2Th 3:10-11 | RWP | e4.org | This ( τουτο ). What he proceeds to give. If any will not work, neither let him eat ( οτ ε τις ου θελε εργαζεσθα μηδε εσθιετω ). Recitative οτ here not to be translated, like our modern quotation marks. Apparently a Jewish proverb based on . Wetstein quotes several parallels. Moffatt gives this from Carlyle's Chartism : "He that will not work according to his faculty, let him perish according to his necessity." Deissmann ( Light from the Ancient East , p. 314) sees Paul borrowing a piece of workshop morality. It was needed, as is plain. This is a condition of the first class (note negative ου ) with the negative imperative in the conclusion.

‏ 2 Thessalonians 3:10-11

This ( τουτο ). What he proceeds to give.

If any will not work, neither let him eat ( οτ ε τις ου θελε εργαζεσθα μηδε εσθιετω ). Recitative οτ here not to be translated, like our modern quotation marks. Apparently a Jewish proverb based on Ge 3:19. Wetstein quotes several parallels. Moffatt gives this from Carlyle's Chartism: "He that will not work according to his faculty, let him perish according to his necessity." Deissmann (Light from the Ancient East, p. 314) sees Paul borrowing a piece of workshop morality. It was needed, as is plain. This is a condition of the first class (note negative ου ) with the negative imperative in the conclusion.

For we hear ( ακουομεν γαρ ). Fresh news from Thessalonica evidently. For the present tense compare 1Co 11:18. The accusative and the participle is a regular idiom for indirect discourse with this verb (Robertson, Grammar, pp. 1040-2). Three picturesque present participles, the first a general description, περιπατουντας ατακτως, the other two specifying with a vivid word-play,

that work not at all, but are busy-bodies ( μηδεν εργαζομενους αλλα περιεργαζομενους ). Literally,

doing nothing but doing around. Ellicott suggests,

doing no business but being busy bodies. "The first persecution at Thessalonica had been fostered by a number of fanatical loungers (Ac 17:5)" (Moffatt). These theological dead-beats were too pious to work, but perfectly willing to eat at the hands of their neighbours while they piddled and frittered away the time in idleness.