II Thessalonians 3:6

we command you--Hereby he puts to a particular test their obedience in general to his commands, which obedience he had recognized in Th2 3:4. withdraw--literally, "to furl the sails"; as we say, to steer clear of (compare Th2 3:14). Some had given up labor as though the Lord's day was immediately coming. He had enjoined mild censure of such in Th1 5:14, "Warn . . . the unruly"; but now that the mischief had become more confirmed, he enjoins stricter discipline, namely, withdrawal from their company (compare Co1 5:11; Jo2 1:10-11): not a formal sentence of excommunication, such as was subsequently passed on more heinous offenders (as in Co1 5:5; Ti1 1:20). He says "brother," that is, professing Christian; for in the case of unprofessing heathen, believers needed not be so strict (Co1 5:10-13). disorderly--Paul plainly would not have sanctioned the order of Mendicant Friars, who reduce such a "disorderly" and lazy life to a system. Call it not an order, but a burden to the community (BENGEL, alluding to the Greek, Th2 3:8, for "be chargeable," literally, "be a burden"). the tradition--the oral instruction which he had given to them when present (Th2 3:10), and subsequently committed to writing (Th1 4:11-12). which he received of us--Some oldest manuscripts read, "ye received"; others, "they received." The English Version reading has no very old authority.

The apostle having commended their obedience for the time past, and mentioned his confidence in their obedience for the time to come, proceeds to give them commands and directions to some who were faulty, correcting some things that were amiss among them. Observe, The best society of Christians may have some faulty persons among them, and some things that ought to be reformed. Perfection is not to be found on this side heaven: but evil manners beget good laws; the disorders that Paul heard of as existing among the Thessalonians occasioned the good laws we find in these verses, which are of constant use to us, and all others whom they may concern. Observe, I. That which was amiss among the Thessalonians, which is expressed, 1. More generally. There were some who walked disorderly, not after the tradition they received from the apostle, Th2 3:6. Some of the brethren were guilty of this disorderly walking; they did not live regularly, nor govern themselves according to the rules of Christianity, nor agreeably to their profession of religion; not according to the precepts delivered by the apostle, which they had received, and pretended to pay a regard to. Note, It is required of those who have received the gospel, and who profess a subjection to it, that they live according to the gospel. If they do not, they are to be counted disorderly persons. 2. In particular, there were among them some idle persons and busy-bodies, Th2 3:11. This the apostle was so credibly informed of that he had sufficient reason to give commands and directions with relation to such persons, how they ought to behave, and how the church should act towards them. (1.) There were some among them who were idle, not working at all, or doing nothing. It does not appear that they were gluttons or drunkards,…

3:6-15 In his previous letter, Paul had addressed the problem of lazy members of the church who refused to work (1 Thes 4:11-12; 5:14). Some had ignored his message and example, so he gives additional instruction for dealing with these members. 3:6 Paul’s command is given by the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thes 4:2). • Church members should shun Christians who live idle lives (see 2 Thes 3:7, 11-13; 1 Thes 5:14). To stay away from the lazy would make a strong impression on them (Matt 18:17; Rom 16:17; 1 Cor 5:9-13), promoting shame (2 Thes 3:14) and repentance, but stopping short of excommunication (3:15).