John Calvin 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)

We hear that there are some among you. It is probable that this kind of drone was, as it were, the seed of idle monkhood. For, from the very beginning, there were some who, under the pretext of religion, either took liberties with the tables of others or craftily drew to themselves the possessions of the unsuspecting.

They had also, even in the time of Augustine, become so prevalent that he was compelled to write a book specifically against idle monks, in which he rightly complains of their pride. Because, despising the admonition of the Apostle, they not only excuse themselves on the grounds of weakness but also wish to appear holier than all others on the grounds that they are exempt from labor. He rightly speaks out against this impropriety: that while senators are hard-working, the worker or common person does not merely live in idleness but desires his indolence to be seen as sanctity. Such are his views.

Meanwhile, however, the evil has increased to such an extent that idle bellies occupy nearly a tenth of the world, whose only religion is to be well stuffed and to be exempt from all the trouble of labor. And this way of life they dignify, sometimes with the name of the Order, sometimes with that of the Rule, of this or that notable figure.

But what does the Spirit say, on the other hand, by the mouth of Paul? He pronounces them all to be irregular and disorderly, by whatever name of distinction they may be dignified. It is not necessary to relate here how much the idle life of monks has invariably displeased people of sound judgment. That is a memorable saying of an old monk, recorded by Socrates in the Eighth Book of the Tripartite History: that he who does not labor with his hands is like a plunderer. I do not mention other instances, nor is it necessary. Let this statement of the Apostle be sufficient for us, in which he declares that they are dissolute and, in a way, lawless.

Doing nothing. In the Greek participles there is an elegant (προσωνομασία) play upon words, which I have attempted in some way to imitate, by rendering it as meaning that they do nothing but have enough to do in matters of curiosity. He censures, however, a fault that idle persons mostly exhibit: that by inappropriately bustling about, they cause trouble for themselves and for others.

For we see that those who have nothing to do are much more fatigued by doing nothing than if they were engaged in some very important work. They run here and there; wherever they go, they appear greatly fatigued. They gather all sorts of reports and spread them in a confused manner.

You would say that they carried the weight of a kingdom on their shoulders. Could there be a more remarkable example of this than is found in the monks? For what class of men have less rest? Where does curiosity reign more extensively? Now, as this disease has a ruinous effect on the public, Paul admonishes that it should not be encouraged by idleness.