Work is a blessing, not a curse. A spirit of indolence destroys godliness and grieves the Spirit of God. A stagnant pool is offensive, but a pure, flowing stream spreads health 353 and gladness over the land. Paul knew that those who neglect physical work soon become enfeebled. He desired to teach young ministers that by working with their hands, by bringing into exercise their muscles and sinews, they would become strong to endure the toils and privations that awaited them in the gospel field. And he realized that his own teachings would lack vitality and force if he did not keep all parts of the system properly exercised.

Arbejde er en velsignelse og ikke en forbandelse. En ladhedens ånd nedbryder gudsfrygten og bedrøver Guds Ånd. En stillestående dam er ubehagelig, men en ren, strømmende bæk spreder sundhed og glæde over landet. Paulus vidste, at de, som forsømmer legemligt arbejde, hurtigt svækkes. Han ønskede at lære unge forkyndere, at de ved at arbejde med deres hænder, ved at opøve deres muskler og sener, ville få kræfter til at tåle det slid og de savn, som ventede dem på missionsmarken. Og han forstod, at hans egen lære ville mangle kraft og styrke, hvis han ikke sørgede for, at alle legemets dele var i træning.