John Calvin 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)

He that will not labor. Since it is written in Psalm 128:2—Thou art blessed, eating of the labor of thy hands; and also in Proverbs 10:4, The blessing of the Lord is upon the hands of him that laboreth—it is certain that indolence and idleness are accursed by God.

Besides, we know that man was created for this purpose: that he might do something. Not only does Scripture testify to this, but nature itself taught it to the Gentiles.

Hence it is reasonable that those who wish to exempt themselves from the common law should also be deprived of food, the reward of labor. When, however, the Apostle commanded that such persons should not eat, he does not mean that he gave a command to those persons, but forbade that the Thessalonians should encourage their indolence by supplying them with food.

It should also be observed that there are different ways of laboring. For whoever aids human society by his industry, either by ruling his family, or by administering public or private affairs, or by counseling, or by teaching, or in any other way, is not to be reckoned among the idle.

For Paul censures those lazy drones who lived by the sweat of others, while they contributed no common service to aid the human race. Of this sort are our monks and priests who are largely pampered by doing nothing, except that they chant in the temples to prevent weariness. This truly is, as Plautus says, "to live musically."