2 Thessalonians 3:8

New Testament

6 But we command you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from any brother who lives an undisciplined life and not according to the tradition they received from us. 7 For you know yourselves how you must imitate us, because we did not behave without discipline among you, 8 and we did not eat anyone’s food without paying. Instead, in toil and drudgery we worked night and day in order not to burden any of you. 9 It was not because we do not have that right, but to give ourselves as an example for you to imitate. 10 For even when we were with you, we used to give you this command: “If anyone is not willing to work, neither should he eat.” 11 For we hear that some among you are living an undisciplined life, not doing their own work but meddling in the work of others.

Pirkei Avot 4:5

Mishnah
Rabbinic

5 Rabbi Ishmael his son said: He who learns in order to teach, it is granted to him to study and to teach; But he who learns in order to practice, it is granted to him to learn and to teach and to practice. Rabbi Zadok said: Do not separate yourself from the community. Do not act as a counselor-at-law (when serving as a judge). Do not make them a crown for self-exaltation, nor a spade with which to dig. So too Hillel used to say, “And he that puts the crown to his own use shall perish.” Thus you have learned, anyone who derives worldly benefit from the words of the Torah, removes his life from the world. 6 Rabbi Yose said: whoever honors the Torah is himself honored by others, and whoever dishonors the Torah is himself dishonored by others. 7 Rabbi Ishmael his son said: he who refrains himself from judgment, rids himself of enmity, robbery and false swearing; But he whose heart is presumptuous in giving a judicial decision, is foolish, wicked and arrogant.

 Notes and References

"... The Mishnah states that no one should use the Torah as a 'spade' for the digging of wealth (Pirkei Avot 4:5). Hence, teachers and sages are often linked with various occupations and trades. These include that of woodchopper (Hillel), surveyor (Shammai), blacksmith (Joshua), tanner (Ishmael), and water-carrier (Huna) (compare Pirkei Avot 2:2). Paul's activity as a leather-worker (Acts 18:3) reflects this custom of not receiving payment for religious teaching (compare Acts 20:34; 2 Corinthians 11:7-8; 1 Thessalonians 2:9; 2 Thessalonians 3:8) ..."

Wilson, Marvin R. Our Father Abraham: Jewish Roots of the Christian Faith (p. 300) William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1989

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