2 Thessalonians 3:8
King James Version (1769)
Other translations
| Verse | KJV | BSB | ASV |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | Neither did we eat any man’s bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you: | nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. Instead, in labor and toil, we worked night and day so that we would not be a burden to any of you. | neither did we eat bread for nought at any man’s hand, but in labor and travail, working night and day, that we might not burden any of you: |
In context
AI-assisted, sourcedPaul and his partners did not eat any man's bread for nothing. They worked with labour and travail night and day, so as not to be chargeable to any of them. 2 Thessalonians 3:72 Thessalonians 3:8
SpeakingPaul, writing with Silvanus and Timotheus. Paul signs the letter in his own hand (3:17). 2 Thessalonians overview
ToThe church of the Thessalonians, believers in Thessalonica whom Paul had taught in person. 2 Thessalonians overview
Also involvedThe Thessalonian believers, who saw Paul's work. 2 Thessalonians 3:8
Paul describes his example (3:7-9) in detail. 2 Thessalonians 3:72 Thessalonians 3:8
The letter went to Thessalonica, a city of Macedonia in northern Greece. The letter does not say where it was written; the traditional view is Corinth. 2 Thessalonians overview
The eventsThis was during Paul's stay in Thessalonica. 2 Thessalonians 3:82 Thessalonians overview
WrittenTraditional: about AD 50-51, from Corinth, a few months after 1 Thessalonians. Scholarly: some hold a follower wrote it in Paul's name later in the first century; many others accept that Paul wrote it soon after 1 Thessalonians. 2 Thessalonians overview
HerePaul shows the idle members that even an apostle worked for his bread. 2 Thessalonians 3:82 Thessalonians 3:11
In the whole of ScripturePaul wrote before, "ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you" (1 Thessalonians 2:9). Acts records that "by their occupation they were tentmakers" (Acts 18:3). He told them "to work with your own hands, as we commanded you" (1 Thessalonians 4:11). 1 Thessalonians 2:9Acts 18:31 Thessalonians 4:11
For readersHonest work is part of a faithful Christian life, for leaders and members alike. 2 Thessalonians 3:81 Thessalonians 4:11
- for noughtδωρεάν
The word means freely, without payment. Strong's G1432
- labourκόπος
The word means labour, toil. Strong's G2873
- travailμόχθος
The word means toil, hardship. The lexicon lists 2 Corinthians 11:27 and 1 Thessalonians 2:9 as its other uses. Strong's G3449
- chargeableἐπιβαρέω
The word means to burden. The lexicon lists 2 Corinthians 2:6 and 1 Thessalonians 2:9 as its other uses. Strong's G1912
Takeaway
Paul and his partners worked night and day so as not to be a burden to anyone. 2 Thessalonians 3:81 Thessalonians 2:9
Drafted by AI from the Scripture and data shown under “Show sources,” then checked automatically and by a second AI pass. Updated 2026-10-28.
Original Greek words
| English | Greek | Say it | Strong's | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nor | οὐδὲ | oude | G3761 | norοὐδέ (oude) οὐδέ, negative particle, related to μηδέ as οὐ to μή. I. As conjc., and not, also not, neither, nor: Mat.6:15, Luk.16:31, Rom.4:15, al.; οὐ . . . οὐδέ, Mat.5:15 10:24, Mrk.4:22, Luk.6:43, 44, Jhn.6:24, Act.2:27, Rom.2:28, al. (see Bl., §77, 10). II. As adv., not even: Mat.6:29, Mrk.6:31, Luk.7:9, 1Co.5:1; οὐδὲ εἷς, Act.4:32, Rom.3:10" (LXX) . (AS) |
| without payment | δωρεὰν | dōrean | G1432 | freelyδωρεάν (dōrean) δωρεάν, see: δωρεά. δωρεά, -ᾶς, ἡ (δίδωμι), [in LXX chiefly (-άν) for חִנָּם, as Gen.29:15 ;] a gift: Act.11:17, Rom.5:15, Heb.6:4; δ. τ. θεοῦ, Jhn.4:10, Act.8:20; τ. Χριστοῦ, Eph.4:7; τ. πνεύματος, Act.2:38 10:45; τ. δικαιοσύνης, Rom.5:17; τ. χάριτος, Eph.3:7; ἀνεκδιηγήτὶῳ δ., 2Co.9:15. Acc, δωρεάν, adverbially (as frequently in LXX), (a) freely, as a gift: Mat.10:8, Rom.3:24, 2Co.11:7, 2Th.3:8, Rev.21:6 22:17; (b) in vain, uselessly: (Jhn.15:25 LXX) Gal.2:21.† SYN.: see: δόμα (AS) |
| bread | ἄρτον | arton | G0740 | breadἄρτος (artos) ἄρτος, -ου, ὁ, [in LXX chiefly for לֶחֶם ;] bread, a loaf: Mat.4:3, 4 Mrk.3:20, al.; ἄρτοι τ. προθέσεως, bread of the setting forth, i.e. the shewbread. Metaphorical, ὁ ἄ. τ. θεοῦ, τ. ζωῆς, ref. to Christ, Jhn.6:33, 35; in general, food: Mat.6:11, al.; ἄ. φαγεῖν (Heb. אֲכֹל לֶחֶם), to eat (MM, see word), Lu 14:1, al. (AS) |
| did we eat | ἐφάγομεν | ephagomen | G5315 | to eatφαγεῖν (phagein) φάγομαιHellenistic for cl. ἔδομαι, see: ἐσθίω. ἐσθίω, and (poet, and late prose) ἔσθω, [in LXX chiefly for אכל ;] to eat; (a) absol.: Mat.14:20, 21 Mrk.6:31, Jhn.4:31, al.; ἐν τ. φαγεῖν (on this aor. form, see M, Pr., 111), 1Co.11:21; διδόναι φαγεῖν, with dative of person(s), Mrk.5:43, al.; ἐ. καὶ πίνειν, Mat.6:25, 31 Luk.10:7, al.; of ordinary use of food and drink, 1Co.9:4 11:22; of partaking of food at table, Mrk.2:16, Luk.5:30, al.; opposite to fasting, Mat.11:18, Luk.5:33, al.; of revelling, Mat.24:49, Luk.12:45 . … |
| from | παρά | para | G3844 | from/with/besideπαρά (para) παρά, prep. with genitive, dative, accusative, with radical sense, beside. I. C. genitive of person(s), from the side of, from beside, from, indicating source or origin, [in LXX for מֵאֵצֶל ,מִיַד ,מִלִּפְנֵי ;] after verbs of motion, Mrk.14:43, Luk.8:49, Jhn.15:26, al.; after verbs of seeking, receiving, hearing, etc., Mrk.8:11 12:2, Jhn.4:9, 52 10:18, Php.4:18, 2Ti.1:18, Jas.1:7, al.; after passive verbs, of the agent (like ὑπό), Mat.21:42, Mrk.12:11, Luk.1:37; absol., οἱ παρ᾽ αὐτοῦ, his family, his kinsfolk, Mrk.3:21 (cf. M, Pr., 106f.; Field, Notes, 25f.; Swete, in l.); τὰ παρ᾽ αὐτῆς (αὐ … |
| anyone, | τινος, | tinos | G5100 | oneτις (tis) τις, neut., τι, genitive, τινός, enclitic indefinite pron., related to interrog. τίς as πού, πως, ποτέ to ποῦ, πῶς, πότε. I. As subst., 1. one, a certain one: Luk.9:49, Jhn.11:1, Act.5:25, al.; pl., τίνες, certain, some: Luk.13:1, Act.15:1, Rom.3:8, al. 2. someone, anyone, something, anything: Mat.12:29, Mrk.9:30, Luk.8:46, Jhn.2:25, Act.17:25, Rom.5:7, al.; = indef., one (French on), Mrk.8:4, Jhn.2:25, Rom.8:24, al.; pl., τινες, some, Mrk.14:4, al. II. II. As adj., … |
| but | ἀλλ᾽ | all᾽ | G0235 | butἀλλά (alla) ἀλλά (ἀλλ᾽ usually bef. α and υ, often bef. ε and η, rarely bef. ο and ω, never bef. ι; Tdf., Pr., 93 f.; WH, App., 146), adversative particle, stronger than δέ; prop. neuter pl. of ἄλλος, used adverbially, with changed accent; hence prop. otherwise, on the other hand (cf. Rom.3:31); … |
| in | ἐν | en | G1722 | in/on/amongἐν (en) ἐν, prep, (the most frequently of all in NT), with dative (= Heb. בְּ, Lat. in, with abl.). I. Of place, with dative of thing(s), of person(s), in, within, on, at, by, among: ἐν τ. πόλει, Luk.7:37; τ. οφθαλμῷ, Mat.7:3; τ. κοιλίᾳ, Mat.12:40; τ. ὄρει, 2Pe.1:18; τ. θρόνῳ, Rev.3:21; τ. δεξιᾷ τ. θεοῦ, Rom.8:34; ἐν ἡμῖν Abbott-Smith has ὑμῖν., Luk.1:1; of books, ἐν τ. βιβλίῳ, Gal.3:10; τ. νόμῳ, Mat.12:5, al.; ἐν τοῖς τ. Πατρός, in my Father's house (RV; cf. M, Pr., 103), Luk.2:49; trop., of the region of thought or feeling, ἐν τ. καρδίᾳ (-αις), Mat.5:28, 2Co.4:6, al.; τ. συνειδήσεσιν, 2Co.5:11; af … |
| labor | κόπῳ | kopō | G2873 | laborκόπος (kopos) κόπος, -ου, ὁ (κόπτω) [in LXX chiefly for עָמָל, also for אָוֶן, etc. ;] 1. a striking, beating (in Jer.45:3 = κοπετός) 2. laborious toil, trouble: Jhn.4:38, 1Co.3:8 15:58, 1Th.3:5; κ. τ. ἀγάπης, 1Th.1:3; ἔργα καὶ κ., Rev.2:2; κ. καὶ μόχθος, 2Co.11:27, 1Th.2:9, 2Th.3:8; pl., ἐν κ., 2Co.6:5 10:15 11:23; ἐκ τ. κ., Rev.14:13; κόπονς (-ον) παρέχειν (in cl. more frequently π. πράγματα, πονον), with dative of person(s), Mat.26:10, Mrk.14:6, Luk.11:7 18:5, Gal.6:17.† … |
| and | καὶ | kai | G2532 | andκαί (kai) καί, conj., and I. Copulative. 1. Connecting single words; (a) in general: Mat.2:18, 16:1, Mrk.2:15, Luk.8:15, Heb.1:1, al. mult.; repeated before each of the terms in a series, Mat.23:23, Luk.14:21, Rom.7:12, 9:4, al. (b) connecting numerals (WM, §37, 4): Jhn.2:20, Act.13:20; (with) joining terms which are not mutually exclusive, as the part with the whole: Mat.8:33, 26:59, Mrk.16:17, Act.5:29, al. 2. Connecting clauses and sentences: Mat.3:12, Act.5:21, al. mult.; esp. … |
| hardship | μόχθῳ | mochthō | G3449 | toilμόχθος (mochthos) μόχθος, -ου, ὁ (= Hom. μόγος), in cl. chiefly poët., [in LXX for תְּלָאָה, עָמָל, etc. ;] toil, labour, hardship, distress: 2Co.11:27, 1Th.2:9, 2Th.3:8.† SYN.: κόπος (which see), πόνος (AS) |
| night | νυκτὸς | nuktos | G3571 | nightνύξ (nux) νύξ genitive νυκτός, ἡ, [in LXX chiefly for לַיִל ;] night: Mat.12:40, Mrk.6:48, Jhn.13:30, al.; genitive temp. (of the time within which something happens; M, Pr., 73; B1., § 36, 13), νυκτός, by night, Mat.2:14, Jhn.3:2, 1Th.5:7, al.; ν. κ. ἡμέρας, Mrk.5:5, 1Th.2:9, al.; ἡμέρας κ. ν., Luk.18:7, Rev.4:8, al.; μέσης ν., Mat.25:6; dative, νυκτί, in ans. to the question, "when?" (rare in cl.; Hdt., Soph.), ταύτῃ τ. ν., Luk.12:20, al.; ἐκείνῃ Act.12:6; ἐπιούσῃ, Act.23:11; accusative durat. (Bl., § 34, 8; Kühner3, III, 314b), ν. κ. ἠμέραν, Luk.2:37 Act.20:31; τ. νύκτας, Luk.21:37; διὰ νυκτός (= c … |
| and | καὶ | kai | G2532 | andκαί (kai) καί, conj., and I. Copulative. 1. Connecting single words; (a) in general: Mat.2:18, 16:1, Mrk.2:15, Luk.8:15, Heb.1:1, al. mult.; repeated before each of the terms in a series, Mat.23:23, Luk.14:21, Rom.7:12, 9:4, al. (b) connecting numerals (WM, §37, 4): Jhn.2:20, Act.13:20; (with) joining terms which are not mutually exclusive, as the part with the whole: Mat.8:33, 26:59, Mrk.16:17, Act.5:29, al. 2. Connecting clauses and sentences: Mat.3:12, Act.5:21, al. mult.; esp. … |
| day | ἡμέρας | hēmeras | G2250 | dayἡμέρα (hēmera) ἡμέρα, -ας, ἡ, [in LXX chiefly (very freq.) for יוֹם ;] day; 1. as distinct from night: genitive ἡμέρας, by day (WM, §30, 11), Rev.21:25; ἡ. κ. νυκτός (ν. κ. ̔ἡ.), Act.9:24, 1Th.2:9, 2Th.3:8, Rev.4:8 (BL, §36, 13); ἡμέρας μέσης, at mid-day, Act.26:13; accusative durat., τ. ἡμέρας, Luk.21:37; ὅλην τὴν ἡ., Rom.8:36; ἐν ἡμέρα, Jhn.11:9, Rom.13:13; ἡμέρας ὁδός, a day's journey, Luk.2:44; ἡ. γίνεται, Lk 4:42 22:66; κλίνει, Luk.9:12, al.; metaphorically, Jhn.9:4, Rom.13:12, 1Th.5:4, 5 8, 2Pe.1:19. … |
| working | ἐργαζόμενοι | ergazomenoi | G2038 | to workἐργάζομαι (ergazomai) ἐργάζομαι (ἔργον), [in LXX for עָבַד, פָּעַל, עָשָׂה, etc. ;] 1. intrans., (a) to work, labour: Mat.21:28, Luk.13:14, Jhn.5:17 9:4 b, Act.18:3, 1Co.9:6, 2Th.3:10-12; τ. χερσίν, 1Co.4:12, 1Th.4:11; νυκτὸς κ. ἡαέρας, 1Th.2:9, 2Th.3:8; of working for pay, Mat.21:28; for reward, Rom.4:4-5; (b) to work at a trade or business, to trade: before Iv (Dem.), Mat.25:16. 2. Trans., … |
| in order | πρὸς | pros | G4314 | to/withπρός (pros) πρός, prep. with genitive, dative, accusative I. I. C. genitive, of motion from a place, from the side of, hence metaphorically, in the interests of, Act.27:34 (cf. Page, in l.). II. II. C. dative, of local proximity, hard by, near, at: Mrk.5:11, Luk.19:37, Jhn.18:16 20:11, 12 Rev.1:13. III. C. accusative, of motion or direction towards a place or object, to, towards. 1. Of place, … |
| not | μὴ | mē | G3361 | notμή (mē) μή, subjective negative particle, used where the negation depends on a condition or hypothesis, expressed or understood, as distinct from οὐ, which denies absolutely. μή is used where one thinks a thing is not, as distinct from an absolute negation. As a general rule, οὐ negatives the indic, μή the other moods, incl, ptcp. [In LXX for אֵין ,אַיִן ,אַל ] I. As a neg. adv., not; 1. with ref. to thought or opinion: Jhn.3:18, Tit.1:11, 2Pe.1:9. 2. In delib. questions, with subjc. (M, Pr., 185): Mrk.12:14, Rom.3:8. … |
| to be burdensome to | ἐπιβαρῆσαί | epibarēsai | G1912 | to burdenἐπιβαρέω (epibareō) ἐπι-βαρέω, -ῶ to put a burden on, be burdensome: figuratively, absol., 2Co.2:6; with accusative of person(s), 1Th.2:9, 2Th.3:8 (cf. M, Th., I, 29).† (AS) |
| any | τινα | tina | G5100 | oneτις (tis) τις, neut., τι, genitive, τινός, enclitic indefinite pron., related to interrog. τίς as πού, πως, ποτέ to ποῦ, πῶς, πότε. I. As subst., 1. one, a certain one: Luk.9:49, Jhn.11:1, Act.5:25, al.; pl., τίνες, certain, some: Luk.13:1, Act.15:1, Rom.3:8, al. 2. someone, anyone, something, anything: Mat.12:29, Mrk.9:30, Luk.8:46, Jhn.2:25, Act.17:25, Rom.5:7, al.; = indef., one (French on), Mrk.8:4, Jhn.2:25, Rom.8:24, al.; pl., τινες, some, Mrk.14:4, al. II. II. As adj., … |
| of you; | ὑμῶν· | humōn | G4771 | youσέ (se) αὐτός, -ή, -ό, determinative pron., in late Gk. much more frequently than in cl. (WM, 178f.; Jannaris, HGG, §1399). 1. Emphatic (so always in nom. exc. when preceded by the art., see infr., iii); (1) self (ipse), expressing opposition, distinction, exclusion, etc., αὐ. ἐκχυθήσεται, Luk.5:37; αὐ. ἐγινώσκεν, Jhn.2:25; αὐ.ὑμεῖς, Jhn.3:28; καὶ αὐ. ἐγώ, Rom.15:14; αὐ. Ἰησοῦς, Jhn.2:24; αὐ. καὶ οἱ μετ᾽ αὐτοῦ, Mrk.2:25; ὑμεῖς αὐ., Mrk.6:31; esp. (as freq in cl.) αὐ. ὁ, Mat.3:4, Mrk.6:17, Jhn.16:27, 1Th.3:11, al.; in late Gk., sometimes weakened, ἐν αὐτῇ τ. ὥρᾳ, in that hour, Luk.10:21 (M, Pr., 91; … |
Words and meanings from STEPBible data (Tyndale House, Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). The capitalized syllable is the stressed one.