Both are done from the face of the Lord Himself. He commands by the authority given by the Lord. He entreats by the love of Christ. By both he makes his speech both fearsome and attractive, driving them from every side toward obedience. Strictness with love is always victorious. "Since," writes Theophylact, "he had used somewhat strict speech above, saying, 'we command you to withdraw' (v. 6), he now addresses them with greater condescension and says, 'we entreat you in the Lord.' Yet through this the charge becomes still weightier and stricter." "That working quietly, they may eat their own bread." This means that they should not wander idly here and there, but sit at home. And while sitting at home, they should not fold their hands, but work. A modest, secluded, industrious life is commanded, in contrast to idle wandering and empty waste of time. "We command them not only to live in quietness, but also to work" (Oecumenius). "He requires two things of them: as disorderly people, that they be quiet; as idle people, that they work." Ησυχια, quietness, is opposed to noise, turbulence, fuss, and restless busyness. It is likewise opposed to instability and to a distracted, idle, wandering life. From this everyone may imagine the picture of family and domestic life which St. Paul gives as an example to believers. "That they may eat their own bread" means that they should not live in idleness or at another's expense. Rather, they should gain their support by their own hands. Or, even if they possess sufficient means, they should still labor, so as to eat bread earned by work, for it is sweeter and, one may say, more sacred. Here, of course, it is also understood that they should not live by alms or begging, but support themselves by their own labors when they have strength. Chrysostom presses especially upon these last people, for he writes: "Why did the Apostle not say, 'If they are not disorderly, let them be fed by your alms'? Why does he require both things, that they be modest and industrious? Because he wants them to support themselves by working. This is the meaning of the words, 'let them eat their own bread,' that is, bread from their own labors, not another's bread obtained by begging alms. He is speaking about those who, by their own choice, belong to the number of the needy. Indeed, why do you not work? God gave you hands not so that you might receive from others, but so that you yourself might give to others." Theophylact then sets forth his further thoughts more precisely: "Therefore one must have labor, working with one's own hands. One who has strength to work and gives himself to idleness should not even ask alms. You will say: I pray and fast. But this is not work of the hands. Even while doing this, you can have manual labor. If you neglect this, you are subject to judgment as a lover of idleness. They will say: why then is one who teaches not compelled to work? In Chrysostom, the Apostles and teachers of the Church are meant. He has a more important and more difficult work, which does not allow him to engage in manual labors. But on you, a private person, no such thing lies. Therefore you sin by neglecting labor."
THEOSIS