Homiletic Monthly 2 Thessalonians 3:14-15 And if any man obey not our word by this letter, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.… No Christian duty more delicate and difficult than that we owe to the unbelieving, the disobedient, the erring, even for the haters and despisers of Christ and His Church. 1. "Note this man." There should be a full realization of his error; no ignoring of it, or acquiescence in it; no belittling of it. 2. We are to note all such, separate ourselves from them, have no fellowship with them. And this implies — (1) A defence of the truth, a vindication of the right. (2) A bearing open, faithful witness for Christ, for the Church, etc. 3. But we are not to cast them off — abandon them as hopeless reprobates — withdraw sympathy, anxiety, prayer, effort in their behalf. "Count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother." Kindness, gentle entreaty, Christian endeavour, persisted in, may finally make him "ashamed," and win him over. Oh, had heretics, schismatics, apostates, erring brethren of every kind, been always dealt with in this Christian way, how different had been the result! It is not too late to begin. (Homiletic Monthly.) Parallel Verses KJV: And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. |
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