2 Thessalonians 3:6 Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ… This is one of the leading objects of this Epistle. I. THE NATURE OF THE OFFENCE REBUKED BY THE APOSTLE. "Withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition they received from us." 1. It was a habit of idleness caused by the unsettling tendency of the belief that the day of the Lord's coming was near at hand to wind up all human affairs. They were, therefore, "working not at all," allowing themselves to be ignobly dependent either upon richer brethren or upon ecclesiastical funds. 2. Linked with this idle habit was the disposition to be "busybodies - concerning themselves with matters that did not belong to them. Bishops in other men's dioceses," as the figure of the apostle elsewhere describes the same class (1 Peter 4:15); like the younger widows who "were wandering about from house to house, and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies" (1 Timothy 5:13). This unworthy habit of life was a serious annoyance and interruption to neighbours, as well as an unwarranted tax upon the generosity of their rich patrons. 3. It was an aggravation of the offence that the offenders were not only "brethren," but were living in deliberate disregard of the apostle's oral instructions during his first visit to Thessalonica. "For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither let him eat." Thus they showed a reckless defiance of apostolic counsel. This was surely to "break rank," as the word "disorder" suggests. II. THE APOSTLE'S COMMAND TO THE CHURCH RESPECTING THESE OFFENDERS. 1. The time was past for mere requests or exhortations. He had addressed them in this milder tone in the First Epistle: "We beseech you that ye study to be quiet, and do your own business" (1 Thessalonians 4:11). But his request had been disregarded. 2. The command he now addresses to them was backed by Divine authority. "We command you in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ." (1) Because he is the Source of all authority in the Church; (2) because the conduct of the Thessalonian busybodies was a dishonour to the Lord who bought them; (3) because it was a command to which obedience could be secured so long as the Christians "directed their hearts into the love of God, and the patience of Christ." 3. It was a command to the body of the Church to "withdraw themselves from the disorderly brethren. (1) It was no command to excommunicate them. It was no case of expulsion or exclusion from Church fellowship, but (2) what may be called social excommunication. The brethren were to avoid all unnecessary intercourse with them, perhaps the richer members to encourage them no longer in their indolent and restless fanaticism by their ill-placed generosity, and thus bring them to a sense of shame and repentance for their laziness and talebearing. - T.C. Parallel Verses KJV: Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us. |
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