Albert Barnes Commentary 2 Thessalonians 3:11

"For we hear of some that walk among you disorderly, that work not at all, but are busybodies." — 2 Thessalonians 3:11 (ASV)

For we hear. It is not known how this was made known to Paul, whether by Timothy or by some other person. He had no doubt of its truth, and he seems to have been prepared to believe it more readily from what he saw when he was among them.

Which walk disorderly. (See the notes on 2 Thessalonians 3:6.)

But are busybodies. (Compare the notes on 1 Timothy 5:13 and 1 Peter 4:15.)

That is, they meddled with the affairs of others—a thing that those who have nothing of their own to keep them busy will very likely do. The apostle had seen that there was a tendency to this when he was in Thessalonica, and therefore he had commanded them to do their own business, (1 Thessalonians 4:11).

The injunction, it seems, had little effect, for there is no class of people who will pay so little attention to good counsel as those who have a propensity to meddle with the affairs of others. One of the indispensable things to check this is that each one should have enough to do himself; and one of the most pernicious of all persons is the one who has nothing to do but look after the affairs of his neighbors.

In times of affliction and need, we should be ready to offer our help. At other times, we should feel that a person can manage his own affairs as well as we can do it for him; or if he cannot, it is his business, not ours. The Greek word used occurs only here and in 1 Timothy 5:13. (Compare the notes on Philippians 2:4.)