For we hear that there are some who walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.
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Cyril of Alexandria
AD 444
There are some other men going about, as they say, pretending only to devote themselves to prayer and doing no work, making piety a pretext for cowardice and a means of gaining a living, but not thinking rightly. Let them say that they are better even than the holy apostles who worked when opportunity gave them time for it, and they were exhausted for the word of God. How did they miss reading the holy Paul writing to certain people, “For I hear that some among you are living irregularly, doing no work but busy at meddling.” The church does not admit those who do this. It is necessary without doubt that those who live a quiet life in the monasteries pray continually. But it does no harm and rather is exceedingly helpful to work so that he who accepts the labors of others for his own need may not be found to be burdensome to others. It might be possible from his labors to relieve the widow and the orphan and some of the weak ones of his brothers.
This indeed he says here; but there, in the first Epistle, he says, that you may walk honestly towards them that are without. On what account? Perhaps there was as yet no such thing. For upon another occasion also admonishing, he says, It is more blessed to give than to receive. Acts 20:35 But the expression, walk honestly has no reference to disorder; wherefore he added, that you may have need of nothing. 1 Thessalonians 4:12 And here he sets down another necessity, for thus doing what was honorable and good towards all. (For as he proceeds, he says, be not weary in well doing.) For certainly he that is idle and yet able to work must needs be a busybody. But alms are given to those only who are not able to support themselves by the work of their own hands, or who teach, and are wholly occupied in the business of teaching. For you shall not muzzle the ox, he says, when he treads out the grain. Deuteronomy 25:4 And the laborer is worthy of his hire. 1 Timothy 5:18, and Luke 10:7 So that...
