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Read the Bible

Revised Standard Version

2 Thessalonians 3:9

It was not because we have not that right, but to give you in our conduct an example to imitate.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Commandments;   Example;   Labor;   Minister, Christian;   Zeal, Religious;   Thompson Chain Reference - Example;   Good;   Imitation;   Leaders;   Ministers;   Religious;   Social Duties;   Spiritual;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Ministers;  

Dictionaries:

- Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Giving;   Work;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Discipline;   Thessalonians, First and Second, Theology of;   Wealth;   Work;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Paul;   Poor;   Thessalonians, the Epistles to the;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Imitate;   Typology;   2 Thessalonians;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Care, Careful;   Discipline;   Energy;   Example;   Power Powers;   Thessalonians Epistles to the;   Type;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Ensample;   Type;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Authority in Religion;   Example;   Make;   Power;   Type;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
It is not that we don’t have the right to support, but we did it to make ourselves an example to you so that you would imitate us.
King James Version (1611)
Not because we haue not power, but to make our selues an ensample vnto you to follow vs.
King James Version
Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.
English Standard Version
It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate.
New American Standard Bible
not because we do not have the right to this, but in order to offer ourselves as a role model for you, so that you would follow our example.
New Century Version
We had the right to ask you to help us, but we worked to take care of ourselves so we would be an example for you to follow.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
not because we do not have the right to this, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you, so that you would follow our example.
Legacy Standard Bible
not because we do not have the authority, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you, so that you would imitate us.
Berean Standard Bible
Not that we lack this right, but we wanted to offer ourselves as an example for you to imitate.
Contemporary English Version
We had the right not to work, but we wanted to set an example for you.
Complete Jewish Bible
It was not that we hadn't the right to be supported, but so that we could make ourselves an example to imitate.
Darby Translation
not that we have not the right, but that we might give ourselves as an example to you, in order to your imitating us.
Easy-to-Read Version
We had the right to ask you to help us. But we worked to take care of ourselves so that we would be an example for you to follow.
Geneva Bible (1587)
Not because we haue not authoritie, but that we might make our selues an ensample vnto you to follow vs.
George Lamsa Translation
Not because we did not have the right, but to make ourselves an example to you to follow us.
Good News Translation
We did this, not because we do not have the right to demand our support; we did it to be an example for you to follow.
Lexham English Bible
not that we do not have the right, but so that we may give ourselves as an example to you, so that you may imitate us.
Literal Translation
Not that we do not have authority, but that we give ourselves as an example to you, for you to act like us.
Amplified Bible
not because we do not have a right to such support, but [we provided our own financial support] to offer ourselves as a model for you, so that you would follow our example.
American Standard Version
not because we have not the right, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you, that ye should imitate us.
Bible in Basic English
Not because we have not the right, but to make ourselves an example to you, so that you might do the same.
Hebrew Names Version
not because we don't have the right, but to make ourselves an example to you, that you should imitate us.
International Standard Version
It is not as though we did not have that right, but, we wantedwe wanted
">[fn] to give you an example to follow.1 Corinthians 9:6; 1 Thessalonians 2:6; 2 Thessalonians 2:7;">[xr]
Etheridge Translation
Not because we had not power, but because in ourselves we would give you an example, that you may imitate us.
Murdock Translation
It was not because we have no authority, but that we might give you an example in ourselves, that ye might imitate us.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
Not but that we had auctoritie, but to make our selues an ensample vnto you to folowe vs.
English Revised Version
not because we have not the right, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you, that ye should imitate us.
World English Bible
not because we don't have the right, but to make ourselves an example to you, that you should imitate us.
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
Not because we have not power; but that we might make ourselves an example to you, that ye might imitate us.
Weymouth's New Testament
This was not because we had not a claim upon you, but it arose from a desire to set you an example--for you to imitate us.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Not as we hadden not power, but that we schulden yyue vs silf ensaumple to you to sue vs.
Update Bible Version
not because we don't have the right, but to make ourselves an example to you, that you should imitate us.
Webster's Bible Translation
Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves a pattern to you to follow us.
New English Translation
It was not because we do not have that right, but to give ourselves as an example for you to imitate.
New King James Version
not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us.
New Living Translation
We certainly had the right to ask you to feed us, but we wanted to give you an example to follow.
New Life Bible
We could have asked you to give us food. But we did not so that you might follow our way of living.
New Revised Standard
This was not because we do not have that right, but in order to give you an example to imitate.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Not because we have not authority, but that, ourselves, as an ensample, we might hold forth unto you, - to the end ye might he imitating us.
Douay-Rheims Bible
Not as if we had not power: but that we might give ourselves a pattern unto you, to imitate us.
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
not but that we had auctoritie: but to make oure selves an insample vnto you to folowe vs.
Young's Literal Translation
not because we have not authority, but that ourselves a pattern we might give to you, to imitate us;
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Not but that we had auctorite, but to geue oure selues for an ensample vnto you to folowe vs.
Mace New Testament (1729)
not, that we had no just claim, but to present ourselves as a pattern, which you should imitate,
Simplified Cowboy Version
It wasn't that we didn't have the right to accept such things, but we worked hard so y'all would see us walking the walk, not just talking the talk.

Contextual Overview

6 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is living in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us. 7 For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us; we were not idle when we were with you, 8 we did not eat any one's bread without paying, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not burden any of you. 9 It was not because we have not that right, but to give you in our conduct an example to imitate. 10 For even when we were with you, we gave you this command: If any one will not work, let him not eat. 11 For we hear that some of you are living in idleness, mere busybodies, not doing any work. 12 Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work in quietness and to earn their own living. 13 Brethren, do not be weary in well-doing. 14 If any one refuses to obey what we say in this letter, note that man, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed. 15 Do not look on him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

Not: Matthew 10:10, 1 Corinthians 9:4-14, Galatians 6:6, 1 Thessalonians 2:6

to make: 2 Thessalonians 3:7, John 13:15, 1 Peter 2:21

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 19:11 - Why are 2 Kings 5:26 - Is it a time Nehemiah 5:14 - I and my Acts 18:3 - and wrought Acts 20:34 - that these 1 Corinthians 4:16 - General 1 Corinthians 6:12 - are not 1 Corinthians 9:12 - Nevertheless 1 Corinthians 9:18 - when 1 Corinthians 11:1 - Be ye 2 Corinthians 11:9 - I was Philippians 3:17 - be 1 Thessalonians 1:6 - ye Titus 2:7 - all Hebrews 10:24 - consider Hebrews 13:7 - whose 1 Peter 5:3 - but Revelation 4:8 - and they

Cross-References

Genesis 3:12
The man said, "The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate."
Genesis 3:13
Then the LORD God said to the woman, "What is this that you have done?" The woman said, "The serpent beguiled me, and I ate."
Genesis 3:17
And to Adam he said, "Because you have listened to the voice of your wife, and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you, 'You shall not eat of it,' cursed is the ground because of you; in toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life;
Genesis 3:19
In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; you are dust, and to dust you shall return."
Genesis 3:20
The man called his wife's name Eve, because she was the mother of all living.
Genesis 3:21
And the LORD God made for Adam and for his wife garments of skins, and clothed them.
Genesis 4:9
Then the LORD said to Cain, "Where is Abel your brother?" He said, "I do not know; am I my brother's keeper?"
Genesis 11:5
And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the sons of men had built.
Genesis 16:8
And he said, "Hagar, maid of Sar'ai, where have you come from and where are you going?" She said, "I am fleeing from my mistress Sar'ai."

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Not because we have not power,.... To forbear working, or require a maintenance from the churches to whom we minister, since Christ has ordained, that they that preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel; see 1 Corinthians 9:4. This the apostle says to preserve their right of claim, when and where they should think fit to make use of it; and lest other ministers of the word, who could not support themselves as they did, should be hurt by such an example; and lest covetous men should make use of it to indulge their sin, and improve it against the maintenance of Gospel ministers: wherefore the apostle observes to them, that they did not do this, as conscious that they had no right to demand a supply from them,

but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us; for it seems there were many idle lazy persons among them, who either had no callings or trades, or did not attend to them; wherefore the apostles wrought with their own hands, to set an example, who could not for shame but work, when they saw persons in so high an office, and of such a character, working with labour and travail, night and day, among them.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Not because we have not power ... - See the notes on 1 Corinthians 9:6, 1 Corinthians 9:12, 1 Corinthians 9:14.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 9. Not because we have not power — We have the power, εξουσιαν, the right, to be maintained by those in whose behalf we labour. The labourer is worthy of his hire, is a maxim universally acknowledged and respected; and they who preach the Gospel should live by the Gospel: the apostle did not claim his privilege, but laboured for his own support, that he might be an example to those whom he found otherwise disposed, and that he might spare the poor. See 1 Corinthians 9:1, &c.


 
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