These verses emphasize the importance of following the example set by Paul and his companions when they were with the Thessalonian Christians. They had worked hard and been self-sufficient, so as not to be a burden on the community, and they encouraged the Thessalonian Christians to imitate this example.
The verses also emphasize that this behavior was not because Paul and his companions did not have the right to receive help, but because they wanted to set an example for the Thessalonian Christians to follow. In this way, they were modeling a way of life that was based on responsibility, accountability, and hard work.
These verses can be seen as a reminder to all Christians to follow the example of those who are responsible and accountable, and to take responsibility for their own lives. They emphasize the importance of hard work and self-sufficiency, and they encourage us to model our lives on the examples set by those who have lived before us.
In the broader context of the letter to the Thessalonians, these verses are part of Paul's response to the problem of idleness that has arisen within the church. He is urging the Thessalonian Christians to avoid the influence of those who are not working and to imitate his own example of hard work and self-sufficiency.
In this way, this is a call to action for all Christians to take responsibility for their own lives and to work hard, both for their own benefit and for the benefit of the wider community. This is in line with other teachings in the New Testament that emphasize the importance of work and self-sufficiency, such as 2 Thessalonians 3:10 ("for even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: 'The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.'")
Additionally, these verses highlight the importance of following the example of leaders within the church. By imitating the hard-working and responsible behavior of Paul and his companions, the Thessalonian Christians could build a stronger and more productive community. This concept is also emphasized in other parts of the New Testament, such as 1 Corinthians 11:1 ("Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.").
In conclusion, it is a reminder of the importance of hard work, self-sufficiency, and responsibility, and of the need to follow the examples set by leaders within the church. These verses can serve as a model for all Christians to live a productive and responsible life in accordance with the teachings of Jesus Christ.
2 Thessalonians 3:7-8. We didn’t behave ourselves rebelliously among you, neither did we eat bread from anyone’s hand without paying for it, but in labor and travail worked night and day, that we might not burden any of you.