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Read the Bible

King James Version (1611 Edition)

2 Thessalonians 3:9

Not because we haue not power, but to make our selues an ensample vnto you to follow vs.

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
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.
Revised Standard Version
It was not because we have not that right, but to give you in our conduct an example to imitate.
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 Iesus Christ, that ye withdraw your selues from euery brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which hee receiued of vs. 7 For your selues know how yee ought to follow vs: for wee behaued not our selues disorderly among you, 8 Neither did wee eate any mans bread for nought: but wrought with labour and trauaile night and day, that wee might not bee chargeable to any of you. 9 Not because we haue not power, but to make our selues an ensample vnto you to follow vs. 10 For euen when wee were with you, this wee commanded you, that if any would not worke, neither should he eate. 11 For we heare that there are some which walke among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busi-bodies. 12 Now them that are such, we command, and exhort by our Lord Iesus Christ, that with quietnesse they worke, and eat their owne bread. 13 But ye, brethren, be not wearie in well doing. 14 And if any man obey not our word, by this Epistle note that man, and haue no company with him, that he may be ashamed, 15 Yet count him not as an enemie, but admonish 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
And the man said, The woman whom thou gauest to be with mee, shee gaue me of the tree, and I did eate.
Genesis 3:13
And the LORD God said vnto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The Serpent beguiled me, and I did eate.
Genesis 3:17
And vnto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened vnto the voyce of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commaunded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eate of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake: in sorow shalt thou eate of it all the dayes of thy life.
Genesis 3:19
In the sweate of thy face shalt thou eate bread, till thou returne vnto the ground: for out of it wast thou taken, for dust thou art, and vnto dust shalt thou returne.
Genesis 3:20
And Adam called his wiues name Eue, because she was the mother of all liuing.
Genesis 3:21
Unto Adam also, and to his wife, did the LORD God make coates of skinnes, and cloathed them.
Genesis 4:9
And the LORD said vnto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And hee said, I know not: Am I my brothers keeper?
Genesis 11:5
And the LORD came downe to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded.
Genesis 16:8
And he said, Hagar Sarais maid, whence camest thou? and whither wilt thou goe? And she said, I flee from the face of my mistresse Sarai.

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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