SEV Biblia, Chapter 3:7
porque vosotros sabis de qu manera es necesario imitarnos, porque no anduvimos desordenadamente entre vosotros,
Clarke's Bible Commentary - 2 Thessalonians 3:7
Verse 7. We behaved not ourselves disorderly] ouk htakthsamen? We did not go out of our rank - we kept our place, and discharged all its duties.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 7. For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us , &c.] The apostle goes on to dissuade from that which denominates persons disorderly walkers, and exposes them to the censure of the church, and that partly by the example of the apostles, and partly by their command. He appeals to them, to their knowledge and judgment, it being a thing well known to them, that they ought to walk as they had the apostles for ensamples; for who should they follow but their spiritual fathers, shepherds, and guides? and especially so far as they were followers of Christ, as they were, in the case referred unto, working with their own hands: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you ; they could appeal to them as witnesses, and God also, how holily, justly, and unblamably they walked among them; (see 1 Thessalonians 2:10) and particularly, that they did not live an idle and inactive life among them.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 6-15 - Those who have received the gospel, are to live according to the gospel. Such as could work, and would not, were not to be maintained i idleness. Christianity is not to countenance slothfulness, which woul consume what is meant to encourage the industrious, and to support the sick and afflicted. Industry in our callings as men, is a duty require by our calling as Christians. But some expected to be maintained i idleness, and indulged a curious and conceited temper. They meddle with the concerns of others, and did much harm. It is a great error an abuse of religion, to make it a cloak for idleness or any other sin The servant who waits for the coming of his Lord aright, must be working as his Lord has commanded. If we are idle, the devil and corrupt heart will soon find us somewhat to do. The mind of man is busy thing; if it is not employed in doing good, it will be doing evil It is an excellent, but rare union, to be active in our own business yet quiet as to other people's. If any refused to labour with quietness, they were to note him with censure, and to separate from his company, yet they were to seek his good by loving admonitions. The Lords is with you while you are with him. Hold on your way, and hold of to the end. We must never give over, or tire in our work. It will be time enough to rest when we come to heaven.
Greek Textus Receptus
αυτοι 846 γαρ 1063 οιδατε 1492 5758 πως 4459 δει 1163 5904 μιμεισθαι 3401 5738 ημας 2248 οτι 3754 ουκ 3756 ητακτησαμεν 812 5656 εν 1722 υμιν 5213
Vincent's NT Word Studies
7. Follow (mimeisqai). Better, imitate. Comp. 1 Cor. iv. 16; xi. 1; Philip. iii. 17; 1 Thess. i. 6.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
3:7 {How ye ought to imitate us} (pws dei mimeisqai hemas). Literally, how it is necessary to imitate us. The infinitive mimeisqai is the old verb mimeomai from mimos (actor, mimic), but in N.T. only here (and verse #9), #Heb 13:7; 3Jo 1:11. It is a daring thing to say, but Paul knew that he had to set the new Christians in the midst of Jews and Gentiles a model for their imitation (#Php 3:17). {For we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you} (hoti ouk etaktesamen en humin). First aorist active indicative of old verb ataktew, to be out of ranks of soldiers. Specific denial on Paul's part in contrast to verse #6,17.
