For you know how you ought to imitate us. For we didn't behave ourselves rebelliously among you,
They know that Paul made tents—hard labor in his day—to earn his way so that he might not be chargeable to anyone. It is true that later in his ministry he accepted gifts from those to whom he preached, but in these first churches he refused to accept anything from the believers. He labored with his own hands. He reminds them his conduct was not disorderly among them, and they should imitate him in their daily walk and activities with unbelievers.