2 Thessalonians 3:9 (KJV)

Passage

Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.

Nearby Context

2 Thessalonians 3:7 For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;

2 Thessalonians 3:8 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:

2 Thessalonians 3:9 Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.

2 Thessalonians 3:10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.

2 Thessalonians 3:11 For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "power", "make", "ourselves", "ensample", and "follow". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "power" and "make", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 8's "Neither did we eat any man s..." into verse 10's "For even when we were with you...", so "power" and "make" belong inside that flow. In 2 Thessalonians context, the local focus is Christ, faith, and discipleship.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "power" and "make" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.