more—and that ye study” (1 Thess. iv. 1-11.)—and nowhere does he say, “we command,” nor “in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ,” which was fearful and implied danger, but that “ye abound,” he says, and “study,” which are the words of one exhorting to virtue; “that ye may walk honestly” (becomingly), he says. (1 Thess. iv. 12.) But here is nothing of this kind, but “if any one will not work,” says he, “neither let him eat.” For if Paul, not being under a necessity, and having a right to be idle, and having undertaken so great a work, did never- theless work, and not merely work, but “night and day,” so that he was able even to assist others,—much more ought others to do this. Ver. 11. “For we hear of some that walk among you disorderly, that work not at all, but are busybodies.” This indeed he says here; but there, in the first Epistle, he says, “that ye may walk honestly towards them that are without.” On what account? Perhaps there was as yet no such thing. For upon another occasion also admonishing, he says, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts xx. 35.) But the expression, “walk honestly” has no reference to disorder; wherefore he added, “that ye may have need of nothing.” (1 Thess. iv. 12.) And here he sets down another necessity, for thus doing what was honorable and good towards all. (For as he proceeds, he says, “be not weary in well doing.”) For certainly he that is idle and yet able to work must needs be a busybody. But alms are given to those only who are not able to support themselves by the work of their own hands, or who teach, and are wholly occupied in the business of teaching. “For thou shalt not muzzle the ox,” he says, “when he treadeth out the corn.” (Deut. xxv. 4.) “And the laborer is worthy of his hire.” (1 Tim. v. 18, and Luke x. 7.) So that neither is he idle, but receives the reward of work and great work too. But to pray and fast, being idle,1079 is not the work of the hands. For the work that he is here speaking of is the work of the hands. And that you may not suspect any such thing, he has added, “That work not at all, but are busybodies. Now them that are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Because he had touched them severely, wishing to render his discourse more mild, he adds, “through the Lord,” again what is authoritivate and fearful. “That with quietness,” he says, “they work, and eat their own bread.” For why has he not said, But if they are not disorderly let them be maintained by you; but requires both, that they be quiet, and that they work? “That they may eat their own bread,” says he, not that of another. Ver. 13. “But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.” 1079 See on 1 Thess. iv. 12, where he says nearly the same. On 1 Tim. v. 10 he praises the Monks near Antioch, but it appears that they were industrious. 692 2 Thessalonians 3:3-5