2nd Thessalonians Chapter 3 verse 9 Holy Bible
not because we have not the right, but to make ourselves and ensample unto you, that ye should imitate us.
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Not because we have not the right, but to make ourselves an example to you, so that you might do the same.
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not that we have not the right, but that we might give ourselves as an example to you, in order to your imitating us.
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Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.
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read chapter 3 in WBT
not because we don't have the right, but to make ourselves an example to you, that you should imitate us.
read chapter 3 in WEB
not because we have not authority, but that ourselves a pattern we might give to you, to imitate us;
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Pulpit Commentary
Pulpit CommentaryVerse 9. - Not because we have not power; that is, to demand support. Paul, as an apostle, had the right of maintenance from the Churches among whom he laboured. This right of support he insists upon in the First Epistle to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 9:1-18). But for the sake of his converts, to give them an example of diligent working, and to remove every impediment to the progress of the gospel, he often waived his rights. Thus he did at Thessalonica (1 Thessalonians 2:6, 9), at Corinth (Acts 18:3; 2 Corinthians 11:9), and at Ephesus (Acts 20:340; in all these places he laboured for his maintenance as a tent maker. But - we acted so - to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow - imitate - us.
Ellicott's Commentary
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(9) Power.--Rather, authority, which is power plus legitimacy, How jealously St. Paul guards the rights of the Apostolate! not for himself, but for the brethren of the Lord and Cephas (1Corinthians 9:5), perhaps for Silas and Timothy (1Thessalonians 2:6, Note), and for futurity. The unbounded claims of spiritual fatherhood seem copied from the Roman law of patria potestas. (Comp. Philemon 1:8; Philemon 1:19.)To make.--Literally, in order that we might give. It was not without thought and design that they had adopted the plan.An ensample.--The same word as in 1Thessalonians 1:7. Literally, a model. The argument is a strong a fortiori. Whatever reason these Thessalonians might have for giving up work, St. Paul had the same, and more. He looked for the Advent, as they did; he spent his time in going about among the brethren, as they did; and over and above, he had the apostolic right to maintenance, which they had not. Why should not he have left off work, if they could justify themselves in so doing? If he thought right to work, a fortiori, it must be their duty to work too. . . .
