Historic pastoral reading
Work is honorable. The devil-workshop line is folklore.
2 Thessalonians 3:10-12
Idle hands are the devil’s workshop.
The text
WEB
10 For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone is not willing to work, don't let him eat.
11 For we hear of some who walk among you in rebellion, who don't work at all, but are busybodies.
12 Now those who are that way, we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ, that they work with quietness and eat their own bread.
KJV
10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.
11 For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.
12 Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.
What kind of text
- Letter
- To a church
- Work
Paul is dealing with people in Thessalonica who would not work.
How Christians have read this
Common misuse
Used to shame rest, or quoted as Solomon.
What the next verse does
Verse 13: do not be weary in well doing.
Older commentary
Matthew Henry
Henry on 2 Thessalonians 3: if any will not work, neither should he eat.
Charles Spurgeon
Spurgeon honored work. The devil-workshop sentence is folklore, not Paul.