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2 Thessalonians 3:8

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does 2 Thessalonians 3:8 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “neither did we eat bread for nought at any man`s hand, but in labor and travail, working night and day, that we might not burden any of you:” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

neither did we eat bread for nought at any man`s hand, but in labor and travail, working night and day, that we might not burden any of you:
2 Thessalonians 3:8 — American Standard Version

Context — 2 Thessalonians 3

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
5And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patience of Christ.
6Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which they received of us.
7For yourselves know how ye ought to imitate us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;
8neither did we eat bread for nought at any man`s hand, but in labor and travail, working night and day, that we might not burden any of you:
9not because we have not the right, but to make ourselves and ensample unto you, that ye should imitate us.
10For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, If any will not work, neither let him eat.
11For we hear of some that walk among you disorderly, that work not at all, but are busybodies.
← 2 Thessalonians 3:72 Thessalonians 3:9 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought &c.] Or freely, at free cost, without paying for it; he signifies, that what they ate, they bought with their own money, and lived on no man, without giving him a valuable consideration for what they had; though if they had not paid in money for their food, they would not have ate it for nought, since they laboured among them in preaching the Gospel to them; and such labourers are worthy of their maintenance, (<421007>Luke 10:7) though the former sense is the apostle's here: but wrought with labour and travail night and day: not only laboriously preaching the Gospel to them, as often as they could have opportunity, but working very hard and…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“eat any man's bread--Greek, "eat bread from any man," that is, live at anyone's expense. Contrast Th2 3:12, "eat THEIR OWN bread." wrought-- (Act 20:34). In both Epistles they state they maintained themselves by labor; but in this second Epistle they do so in order to offer themselves herein as an example to the idle; whereas, in the first, their object in doing so is to vindicate themselves from all imputation of mercenary motives in preaching the Gospel (Th1 2:5, Th1 2:9) [EDMUNDS]. They preached gratuitously though they might have claimed maintenance from their converts. labour and travail--"toil and hardship" (see on Th1 2:9). night and day--scarcely allowing time for repose.…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Neither did we eat any man’s bread for nought - We were not supported in idleness at the expense of others. We gave a fair equivalent for all that we received, and, in fact, labored for our own support; see the notes on 1 Thessalonians 2:9. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“3:8 without paying for it: Although Paul taught that workers in the Christian church could receive pay for their labor (3:9; see Matt 10:10; 1 Cor 9:7-14; 1 Tim 5:17-18), he did not take advantage of that privilege (1 Thes 2:9; 2 Thes 3:6-10).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“eat: Th2 3:12; Pro 31:27; Mat 6:11 but: Act 18:3, Act 20:34; Co1 4:12; Co2 11:9; Th1 4:11 night: Th1 2:9 2 Thessalonians 3:9”
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Related study paths

Read 2 Thessalonians 3 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification