II Thessalonians 3:15
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Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
admonish him as a brother--not yet excommunicated (compare Lev 19:17). Do not shun him in contemptuous silence, but tell him why he is so avoided (Mat 18:15; Th1 5:14).
Open source ↗In the close of the foregoing chapter, the apostle had prayed earnestly for the Thessalonians, and now he desires their prayers, encouraging them to trust in God, to which he subjoins another petition for them (Th2 3:1-5). He then proceeds to give them commands and directions for correcting some things he was informed were amiss among them (Th2 3:6-15) and concludes with benedictions and prayers (Th2 3:16-18).
Open source ↗3:15 Don’t think of them as enemies: In the ancient world, social relations with enemies were broken off and punitive action was initiated against them. Paul warns the Thessalonians that discipline against disobedient Christians (3:14) should not result in this kind of attack. Rather, the church should treat them as members of the family, with the hope that they would correct their conduct (1 Thes 5:12, 14).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Cross-references
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Reject a divisive man after a first and second admonition,
And we urge you, brothers, to admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, and be patient with everyone.
hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the Day of the Lord.
I am not writing this to shame you, but to warn you as my beloved children.
Brothers, if someone is caught in a trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him with a spirit of gentleness. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.
Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is a wise man’s rebuke to a listening ear.
Instruct a wise man, and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man, and he will increase his learning.
This is why I write these things while absent, so that when I am present I will not need to be severe in my use of the authority that the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down.
If your brother sins against you, go and confront him privately. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over.
For even if I boast somewhat excessively about the authority the Lord gave us for building you up rather than tearing you down, I will not be ashamed.