Thematic Bible: Laboring

[We also urge you to] make it your aim to live a quiet life, and to attend to your own business matters, and to work with your hands, as we urged you. [Note: Possibly this exhortation was directed toward the tendency of some people there to neglect ordinary responsibilities in view of an imminent return of Christ]. [Do these things] so that you will live in a proper way in front of outsiders [i.e., non-Christians], and not have [to depend on people for] any needs.

The person who has stolen must stop doing it; instead, he should work hard, doing something worthwhile with his own hands, so that he can have [money] to share with the person who needs it. Verse ConceptsFraudDiligence, Rewards OfThe Benefits Of LaborPoverty, Remedies ForStealingThriftWork, As Ordained By GodPoor, Duty ToRobberyIndustryFrugalityAlmsgivingAltruismCharityPhysical LabourDo Not StealGiving To The PoorThe Fact Of ToilWasting TimeMinding Your Own BusinessEighth CommandmentHard WorkHelping Those In NeedHelping Others In NeedthievesA Quiet Life