2 Thessalonians 3:6-18 (NKJV) But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us. 7 For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you; 8 nor did we eat anyone’s bread free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, 9 not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us.
10 For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. 11 For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. 12 Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread.
13 But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good. 14 And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed. 15 Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.
Benediction
16 Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all.
17 The salutation of Paul with my own hand, which is a sign in every epistle; so I write.
18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
V6 “But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us.” Paul now writes the practical part of his letter as he usually does. Some in the church are disorderly and not following the traditions we taught. The Greek word for “disorderly” is (G0814) ἀτάκτως ataktōs, which means out of order and “deviating from the prescribed order or rule” (Olive Tree Enhanced Strong’s Dictionary).
Evidently, some, perhaps thinking that the Lord Jesus was coming any day, quit working. Why work, if Jesus comes tomorrow? Paul wants them to know that this is not God’s way of life. Paul had taught the “tradition” which is the manner of life that God wants from us. It is a kingdom law.
Some things to withdraw from and apply church discipline:
Barbara Roberts writes:
There are six sins for which a professing believer should be promptly expelled from the church and treated as an unbeliever.
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- sexual immorality
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- greed — covetousness
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- idolatry — elevating something other than God to the place that only God should occupy
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- verbal abuse — assailing with scornful language, slander, reviling
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- drunkenness — by extension this includes any kind of drug abuse
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- swindling — robbing, extortion, destructive ferocity, ravening, predating, raping, plundering, subsisting on live prey
She quotes 1 Corinthians 5:11-13.
V7 “For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you…” Paul uses himself and his team of examples of working telling them that they worked as bivocational missionaries.
V8 “…nor did we eat anyone’s bread free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you…” Not only did they work, but they worked consistently to provide for their needs. Reason? They did not want to burden the believers and to give them an example.
V9 “…not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us.” Paul tells them that the team has the authority not to be bivocational, but they chose to work as an example. Something we should all remind ourselves. Some benefits of working/labor: 1) we were created to work (Genesis 1:26, Genesis 2:8, Genesis 2:19), 2) to have food (Proverbs 21:25, Proverbs 28:19, and 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12), 3) to meet the needs of self and family (1 Timothy 5:8), 4) to help those who have needs they cannot supply (Ezekiel 16:49, Romans 12:13), 5) to assist those who serve the Lord full-time (Deuteronomy 18:1, 1 Corinthians 9:13-14, Galatians 6:6), 6). to enjoy God’s blessings (Ecclesiastes 3:13, 7) to acknowledge God’s goodness (1 Corinthians 10:31), 8) to give thanks to God (Matthew 15:36), 9) to teach children many lessons (Deuteronomy 6:7), 10) to enjoy rest (Exodus 23:12), 11) to provide satisfaction (Ruth 2:7), 12) to learn dependance on God for success (Psalm 90:17), 13) to learn wisdom, experience, perseverance, patience, etc. (Proverbs 14:23, Deuteronomy 6:7, 13, Ephesians 6:4, James 1:2-4, James 1:12, and James 5:7), 14) to learn discipline (Proverbs 29:17), 15) to glorify God (John 17:4).
V10 “For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.” The principle taught here is no work, no eat. Working is good for people in many ways especially for the Christian for it provides our needs and some left over for others who are needy (sick, etc.), allows us to show our faith as well as taught about it, and stops our being idle, which might lead into evil thoughts and activity.
V11 “For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies.” People are reporting to Paul that some are not working. The idle time they have has led to evil thoughts and activity. They are spending their time gossiping and watching everyone else work, thus, being pests.
V12 “Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread.” The command is, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, that they start working. There is a time to warn others even if they do not like it or want to hear it. Two principles: 1) work in quietness and 2) eat their own food. The Greek word for “quietness” is (G2271) ἡσυχία hēsuchía which means tranquility and “descriptive of the life of one who stays at home doing his own work, and does not officiously meddle with the affairs of others“ (Thayer).
V13 “But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good.” We might grow weary from the persecutions, afflictions, and living a Christian life that is not always appreciated. 1 Peter 4:4-5 (WEB) “They think it is strange that you don’t run with them into the same excess of riot, blaspheming: 5 who will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.” There may seem to be no results and no benefit, but we are sowing seed that the Holy Spirit can use in another’s life sometime, somewhere.
V14 “And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed. “ This is church discipline. It is a simple ban and shun for the purpose of shaming an errant brother or sister. The purpose of discipline is to teach, correct, and even save their life. God teaches us continually.
V15 “Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.” This is a strong warning not to carry that order out so as to destroy someone’s faith. He/she is not an enemy. Discipline is not for revenge but to change attitude and behavior. See Psalm 94:12, Psalm 107:17-19, and Hebrews 12:5-6.
V16 “Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all.” Paul prays for God’s peace to be upon them and to be with them in everything and every time (which He is). Peace is primarily spiritual peace but also peace within persons, families, societies, etc. Compare Luke 1:79, Romans 14:17, and Matthew 11:28-30.
V17 “The salutation of Paul with my own hand, which is a sign in every epistle; so I write.” So people will know the genuine signature from any forged ones.
V18 “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.” The usual final greeting for the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ to be with them. This is God’s assisting grace to help us every day.