Matthew Henry Commentary 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15

"Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which they received of us. For yourselves know how ye ought to imitate us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you; neither did we eat bread for nought at any man`s hand, but in labor and travail, working night and day, that we might not burden any of you: not because we have not the right, but to make ourselves and ensample unto you, that ye should imitate us. For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, If any will not work, neither let him eat. For we hear of some that walk among you disorderly, that work not at all, but are busybodies. Now them that are such we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread. But ye, brethren, be not weary in well-doing. And if any man obeyeth not our word by this epistle, note that man, that ye have no company with him, to the end that he may be ashamed. And [yet] count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother." — 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15 (ASV)

Those who have received the gospel are to live according to the gospel. Those who could work, and would not, were not to be maintained in idleness. Christianity is not to condone idleness, which would consume what is meant to encourage the industrious and to support the sick and afflicted. Industry in our callings as men is a duty required by our calling as Christians.

But some expected to be maintained in idleness and indulged a meddlesome and arrogant temperament. They meddled with the concerns of others and did much harm. It is a great error and abuse of religion to make it a cloak for idleness or any other sin. The servant who waits for the coming of his Lord properly must be working as his Lord has commanded.

If we are idle, the devil and a corrupt heart will soon find us something to do. The mind of man is a busy thing; if it is not employed in doing good, it will be doing evil. It is an excellent, but rare union, to be active in our own business, yet quiet regarding other people's affairs. If any refused to work quietly, they were to mark him for censure and to separate from his company, yet they were to seek his good by loving admonitions.

The Lord is with you while you are with him. Continue on your way, and hold on to the end. We must never give up or grow weary in our work. There will be enough time to rest when we come to heaven.