A.T. Robertson 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 (ακουομεν γαρ). Fresh news from Thessalonica evidently. For the present tense compare 1 Corinthians 11:18. The accusative and the participle is a regular idiom for indirect discourse with this verb (Robertson, Grammar, pp. 1040-2). Three picturesque present participles, the first a general description, περιπατουντας ατακτως, the other two specifying with a vivid word-play,

that work not at all, but are busy-bodies (μηδεν εργαζομενους αλλα περιεργαζομενους). Literally,

doing nothing but doing around . Ellicott suggests,

doing no business but being busy bodies . "The first persecution at Thessalonica had been fostered by a number of fanatical loungers (Acts 17:5)" (Moffatt). These theological dead-beats were too pious to work, but perfectly willing to eat at the hands of their neighbours while they piddled and frittered away the time in idleness.