I would guess this only means those that the church as a whole - provides for. The New Testament church was in the habit of providing for the poor among them. But I think - whenever possible, elderly parents were to be provided for by their own chlldren. And of course, it isn't reasonable to require elderly people to work for a living any more. And widows, who were widows indeed - were also be provided by ones of their family, if possible. But if a widow was beyond the age of marriageability, and had no one to provide for them of their family - they could be provided for by the church, if they had been known to have done much work for others in the past - and not been lazy about helping others.
I also thought of Christians who had mental or emotional problems. They are not mentioned in this subject in the Bible. But I can expect that they were to be cared for by their families too if at all possible. I would guess they'd have to be provided for the church too - if they had no such help. So the rule of "If any would not work, neither should he eat" must not have been a hard, fast, un-bendable rule, I'd guess. But closely adhered to, as much as was possible. I thought of one example of a Christian hymn writer in history, who had emotional problems and so was unable to work, and was provided for by ones of his family or relatives. I'm talking of - William Cowper, who wrote the hymn, "There is a Fountain Filled With Blood."
Below, are verses that emphasize the rule of "If any would not work, neither should he eat:"
2 Thess 3:10-12
10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.
11 For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.
12 Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.
KJV
1 Thess 4:11-12
11 And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;
12 That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.
KJV
I also thought of Christians who had mental or emotional problems. They are not mentioned in this subject in the Bible. But I can expect that they were to be cared for by their families too if at all possible. I would guess they'd have to be provided for the church too - if they had no such help. So the rule of "If any would not work, neither should he eat" must not have been a hard, fast, un-bendable rule, I'd guess. But closely adhered to, as much as was possible. I thought of one example of a Christian hymn writer in history, who had emotional problems and so was unable to work, and was provided for by ones of his family or relatives. I'm talking of - William Cowper, who wrote the hymn, "There is a Fountain Filled With Blood."
Below, are verses that emphasize the rule of "If any would not work, neither should he eat:"
2 Thess 3:10-12
10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.
11 For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.
12 Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.
KJV
1 Thess 4:11-12
11 And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;
12 That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.
KJV
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