2 Thessalonians 3:6

Discipline for the Disorderly

Paul wrote this letter with the authority that belonged to an apostle of Jesus Christ (Galatians 1:1; 11-12; Matthew 16:19). In fact, he carefully noted that he spoke by Christ's authority. The Lord's command as issued by Paul was that they not have fellowship with those who he was about to mention. This does not forbid all contact, as we shall see later, but the social contact that would make it appear that one saw nothing wrong with the actions of such brethren (compare Matthew 18:15-17; Romans 16:17-18; 1 Corinthians 5:1-13).

In the first Thessalonian letter, Paul had commanded the brethren to work with their own hands (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12). Those who refused to follow that command, or any other oral instruction passed on to them by God's spokesmen, were not walking according to rule and, according to Paul, should be withdrawn from. Remember, unruly soldiers fall out of step thus becoming disorderly or lazy (1 Thessalonians 5:14). Paul had already urged such brethren to join ranks with the other members lest they run into many dangers (2 Thessalonians 3:6).