2 Thessalonians 3:7-9

2 Thessalonians 3:7-9

[7] For  yourselves  know  how  ye ought  to follow  for  not  ourselves disorderly  among  [8] Neither  did we eat  any man's  bread  for nought;  but  wrought  with  labour  and  travail  night  and  day,  that  not  be chargeable  to any  [9] Not  because  we have  not  power,  but  to  make  ourselves  an ensample  to  follow 

What does 2 Thessalonians 3:7-9 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

Evidently some in the church were not working to support themselves but were living off the charity of their brethren. In Thessalonica, as elsewhere, Paul and his companions sometimes supported themselves by "making tents" to give their converts an example of responsible Christian living (cf. 1 Corinthians 9:3-14; 1 Timothy 5:18). They had the right to receive monetary support in payment for their spiritual ministry ( Galatians 6:6), but they often gave up this right for the greater needs of their converts.