What Does 2 Thessalonians 3:7 Mean?

(7) **For** justifies the assertion that they *had* received a better teaching. (Comp. 1Thessalonians 2:1; 1Thessalonians 4:9; 1Thessalonians 5:2.) **To follow us.**—The word, of course, means “to imitate”; and the rather compressed expression seems to stand for something fuller, such as, “Yourselves know how you ought to live, for you have but to imitate us: you recollect not only a tradition, but an example.” This is better than (with St. Chrysostom) to make the whole “tradition” consist of example without precept, however such an interpretation might simplify the logic. **For** (or *because*)*.*—Historical justification of the statement that their example was a trustworthy mode in this particular, at any rate: see the same use of “for” in 1Thessalonians 2:9, “for labouring,” &c.; 1Thessalonians 4:3. It *is* perhaps simpler, however, to translate the word “that,” instead of “for “: “You know perfectly how to live—how to imitate our example—that we never,” &c. Then follows a description of the Apostles’ conduct at Thessalonica similar to that in the First Epistle, thus giving us a clearer understanding why they dwelt so long and so passionately upon the topic *there*—namely, in order by force of tacit, contrast to shame the disorderly brethren into imitation.