Seek to Restore the Disobedient

In 2 Thessalonians 3:14, Paul reinforces his command to avoid those believers who are deliberately disobedient to the Word of God (2 Thess. 3:6): "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." Here Paul restated the command (v. 14a), then went on to give the purpose for following this command: "that he may be ashamed" (v. 14b).

Anyone who "does not obey" the words "in this epistle" (v. 14a), does not obey the Word of God. You are to take "note" of that person and "not keep company with him" (v. 14b). "Note" (v. 14b) refers to a sign or token. It signifies to mark or to note for oneself. Here it is "an injunction to take cautionary note of one who refuses obedience" to the Word of God (Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, [MacDonald Publishing Company: McLean, Virginia], 798). "Keep company" (v. 14b), or "associate with" (NASB), is a strong double compound verb meaning "to mix up together with" (MacArthur’s New Testament Commentary: 1 & 2 Thessalonians, [Moody Publishers: Chicago], 309). You are not to "mix it up" with such persons. As John MacArthur says, "The church individually and collectively was to withdraw fellowship from such persons and avoid them. They were probably to be denied the privilege of taking communion. Surely they were not to be allowed to participate in the love feast, since feeding them a meal would condone and perpetuate their indolent behavior. The pressure of isolation was to be brought to bear on them to produce repentance" (Ibid).

Note the purpose: "that he may be ashamed" (v. 14c), or "so that he will be put to shame" (NASB). "Be put to shame" (v. 14c, NASB) literally means "to turn in on oneself" (Ibid). The idea is that the person being avoided would do some inner reflection, recognize his sin and disobedience to the Word, and repent. Such repentance would then lead to his restoration to complete fellowship. Such is always the intent of church discipline.

That is why Paul concludes with verse 15: "Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother." Paul is not talking of complete excommunication as in 1 Corinthians 5:9-11. There verse 11 says, "But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner—not even to eat with such a person. The offense here in 2 Thessalonians 3:14 does not rise to that level. The person avoided here is not to be treated as "an enemy" (v. 15a) who is cut off from all contact. Rather, he is still to be treated as a brother, and you are to admonish him as a brother to bring him to repentance. Galatians 6:1 puts it all in perspective—"Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted."

Remember verse 13 and you will do well in living up to these commands: "But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good." Whether it be helping those who are truly in need, or admonishing those who are unruly and disobedient to the Scriptures, always follow Christ in helping them. The end result will be a certain harmony and unity in the church. Amen.