2 Thessalonians 3:8

NET Bible® (New English Translation)

and we did not eat anyone’s food without paying. Instead, in toil and drudgery we worked night and day in order not to burden any of you.

Additional Resources

Referenced Verses

  • Acts 18:3 : 3 and because he worked at the same trade, he stayed with them and worked with them(for they were tentmakers by trade).
  • 1 Thess 2:9 : 9 For you recall, brothers and sisters, our toil and drudgery: By working night and day so as not to impose a burden on any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God.
  • 1 Thess 4:11 : 11 to aspire to lead a quiet life, to attend to your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you.
  • Eph 4:28 : 28 The one who steals must steal no longer; instead he must labor, doing good with his own hands, so that he will have something to share with the one who has need.
  • 2 Thess 3:12 : 12 Now such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to work quietly and so provide their own food to eat.
  • Prov 31:27 : 27 Watching over the ways of her household, she would not eat the bread of idleness.
  • Matt 6:11 : 11 Give us today our daily bread,
  • Acts 20:34 : 34 You yourselves know that these hands of mine provided for my needs and the needs of those who were with me.
  • 1 Cor 4:12 : 12 We do hard work, toiling with our own hands. When we are verbally abused, we respond with a blessing, when persecuted, we endure,
  • 2 Cor 11:9 : 9 When I was with you and was in need, I was not a burden to anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia fully supplied my needs. I kept myself from being a burden to you in any way, and will continue to do so.

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 3:9-13
    5 verses
    88%

    9It was not because we do not have that right, but to give ourselves as an example for you to imitate.

    10For even when we were with you, we used to give you this command:“If anyone is not willing to work, neither should he eat.”

    11For we hear that some among you are living an undisciplined life, not doing their own work but meddling in the work of others.

    12Now such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to work quietly and so provide their own food to eat.

    13But you, brothers and sisters, do not grow weary in doing what is right.

  • 1 Thess 2:1-10
    10 verses
    88%

    1Paul’s Ministry in Thessalonica For you yourselves know, brothers and sisters, about our coming to you– it has not proven to be purposeless.

    2But although we suffered earlier and were mistreated in Philippi, as you know, we had the courage in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in spite of much opposition.

    3For the appeal we make does not come from error or impurity or with deceit,

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

    5For we never appeared with flattering speech, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed– God is our witness–

    6nor to seek glory from people, either from you or from others,

    7although we could have imposed our weight as apostles of Christ; instead we became little children among you. Like a nursing mother caring for her own children,

    8with such affection for you we were happy to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us.

    9For you recall, brothers and sisters, our toil and drudgery: By working night and day so as not to impose a burden on any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God.

    10You are witnesses, and so is God, as to how holy and righteous and blameless our conduct was toward you who believe.

  • 1 Cor 9:6-7
    2 verses
    78%

    6Or do only Barnabas and I lack the right not to work?

    7Who ever serves in the army at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat its fruit? Who tends a flock and does not consume its milk?

  • 2 Thess 3:7
    78%

    7For you know yourselves how you must imitate us, because we did not behave without discipline among you,

  • 2 Cor 11:7-9
    3 verses
    76%

    7Or did I commit a sin by humbling myself so that you could be exalted, because I proclaimed the gospel of God to you free of charge?

    8I robbed other churches by receiving support from them so that I could serve you!

    9When I was with you and was in need, I was not a burden to anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia fully supplied my needs. I kept myself from being a burden to you in any way, and will continue to do so.

  • 1 Cor 4:11-12
    2 verses
    75%

    11To the present hour we are hungry and thirsty, poorly clothed, brutally treated, and without a roof over our heads.

    12We do hard work, toiling with our own hands. When we are verbally abused, we respond with a blessing, when persecuted, we endure,

  • 1 Cor 9:11-12
    2 verses
    75%

    11If we sowed spiritual blessings among you, is it too much to reap material things from you?

    12If others receive this right from you, are we not more deserving?But we have not made use of this right. Instead we endure everything so that we may not be a hindrance to the gospel of Christ.

  • 2 Cor 8:20-21
    2 verses
    74%

    20We did this as a precaution so that no one should blame us in regard to this generous gift we are administering.

    21For we are concerned about what is right not only before the Lord but also before men.

  • 2 Cor 8:13
    74%

    13For I do not say this so there would be relief for others and suffering for you, but as a matter of equality.

  • 2 Cor 8:4-5
    2 verses
    73%

    4begging us with great earnestness for the blessing and fellowship of helping the saints.

    5And they did this not just as we had hoped, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and to us by the will of God.

  • 2 Cor 1:8
    73%

    8For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, regarding the affliction that happened to us in the province of Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of living.

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

    11to aspire to lead a quiet life, to attend to your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you.

    12In this way you will live a decent life before outsiders and not be in need.

  • 2 Cor 7:2
    73%

    2Make room for us in your hearts; we have wronged no one, we have ruined no one, we have exploited no one.

  • Matt 10:10
    73%

    10no bag for the journey, or an extra tunic, or sandals or staff, for the worker deserves his provisions.

  • 1 Cor 9:4
    73%

    4Do we not have the right to financial support?

  • Acts 20:33-34
    2 verses
    72%

    33I have desired no one’s silver or gold or clothing.

    34You yourselves know that these hands of mine provided for my needs and the needs of those who were with me.

  • 1 Thess 1:3
    72%

    3because we recall in the presence of our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and endurance of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

  • 1 Cor 3:9
    72%

    9We are coworkers belonging to God. You are God’s field, God’s building.

  • 2 Cor 1:24
    72%

    24I do not mean that we rule over your faith, but we are workers with you for your joy, because by faith you stand firm.

  • 2 Cor 4:5
    71%

    5For we do not proclaim ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus’ sake.

  • 2 Cor 11:27
    71%

    27in hard work and toil, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, many times without food, in cold and without enough clothing.

  • 1 Thess 1:5
    71%

    5in that our gospel did not come to you merely in words, but in power and in the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction(surely you recall the character we displayed when we came among you to help you).

  • 2 Cor 8:8
    71%

    8I am not saying this as a command, but I am testing the genuineness of your love by comparison with the eagerness of others.

  • 2 Cor 6:3-4
    2 verses
    71%

    3We do not give anyone an occasion for taking an offense in anything, so that no fault may be found with our ministry.

    4But as God’s servants, we have commended ourselves in every way, with great endurance, in persecutions, in difficulties, in distresses,

  • 1 Cor 9:18
    71%

    18What then is my reward? That when I preach the gospel I may offer the gospel free of charge, and so not make full use of my rights in the gospel.

  • 1 Thess 3:4
    71%

    4For in fact when we were with you, we were telling you in advance that we would suffer affliction, and so it has happened, as you well know.

  • 1 Thess 3:10
    71%

    10We pray earnestly night and day to see you in person and make up what may be lacking in your faith.