2 Thessalonians 3 · Verse 9

2 Thessalonians 3:9

Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.
2 Thessalonians 3:9, King James Version

2 Thessalonians 3:9 in other translations

BSBNot that we lack this right, but we wanted to offer ourselves as an example for you to imitate.
WEBThis was not because we don’t have the right, but to make ourselves an example to you, that you should imitate us.
ASVnot because we have not the right, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you, that ye should imitate us.
YLTnot because we have not authority, but that ourselves a pattern we might give to you, to imitate us;
DARBYnot that we have not the right, but that we might give ourselves as an example to you, in order to your imitating us.
BBENot because we have not the right, but to make ourselves an example to you, so that you might do the same.
WebsterNot because we have not power, but to make ourselves a pattern to you to follow us.

What does 2 Thessalonians 3:9 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
9. (1Co 9:4-6, &c.; Ga 6:6.)

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 9. Not because we have not power, 1Cor 9:6; 1Cor 9:12; 1Cor 9:14.

(&) "power" "right" (d) "power" 1Cor 9:6 (|) "follow us" "imitate us"

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 9 Not because we have not power - We have the power, εξουσιαν, the right, to be maintained by those in whose behalf we labor. The laborer 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 labored 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 1Cor 9:1, etc.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15

Those who have received the gospel, are to live according to the gospel. Such as could work, and would not, were not to be maintained in idleness. Christianity is not to countenance slothfulness, 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…

Read the full comment on 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15 →

2 Thessalonians 3:9 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

οὐχouchnotG3756
ὅτιhotithatG3754
οὐκouknotG3756
ἔχομενechomenwe haveG2192
ἐξουσίαν,exousian[the] right,G1849
ἀλλ᾽all᾽butG235
ἵναinathatG2443
ἑαυτοὺςhe'autousourselvesG1438
τύπονtupon[as] an exampleG5179
δῶμενdōmenwe may offerG1325
ὑμῖνhuminto youG4771
εἰςeisforG1519
τὸto<the>G3588
μιμεῖσθαιmimeisthaiyou to imitateG3401
ἡμᾶς.hēmasus.G3165

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 2 Thessalonians 3:9

  • 2 Thessalonians 3:7

    For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;

  • 1 Corinthians 9:4-14

    Have we not power to eat and to drink? Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas? Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working? Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? …

  • 1 Thessalonians 2:6

    Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.

  • Galatians 6:6

    Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.

  • John 13:15

    For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.

  • Matthew 10:10

    Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat.

  • 1 Peter 2:21

    For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Not.
Mt 10:10; 1Co 9:4-14; Ga 6:6; 1Th 2:6
to make.
7; Joh 13:15; 1Pe 2:21

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • 2 Thessalonians 3:8

    Neither did we eat any man’s bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you:

  • 2 Thessalonians 3:9

    Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.

  • 2 Thessalonians 3:10

    For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.

Read all of 2 Thessalonians 3

2 Thessalonians 3:9 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		No porque no tuviésemos potestad, sino por daros en nosotros un dechado, para que nos imitaseis.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		non que nous n’en ayons pas le droit, mais afin de nous donner nous-mêmes à vous pour modèle, pour que vous nous imitiez.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Nicht daß wir nicht das Recht dazu haben, sondern auf daß wir uns selbst euch zum Vorbilde gäben, damit ihr uns nachahmet.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Non quasi non habuerimus potestatem, sed ut nosmetipsos formam daremus vobis ad imitandum nos.