The doctrine "if a man will not work he shall not eat" is a quote from the Apostle Paul in 2 Thessalonians 3:10. It was not a universal law but a command to address a specific problem in the church at Thessalonica, where some members were choosing idleness because they believed Christ's return was imminent. Paul was instructing the church to not support those who were unwilling to work and were a burden to the community.