John Calvin Commentary 2 Thessalonians 3:9

"not because we have not the right, but to make ourselves and ensample unto you, that ye should imitate us." — 2 Thessalonians 3:9 (ASV)

Not because we have not. Just as Paul wished by his laboring to set an example, so that idle persons might not, like drones, eat the bread of others, so he was also unwilling that this very action should cause harm to the ministers of the word, lest the churches defraud them of their proper livelihood.

In this we can see his exceptional moderation and graciousness, and how far removed he was from the ambition of those who abuse their powers and thereby infringe upon the rights of their brethren. There was a danger that the Thessalonians, having received the preaching of the gospel from Paul’s mouth gratuitously from the beginning, would establish it as a rule for other ministers in the future, since human nature is so stingy.

Paul, accordingly, anticipates this danger and teaches that he had a right to more than he had made use of, so that others might retain their liberty unimpaired. By this, he intended to bring greater disgrace, as I have already noted above, on those who do nothing, for it is an argument from the greater to the lesser.