3:8a

nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it: The Greek word artos, which the Berean Standard Bible translates as food, literally means “bread.” However most English versions (except some of the older versions) agree that it means more than just bread here. There are two possibilities:

(1) It means any sort of food.

(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version (2011 Revision), NET Bible, God’s Word, New Jerusalem Bible, Contemporary English Version, New Living Translation (2004 Revision), New Century Version)

(2) The expression “to eat someone’s bread” is an idiom that means “to accept someone’s hospitality.” It therefore includes lodging as well as food.

(Good News Translation, Revised English Bible)

It is recommended that you follow the first option (1) in your translation.

without paying for it: Greek teachers often went from town to town receiving food and accepting a place to stay in return for their teaching. Paul was probably emphasizing that he and his companions were not like that. This does not mean that Paul and his companions never accepted an invitation as guests to a meal from time to time.

3:8b

Instead: In 3:7b–8a, Paul wrote what he and his companions did not do. In this part of the verse he wrote the positive, what they did do.

in labor and toil: The Greek words kopos and mochthos, which the Berean Standard Bible translates as labor and toil, are the same words that the Berean Standard Bible translated “labor” and “toil” in 1 Thessalonians 2:9a. The two words have similar meanings. Paul used this repetition to emphasize that they worked very hard. If you do not have two similar words you can use here, or if it would be unnatural for you to use such repetition, you could translate this as “laboring very diligently/hard.” The following expression “we worked night and day” also has a similar meaning, and you may have to combine all three into one expression. The second Meaning Line in the Display does this.

we worked night and day: The Greek verb form ergazomenoi, which the Berean Standard Bible translates as we worked, indicates an action that continues over a period of time. See the note on 1 Thessalonians 2:9b.

3:8c

so that we would not be a burden to any of you: The Greek word epibareō, which the Berean Standard Bible translates as be a burden, refers to not being a financial burden on the Thessalonians. Paul and his companions worked to support themselves so that they could buy their own food, rather than expecting anyone to provide it for them. This part of the verse is identical to 1 Thessalonians 2:9c in Greek.

In this part of the verse Paul used a negative expression to explain the purpose for which they worked so hard: so that we would not be a burden…. In 3:9b, he gave the positive purpose: “to offer ourselves as an example…”

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All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible. BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.