A.T. Robertson Commentary 2 Thessalonians 3:10

"For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, If any will not work, neither let him eat." — 2 Thessalonians 3:10 (ASV)

This (τουτο). What he proceeds to give.

If any will not work, neither let him eat (οτ ε τις ου θελε εργαζεσθα μηδε εσθιετω). Recitative οτ here not to be translated, like our modern quotation marks. Apparently a Jewish proverb based on Ge 3:19. Wetstein quotes several parallels. Moffatt gives this from Carlyle's Chartism: "He that will not work according to his faculty, let him perish according to his necessity." Deissmann (Light from the Ancient East, p. 314) sees Paul borrowing a piece of workshop morality. It was needed, as is plain. This is a condition of the first class (note negative ου) with the negative imperative in the conclusion.