And What Happens If We Don’t)

What do you think—where should the line be between helping and enabling? Drop a comment below and join the conversation.

If you want more straightforward, Bible-centered teaching like this, visit marvinmckenzie.org and explore lessons, books, and resources designed to help you live out your faith with clarity and conviction.

To my readers:

Thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.

For this and, more than 7000 earlier Daily Visits with God, visit https://mckenzie-visit-with-god.blogspot.com. There you will find daily visits going back to 2005.

If you have been blessed by this blog, please subscribe to my feed and share it with others.

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2 Thessalonians 3:12-13 (KJV) The Bible Commands Christians to Work

2 Thessalonians 1:1 (KJV) Are You Walking Alone?

2 Thessalonians 1:1 (KJV)

Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

When Paul wrote his first letter, he opened the same way:
“Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians…”

It strikes me that while we often ascribe these epistles to Paul alone, Paul himself includes these two men in the greeting. He later makes it clear that the letter was written by his own hand, and I believe he alone is the inspired penman. Yet I can easily picture him writing these words in the company of Silvanus and Timotheus.

God the Holy Spirit is the Author of the Word of God, but He uses men.

I imagine Paul speaking through what the Holy Spirit was impressing upon him—thinking it through, expressing it aloud—while these two faithful companions listened. They did not supply the words, but they were present in the work. In that sense, it can rightly be said they participated.

Notice how Paul writes throughout the chapter. He speaks in the plural:

“Our Father…”
“We are bound…”
“We ourselves glory…”
“Rest with us…”

This is not accidental it reveals the nature of the Christian life.

It used to be, especially early in my ministry—and again later when working through more difficult passages—that I would talk through what I was preparing to preach with my wife. She wouldn’t offer corrections or outline my message, but there was something helpful about saying it out loud.

I remember working through 1 Corinthians 15:34:
Awake to righteousness, and sin not: for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.

I quoted that verse to her with strong emphasis, and she simply said, “Preach it like that!” That moment didn’t change the message—but it helped frame it, and frankly, every message I’ve preached since.

There is something about speaking truth in the presence of others that helps settle it, sharpen it, and strengthen it. And that is exactly what we see here.

The Christian walk is not meant to be isolated. It is never just “me and God.” That idea sounds spiritual, but it is not biblical. God has placed us in a body, in a church, in a fellowship of believers.

One day, we will stand before God alone.

But today, we walk with Him in company.

#NotAloneInChrist #TogetherInTheFaith #ServantsSideBySide #LaboringWithTheLord #TheChurchWalksTogether

Are You Walking Alone? It’s Not Just You and God 

If this helped you see the Christian life a little clearer, I’d love to hear from you. Leave a comment below—how has God used others to strengthen your walk?

And if you want more Bible teaching like this, along with books, lessons, and resources to help you grow, visit marvinmckenzie.org.

To my readers:

Thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.

For this and, more than 7000 earlier Daily Visits with God, visit https://mckenzie-visit-with-god.blogspot.com. There you will find daily visits going back to 2005.

If you have been blessed by this blog, please subscribe to my feed and share it with others.

My books, and other resources, are available at:
https://marvinmckenzie.org

Join me at Daily Visits with God Podcast
https://marvinmckenzie.substack.com/

Merch at my Teespring store https://macz.creator-spring.com/
Be a witness with hats, mugs, t-shirts, sweat shirts, and more

Let’s have coffee?
The link to Ko-fi  is an opportunity to support this effort to reach a world of souls with the Word of God. I would appreciate any gift you can give. 

2 Thessalonians 1:1 (KJV) Are You Walking Alone?

2 Thessalonians 3:8 (KJV) Preachers Who Won’t Work

2 Thessalonians 3:8 (KJV)

Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you:

I’d like to couple this passage with:
2 Thessalonians 3:10–11 (KJV)
For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.
For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.

(Not that this coupling should be difficult, given the context.)

Paul worked with his own hands, earned his own living—he chose to do so in order that he was not “chargeable to any of you.”

He said he could have expected support, but he deliberately set a different example.
He commanded men to work.
Then he pointed out some who didn’t—but instead, were busybodies.

Could he have been speaking of some “would-be” preachers?

I’ve been privileged to be full-time in the ministry for more than thirty of the forty-some years I’ve served. I certainly wouldn’t criticize any who have been so blessed.

But I’ve also known some whose testimony was terribly marred in their community (even while being lauded as heroes of the faith among the brethren) because they were beggars—always asking for discounts or free services—and known to be late or negligent in paying bills.

I’ve known more than a few so-called preachers who are loathe to work, live in poverty, barely provide for their families, and look down on those who do otherwise.

Preacher, you do have the right to live of the fruits of your ministry.

But don’t be lazy.

Don’t be a busybody.

#WorkWithHonor #NotChargeable #MinistryNotMooching #LaborNotLaziness #BusyPreachingNotBusybodies

Preachers Who Won’t Work: and the Shame They Bring

📖 Are You Laboring or Loafing in the Lord’s Work?

Paul didn’t expect a handout—he worked with his own hands so he wouldn't be chargeable to any. In 2 Thessalonians 3:8–11, he not only modeled diligent labor but commanded others to do the same. Some were “working not at all, but are busybodies.” Sound familiar?

🔨 If you're serious about living a biblically grounded life, it’s time to get honest: Are you working with integrity in your calling—or coasting on the generosity of others?

✅ Take Action Today: Identify one area in your life or ministry where you can earn rather than expect. Then get to work—physically, spiritually, and financially.

💬 Question for the Comments:
What do you believe is the right balance between ministry support and personal labor?

📲 Hungry for more solid, biblical teaching? Visit marvinmckenzie.org for Bible studies, videos, and resources rooted in the King James Bible.

👉 Join our community in studying God’s Word and strengthening your faith.

To my readers:

Thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.

For this and, more than 6800 earlier Daily Visits with God, visit https://mckenzie-visit-with-god.blogspot.com. There you will find daily visits going back to 2005.

If you have been blessed by this blog, please subscribe to my feed and share it with others.

My books, and other resources, are available at:
https://marvinmckenzie.org

Join me at Daily Visits with God Podcast
https://marvinmckenzie.substack.com/

Merch at my Teespring store https://macz.creator-spring.com/
Be a witness with hats, mugs, t-shirts, sweat shirts, and more

Let’s have coffee?
The link to Ko-fi  is an opportunity to support this effort to reach a world of souls with the Word of God. I would appreciate any gift you can give. 

2 Thessalonians 3:8 (KJV) Preachers Who Won’t Work

2 Thessalonians 2:6 (KJV) The Tendency of Things

2 Thessalonians 2:6 (KJV) 

And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.

There is a battle being waged in our text. This battle has raged since the fall of man and will continue until the coming of the Lord, when He will fight the final battle and end the war of all wars.

At stake is something Albert Barnes called “the tendency of things.”

• There is in our flesh a tendency toward sin.
• There is in our governments a tendency toward corruption.
• There is in this world a tendency toward antichrist.

But there is something that withholds this tendency.
There is something that restrains the revelation of the “man of sin.”

I suppose there has never been a time in history when antichrist was not present and prepared to reveal himself. But God has always had something in place to withhold him, to “let” him—to prevent his revelation until the time appointed by the Lord.

The Word of God says, “ye know what withholdeth.”
That’s amazing to me, because there is such controversy over this today.

• Some say it is the Holy Spirit.
• Some say it is the sovereign plan of God.
  

I believe it is both—but that it is manifested through the churches of God, just as it was in the days of Lot, when God would not judge Sodom and Gomorrah until Lot was removed.

The plan of God is that the antichrist may not be revealed until the people of God, filled with the Holy Ghost, are taken away—raptured, removed from this present earth.

Then, and only then, shall that Wicked be revealed.

#RestrainingTheWicked #TendencyTowardAntichrist #HolyGhostWithholds #ChurchStillMatters #RaptureBeforeRevealing

The Tendency of Things: What Restrains Evil

What’s holding back the rise of the Antichrist?

The Bible tells us you already know. But many are still debating it. The truth isn’t hidden—it’s revealed in 2 Thessalonians 2:6. God has always placed something, in the way of evil’s full expression. Want to know who? Want to know what withholdeth?

💬 Answer this in the comments:
Do you believe the restrainer is the Holy Spirit, the church, or both—and why?

📌 Take action today:
Talk to someone this week about why the church is still essential in God’s plan—not just for today, but for what’s coming next. Don’t wait. Speak truth in love and power.

📲 Hungry for more solid, biblical teaching? Visit marvinmckenzie.org for Bible studies, videos, and resources rooted in the King James Bible.

👉 Join our community in studying God’s Word and strengthening your faith.

To my readers:

Thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.

For this and, more than 6800 earlier Daily Visits with God, visit https://mckenzie-visit-with-god.blogspot.com. There you will find daily visits going back to 2005.

If you have been blessed by this blog, please subscribe to my feed and share it with others.

My books, and other resources, are available at:
https://marvinmckenzie.org

Join me at Daily Visits with God Podcast
https://marvinmckenzie.substack.com/

Merch at my Teespring store https://macz.creator-spring.com/
Be a witness with hats, mugs, t-shirts, sweat shirts, and more

Let’s have coffee?
The link to Ko-fi  is an opportunity to support this effort to reach a world of souls with the Word of God. I would appreciate any gift you can give. 

2 Thessalonians 2:6 (KJV) The Tendency of Things