Matthew Poole and continuators on 2 Thessalonians 3:12

12 Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ , that with quietness they work , and eat their own bread .

He had before given command to the Church, to withdraw from [illegible: 1 word] verse 6. And now he lays his Commandment upon them[illegible: 4 letters]es, and that in the name of Christ.

Working is set opposite to their idleness, and quietness to their busie medling where they ought not, whereby they might occasion strife. The Apostle here, and in many other places requires Christians to live peaceably, as 2 Cor. 13.11. Col. 3.15. 1 Thess. 5.13. Heb. 12.14.

Not to live as drones upon others labours, yet he forbids not dealing their bread to the hungry; nor requires this of the poor that are necessitated to live upon alms: And by eating their own bread the Apostle means, maintaining themselves, and Families, for bread is taken in Scripture for all things that maintain the natural Life: And the Apostle here insinuates a blessing upon honest labour, that thereby men shall have bread of their own: and doth assert property against that community which some have pleaded for, the civil right that men have to what they honestly get and possess, but hereby condemn Oppressours, Pirats, Robbers, Cheaters, Usurpers, yea, and Tyrannical Princes, who maintain themselves upon the spoil of others, and take their bread out of others mouths: And why not also such as are not quiet and contented with their own portion, but either envy others, or murmure against providence.

Marginal references: 1 Thes. 4.11.