2 Thessalonians 3:7 Commentary and Bible Study

Paul is concerned that we follow him and not just follow the Lord Jesus Christ. Is that right? Should he be making himself our example in behaviour and not rather Christ? Yes, this was part of the calling of an apostle. They had to be so careful in their conduct because that conduct was to teach all Christians how to live. Of course the apostles were not perfect and needed to confess their sins, but what is recorded of their conduct in Scripture does not include their falls, unless that is made very clear as in the case of Peter in Galatians 2. But other than that, in the pages of the New Testament we are not left to sort out for ourselves what is good apostolic example and what is bad. Everything that is recorded, all of Paul’s methods and personal conduct, is to be imitated.Here is the apostolic example – ‘We behaved not ourselves disorderly among you; neither,’ meaning not that this is the only thing, but that this is a vital part of that example that is very applicable to the situation among the Thessalonians. ‘Neither did we eat any man’s bread for nought,’ even when offered hospitality, ‘but wrought with labour and travail, night and day,’ working through the night on the canvasses as a tentmaker in order that he could preach during the day. ‘That we might not be chargeable to any of you’ and he makes that very clear and very plain. The Apostle Paul is still an example today. He is an example of modesty and great carefulness even to those who are supported by the Lord’s people. Why, the magnanimity of Paul! He felt it was his calling. He had every right to be supported by the Lord’s people, but he worked so that nobody would ever suspect him as the original prototype pioneer missionary and pastor, nobody would ever suspect him of doing this for gain. He was a tentmaker and he worked with his own hands. Even in church after church where he was given hospitality by believers who wanted to support him, he would not let them. He stayed in their house, but he still did his work as a tentmaker so that he was beyond reproach. Now that is not the norm, he says so – not that we did not have the right. The people of God, he tells us elsewhere, should be supported and helped. But he did it and he was ready to do it so that nobody would suspect him of sponging and therefore not believe his message. He did it to set an example to all who would be converted.