2 Thessalonians 3:9

Linguistic Bible Translation from Source Texts

It was not that we lack the right to receive support, but we wanted to offer ourselves as an example for you to imitate.

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Other Translations

Referenced Verses

  • 1 Cor 9:4-9 : 4 Do we not have the right to eat and drink? 5 Do we not have the right to take along a believing wife, as do the other apostles and the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas? 6 Or is it only Barnabas and I who lack the right to not work for a living? 7 Who serves as a soldier at their own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat its fruit? Or who tends a flock and does not drink the milk from the flock? 8 Do I say these things merely from a human perspective? Doesn’t the Law also say the same? 9 For it is written in the law of Moses: "You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain." Is it oxen that God is concerned about? 10 Or does He say this entirely for our sake? Yes, it was written for our sake because the plowman ought to plow in hope and the thresher to thresh in hope of sharing the harvest. 11 If we have sown spiritual things among you, is it too much if we reap material benefits from you? 12 If others have this right to receive from you, shouldn’t we have it even more? But we have not used this right. Instead, we endure all things so that we will not be a hindrance to the gospel of Christ. 13 Do you not know that those who work in the temple eat the food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in the offerings of the altar? 14 In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.
  • 2 Thess 3:7 : 7 For you yourselves know how you should imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you.
  • 1 Thess 2:6 : 6 We did not seek glory from people, neither from you nor from others.
  • 1 Pet 2:21 : 21 To this you were called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example to follow in His footsteps.
  • Gal 6:6 : 6 The one who is taught the word should share all good things with the one who teaches.
  • John 13:15 : 15 For I have given you an example, so that you also should do just as I have done for you.
  • Matt 10:10 : 10 Do not bring a traveling bag for the journey, or two shirts, or sandals, or a staff; for a worker is worthy of his food.

Similar Verses (AI)

These verses are found using AI-powered semantic similarity based on meaning and context. Results may occasionally include unexpected connections.

  • 2 Thess 3:7-8
    2 verses
    88%

    7For you yourselves know how you should imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you.

    8We did not eat anyone’s bread without paying for it. Instead, we worked with toil and hardship night and day so as not to be a burden to any of you.

  • 2 Thess 3:10-13
    4 verses
    82%

    10For even when we were with you, we gave you this command: If anyone is unwilling to work, they should not eat.

    11We hear that some among you are living idle lives, refusing to work and instead becoming busybodies.

    12To such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to work quietly and earn their own living.

    13But you, brothers and sisters, do not grow weary in doing good.

  • 1 Thess 2:8-10
    3 verses
    81%

    8In the same way, being affectionately desirous of you, we were pleased to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our very lives, because you had become dear to us.

    9Surely you remember, brothers and sisters, our labor and toil. We worked night and day so that we would not be a burden to any of you while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.

    10You are witnesses, and so is God, of how devoutly, righteously, and blamelessly we conducted ourselves among you who believe.

  • 1 Thess 2:4-6
    3 verses
    81%

    4But just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak—not to please people, but to please God, who examines our hearts.

    5For we never used words of flattery, as you know, nor did we put forth a pretext for greed—God is our witness.

    6We did not seek glory from people, neither from you nor from others.

  • 1 Cor 9:4-6
    3 verses
    81%

    4Do we not have the right to eat and drink?

    5Do we not have the right to take along a believing wife, as do the other apostles and the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas?

    6Or is it only Barnabas and I who lack the right to not work for a living?

  • 1 Cor 9:11-12
    2 verses
    81%

    11If we have sown spiritual things among you, is it too much if we reap material benefits from you?

    12If others have this right to receive from you, shouldn’t we have it even more? But we have not used this right. Instead, we endure all things so that we will not be a hindrance to the gospel of Christ.

  • Phil 3:17
    76%

    17Join together in imitating me, brothers and sisters, and keep your eyes on those who live as we do, as they are an example for you.

  • 1 Thess 1:5
    75%

    5Because our gospel came to you not only in words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit, and with deep conviction. As you know, we lived among you for your sake.

  • 2 Cor 8:20
    75%

    20We are taking this precaution so that no one will criticize us regarding this generous gift we are administering.

  • 2 Cor 4:5
    75%

    5For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake.

  • 2 Cor 1:24
    75%

    24Not that we lord it over your faith, but we are fellow workers for your joy, because it is by faith that you stand firm.

  • 2 Cor 5:12
    75%

    12We are not trying to commend ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to take pride in us, so that you can answer those who take pride in what is seen rather than in what is in the heart.

  • 1 Thess 1:7
    74%

    7As a result, you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia.

  • 2 Cor 1:8-9
    2 verses
    74%

    8For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, of the trouble we experienced in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself.

    9Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened so that we would not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.

  • 2 Cor 10:8-9
    2 verses
    74%

    8Even if I boast a little more about the authority the Lord gave us for building you up and not for tearing you down, I will not be ashamed.

    9I do not want to seem as though I am trying to frighten you with my letters.

  • 2 Cor 8:4-5
    2 verses
    74%

    4They urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints.

    5And they exceeded our expectations: they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God's will.

  • 2 Pet 1:16
    74%

    16For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty.

  • 1 Cor 4:12
    73%

    12We work hard with our own hands. When we are insulted, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it.

  • 2 Cor 4:7
    73%

    7But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.

  • 1 Thess 2:1
    73%

    1Brothers and sisters, you yourselves know that our visit to you was not without purpose.

  • 2 Cor 3:5
    73%

    5Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God.

  • 2 Cor 10:16
    73%

    16so that we can preach the gospel in the regions beyond you. For we do not want to boast in work already done in another person's area.

  • 2 Cor 6:3
    73%

    3We give no cause for offense in anything, so that the ministry will not be discredited.

  • 1 Thess 3:1
    73%

    1Therefore, when we could no longer endure it, we thought it best to remain in Athens alone.

  • 1 Cor 3:9
    73%

    9For we are God’s coworkers; you are God’s field, God’s building.

  • 2 Cor 8:8
    73%

    8I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others.

  • 2 Cor 9:4
    73%

    4Otherwise, if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we would be ashamed—not to mention you—in this confidence of boasting.

  • 1 Thess 4:11-12
    2 verses
    73%

    11And to make it your ambition to live quietly, to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you,

    12so that you may conduct yourselves properly toward outsiders and not be dependent on anyone.

  • 1 Thess 1:3
    73%

    3We remember your work produced by faith, your labor motivated by love, and your endurance inspired by the hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father.

  • 1 Thess 3:3-4
    2 verses
    73%

    3So that no one would be unsettled by these troubles. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this.

    4For indeed, when we were with you, we kept telling you in advance that we would suffer tribulation, just as it happened, and as you know.

  • 1 Cor 4:10
    73%

    10We are fools for Christ, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are honored, but we are dishonored!

  • 2 Cor 11:9
    72%

    9And when I was with you and needed something, I was not a burden to anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied what I needed. I have kept and will continue to keep myself from being a burden to you in any way.

  • 2 Cor 10:13-14
    2 verses
    72%

    13We, however, will not boast beyond proper limits, but will confine our boasting to the sphere of service God has assigned to us, a sphere that also includes you.

    14We are not overextending ourselves, as though we had not reached you. For we were the first to come to you with the gospel of Christ.