Lectionary Calendar
Thursday, November 28th, 2024
the Week of Christ the King / Proper 29 / Ordinary 34
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International Standard Version

2 Thessalonians 3:6

In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ we command you, brothers, to keep away from every brother who is living in idlenessis leading a disorderly life">[fn] and not livingliving">[fn] according to the tradition that they receivedyou received">[fn] from us.Romans 16:17; 1 Corinthians 5:11,13; 1 Thessalonians 4:11; 5:14; 2 Thessalonians 2:15; 16:14; 1 Timothy 6:5; 2 John 1:1:10;">[xr]

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Church;   Commandments;   Company;   Fellowship;   Tradition;   Scofield Reference Index - Separation;   Thompson Chain Reference - Association-Separation;   Evil;   Fellowship, Divine;   Separation;   World, the;   The Topic Concordance - Company;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Alliance and Society with the Enemies of God;   Conduct, Christian;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Excommunication;   Tradition;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Work;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Discipline;   Teach, Teacher;   Thessalonians, First and Second, Theology of;   Walk;   Wealth;   Work;   Charles Buck Theological Dictionary - Church;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Tradition;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Paul;   Thessalonians, the Epistles to the;   Tradition;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Imitate;   2 Thessalonians;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Betrayal;   Care, Careful;   Commandment;   Discipline;   Gospels (2);   Punishment;   Tares ;   Thessalonians Epistles to the;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Heathen;   Tradition,;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Tradition;   Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary - Church;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Bible, the;   Disorderly;   Paul, the Apostle;   Thessalonians, the Second Epistle of Paul to the;   Tradition;  

Parallel Translations

Easy-to-Read Version
Brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ we tell you to stay away from any believer who refuses to work. People who refuse to work are not following the teaching that we gave them.
Revised Standard Version
Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is living in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us.
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
We requyre you brethren in the name of oure lorde Iesu Christ yt ye with drawe youre selves from every brother that walketh inordinatly and not after the institucio which ye receaved of vs.
Hebrew Names Version
Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah, that you withdraw yourselves from every brother who walks in rebellion, and not after the tradition which they received from us.
New American Standard Bible
Now we command you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from every brother or sister who leads a disorderly life and not one in accordance with the tradition which you received from us.
New Century Version
Brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ we command you to stay away from any believer who refuses to work and does not follow the teaching we gave you.
Update Bible Version
Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw yourselves from every brother that walks disorderly, and not after the tradition which they received of us.
Webster's Bible Translation
Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received from us.
English Standard Version
Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us.
World English Bible
Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw yourselves from every brother who walks in rebellion, and not after the tradition which they received from us.
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received of us.
Weymouth's New Testament
But, by the authority of the Lord, we command you, brethren, to stand aloof from every brother whose life is disorderly and not in accordance with the teaching which all received from us.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
But, britheren, we denouncen to you in the name of oure Lord Jhesu Crist, that ye withdrawe you from ech brother that wandrith out of ordre, and not aftir the techyng, that thei resseyueden of vs.
English Revised Version
Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which they received of us.
Berean Standard Bible
Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from any brother who leads an undisciplined life that is not in keeping with the tradition you received from us.
Contemporary English Version
My dear friends, in the name of the Lord Jesus, I beg you not to have anything to do with any of your people who loaf around and refuse to obey the instructions we gave you.
Amplified Bible
Now we command you, believers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and by His authority, that you withdraw and keep away from every brother or sister who leads an undisciplined life and does not live in accordance with the tradition and teaching that you have received from us.
American Standard Version
Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which they received of us.
Bible in Basic English
Now we give you orders, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from all those whose behaviour is not well ordered and in harmony with the teaching which they had from us.
Complete Jewish Bible
Now, in the name of the Lord Yeshua the Messiah we command you, brothers, to stay away from any brother who is leading a life of idleness, a life not in keeping with the tradition you received from us.
Darby Translation
Now we enjoin you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw from every brother walking disorderly and not according to the instruction which he received from us.
Etheridge Translation
But we command you, my brethren, in the name of our Lord Jeshu Meshiha, that you remove from every brother who walketh wickedly, and not according to the precepts which he hath received from us.
Murdock Translation
And we enjoin upon you, my brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus the Messiah, that ye withdraw from every brother who walketh wickedly, and not according to the precepts which ye received from us.
King James Version (1611)
Now we command you, brethren, in the Name of our Lord Iesus Christ, that ye withdraw your selues from euery brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which hee receiued of vs.
New Living Translation
And now, dear brothers and sisters, we give you this command in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ: Stay away from all believers who live idle lives and don't follow the tradition they received from us.
New Life Bible
Now this is what we tell you to do, Christian brothers. In the name of the Lord Jesus, keep away from any Christian who is lazy and who does not do what we taught you.
New Revised Standard
Now we command you, beloved, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from believers who are living in idleness and not according to the tradition that they received from us.
Geneva Bible (1587)
We warne you, brethren, in the Name of our Lord Iesus Christ, that ye withdrawe your selues from euery brother that walketh inordinately, and not after the instruction, which hee receiued of vs.
George Lamsa Translation
Now we command you, my brethren, in the name of our LORD Jesus Christ, to shun every brother who leads an evil life, and not in accord with the commandments which he received from us.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Howbeit, we charge you, brethren, - that, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, ye be withdrawing yourselves from every brother - who, in a disorderly way, doth walk, and not according to the instruction which ye received from us.
Douay-Rheims Bible
And we charge you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw yourselves from every brother walking disorderly and not according to the tradition which they have received of us.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
We commaunde you brethren in the name of our Lorde Iesus Christe, that ye withdrawe your selues from euery brother that walketh inordinately, and not after the institution whiche he receaued of vs.
Good News Translation
Our friends, we command you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to keep away from all believers who are living a lazy life and who do not follow the instructions that we gave them.
Christian Standard Bible®
Now we command you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from every brother or sister who is idle and does not live according to the tradition received from us.
King James Version
Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.
Lexham English Bible
But we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from every brother who lives irresponsibly and not according to the tradition that they received from us.
Literal Translation
And we enjoin you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to draw yourselves back from every brother walking in a disorderly way, and not according to the teaching which you received from us.
Young's Literal Translation
And we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to withdraw yourselves from every brother disorderly walking, and not after the deliverance that ye received from us,
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
But we requyre you brethren, in the name of oure LORDE Iesus Christ, that ye withdrawe youre selues from euery brother that walketh inordinatly, and not after the institucion which he receaued of vs.
Mace New Testament (1729)
We direct you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to withdraw from all those of your brethren, whose conduct is irregular, and not agreeable to the instructions they received from us.
THE MESSAGE
Our orders—backed up by the Master, Jesus—are to refuse to have anything to do with those among you who are lazy and refuse to work the way we taught you. Don't permit them to freeload on the rest. We showed you how to pull your weight when we were with you, so get on with it. We didn't sit around on our hands expecting others to take care of us. In fact, we worked our fingers to the bone, up half the night moonlighting so you wouldn't be burdened with taking care of us. And it wasn't because we didn't have a right to your support; we did. We simply wanted to provide an example of diligence, hoping it would prove contagious.
New English Translation
But we command you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from any brother who lives an undisciplined life and not according to the tradition they received from us.
New King James Version
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 [fn] received from us.
Simplified Cowboy Version
We aren't asking, we are telling you to steer clear of every believer who is either lazy or causes problems. If they don't do the job we gave all of you, ride off and don't look back.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from every brother who leads an unruly life and not according to the tradition which you received from us.
Legacy Standard Bible
Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from every brother who walks in an unruly manner and not according to the tradition which they received from us.

Contextual Overview

6 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ we command you, brothers, to keep away from every brother who is living in idlenessis leading a disorderly life">[fn] and not livingliving">[fn] according to the tradition that they receivedyou received">[fn] from us.Romans 16:17; 1 Corinthians 5:11,13; 1 Thessalonians 4:11; 5:14; 2 Thessalonians 2:15; 16:14; 1 Timothy 6:5; 2 John 1:1:10;">[xr] 7 For you yourselves know what you must do to imitate us. We did not live in idlenessWe did not lead a disorderly life">[fn] among you.1 Corinthians 4:16; 11:1; 1 Thessalonians 1:6-7; 2:10;">[xr] 8 We did not eat anyone's food without paying for it. Instead, with toil and labor we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to any of you.Acts 18:3; 20:34; 2 Corinthians 11:9; 1 Thessalonians 2:9;">[xr] 9 It is not as though we did not have that right, but, we wantedwe wanted">[fn] to give you an example to follow.1 Corinthians 9:6; 1 Thessalonians 2:6; 2 Thessalonians 2:7;">[xr] 10 While we were with you, we gave this order: "If anyone doesn't want to work, he shouldn't eat."Genesis 3:19; 1 Thessalonians 4:11;">[xr] 11 We hear that some of you are living in idleness.living disorderly lives">[fn] You are not busy workingergazomenous (working)">[fn] - you are busy interferingperiergazomenous (uselessly working)">[fn] in other people's lives!1 Thessalonians 4:11; 2 Thessalonians 3:6; 1 Timothy 5:13; 1 Peter 4:15;">[xr] 12 We order and encourage such people by the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.Ephesians 4:28; 1 Thessalonians 4:11;">[xr] 13 Brothers, do not get tired of doing what is right.Galatians 6:9;">[xr] 14 If anyone does not obey what we sayour word">[fn] in this letter, take note of him. Have nothing to do with him so that he will feel ashamed.Matthew 18:17; 1 Corinthians 5:9,11; 2 Thessalonians 3:6;">[xr] 15 Yet, don't treat him like an enemy, but warninstruct">[fn] him like a brother.Leviticus 19:17; 1 Thessalonians 5:14; Titus 3:10;">[xr]

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

in the: 1 Corinthians 5:4, 2 Corinthians 2:10, Ephesians 4:17, Colossians 3:17, 1 Thessalonians 4:1, 1 Timothy 5:21, 1 Timothy 6:13, 1 Timothy 6:14, 2 Timothy 4:1

that ye: 2 Thessalonians 3:14, 2 Thessalonians 3:15, Matthew 18:17, Romans 16:17, 1 Corinthians 5:11-13, 1 Timothy 6:5, 2 Timothy 3:5, Hebrews 12:15, Hebrews 12:16, 3 John 1:10, 3 John 1:11

walketh: 2 Thessalonians 3:7, 2 Thessalonians 3:11, 1 Thessalonians 4:11, 1 Thessalonians 5:14

after: 2 Thessalonians 3:10, 2 Thessalonians 3:14, 2 Thessalonians 2:15

Reciprocal: Exodus 18:20 - work Leviticus 13:46 - without Numbers 5:3 - without Proverbs 31:27 - General Matthew 11:1 - commanding Matthew 28:20 - them Mark 7:5 - General Romans 12:11 - slothful 1 Corinthians 11:2 - keep 1 Corinthians 15:1 - which also 2 Corinthians 2:7 - ye Ephesians 4:28 - labour Ephesians 5:11 - no Philippians 4:9 - which 1 Thessalonians 4:2 - General 2 Thessalonians 3:4 - that 2 Thessalonians 3:12 - we 1 Timothy 5:13 - to be 2 Timothy 2:14 - charging Titus 3:10 - reject

Cross-References

Matthew 5:28
But I say to you, anyone who stares at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.Genesis 34:2; 2 Samuel 11:2; Job 1:31:1; Proverbs 6:25;">[xr]
1 Timothy 2:14
And it was not Adam who was deceived. It was the woman who was deceived and became a lawbreaker.Genesis 3:6; 2 Corinthians 11:3;">[xr]
1 John 2:16
For everything that is in the world - the desire for fleshly gratification,for the flesh">[fn] the desire for possessions,of the eyes">[fn] and worldly arrogance - is not from the Father but is from the world.Ecclesiastes 5:11;">[xr]

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Now we command you, brethren,.... The apostle is now come to the main thing itself he has in view in this part of the epistle, which is to encourage a regard to the discipline of God's house; and to exhort this church to excommunicate, or remove from communion, all disorderly persons; and those who are to do this he points out, and calls upon, and even commands; and these are the fraternity, the "brethren", the society of believers, all the members of the church; for to them to whom belongs the power of receiving members, to them only belongs the power of excluding offenders: the executive power lies in the hands of the elders or pastors of churches; they are the persons by whom the church receives or casts out members; but the power of judgment, or of determining who shall be received into, or who shall be removed from communion, lies in the church, and not in the pastors and elders only; whoever therefore take upon them to receive, or refuse, or cast out members of themselves, and at their own pleasure, act the part of Diotrephes, 3 John 1:9. The authority for removing disorderly persons from communion is an apostolical command, "we command you"; who are the apostles of Christ, immediately sent by him, who had their mission and commission from him, and which were confirmed by miracles; these had a greater power and authority than the ordinary ministers of the word; they were the ambassadors of Christ, stood in his stead, represented him, and acted in his name; what they said, he spake by them; and it was all one as if he had spoke it himself: and that this might appear not to be of them, but of him, it is added,

in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; that is, by his power and authority, if they had any regard to that, or to his honour and glory:

that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly; by a brother is meant, not one in a natural or civil sense, who is so by blood, or by neighbourhood, by being of the same country, or of the same human species, since all are of one blood; but one in an ecclesiastical sense, a church member, who is called a brother, though he may not be really a child of God, one of the brethren of Christ, or born of the Spirit; yet being a fellow citizen with the saints, and of the household of God externally, he bears this character; and such an one only is cognizable by a church, who have nothing to do to judge them that are without, only them that are within: and "every brother" in this sense falls under their notice; everyone that is a member, whether male or female, for this word includes both; and as the sisters, as well as the brethren, stand in the same relation, are in the same church state, partake of the same ordinances, and enjoy the same privileges, they are obliged to regard the same rules of the Gospel, and duties of religion, and, in case of disorder, to be withdrawn from: and this also regards every brother, of whatsoever state or condition, bond or free, high or low, rich or poor; no partiality is to be used, no preference to be given to one above the other; a poor member in a disorder is not to be bore hard upon, while a rich one is winked and connived at: and it also respects the brethren, whether private members, or officers of the church; for not only the former, but also the latter, when they walk disorderly, whether in the discharge of their office, or in any other part of their conduct, are liable to the notice and censure of the church: and which is only to be done when any of them "walk disorderly"; not for every disorder they are guilty of; there is no man lives without sin; and church members have their infirmities, and will have, as long as they are in the flesh, or in the body; and they are not to be made offenders for a word, or for a single disorder, or for the common infirmities of life; nor are the just to be set aside for a thing of nought, or a small offence, and that not continued in: it is one thing to be guilty of a disorder, and another thing to walk disorderly; which denotes a way, a course, a series of disorder, and proceeding on in it, a going from evil to evil, an increasing to more ungodliness; for walking is a progressive action, and disorderly persons do not stop, but grow worse and worse; for they take pleasure in their disorders; they choose their own ways, and delight in their abominations; the paths of sin are pleasant paths to them: and they are disorderly walkers, who pertinaciously and stubbornly continue in their disorders, notwithstanding the admonitions of private persons, and of the whole church; and of this sort there are such that walk disorderly in the world, in the commission of notorious and scandalous sins, such as uncleanness, intemperance, covetousness, c. and that walk disorderly in families as husbands that are not affectionate to their wives, and provide not for their household; and wives that are not in subjection to their husbands; parents that provoke their children to wrath; and children that are disobedient to their parents; masters who give not that which is fit and equal to their servants; and servants that despise their masters because they are brethren, when they should serve them the more cheerfully, because faithful and beloved: and also that walk disorderly in churches, that fill not up their places, but neglect attendance with the church, on the word and ordinances; and who are contentious and quarrelsome, and will not submit to the sentiments of those who are superior to them in number and sense; and likewise such who entertain bad notions and principles, derogatory to the grace of God, the person and offices of Christ, and the operations of the Spirit; who walk, not in the truth, nor according to the standard of the word of God; and especially such are designed here, who are busy bodies, and idle persons, who work not at all, but live at the tables, and upon the substance of others, as appears from 2 Thessalonians 3:11. These act contrary to the order and decorum of nations, towns, and families, and to that which God has fixed among mankind; and to the example of God, and Christ as God, who work hither to and jointly together in Providence, and in the government of the world; and to the example which Christ, as man, has set, and to the example of the apostles, and to their commands: wherefore it follows,

and not after the tradition which he received of us; meaning either the Gospel of Christ, which being, preached was received, but the walk and conversation of some was not agreeably to it; or the ordinances of the Gospel, and the precepts of religion which the apostles delivered, and were received, and yet due attendance to them was not given; 2 Thessalonians 3:11- :, or rather that particular injunction concerning quietness, and doing their own business, and working with their own hands, 1 Thessalonians 4:11. The Vulgate Latin version reads, "which they received of us": the sense is the same; and the Ethiopic version, "and not according to the constitution we appointed them". Now what is commanded to be done to such disorderly persons, by the church, even the whole fraternity, is to "withdraw" themselves from them; by which is meant, not only to distinguish themselves from them by an orderly and regular conversation, and a strict observance of Gospel discipline, which to do is very right; nor barely to curb and restrain the affections towards such persons, lest by carrying it as heretofore, in a kind, tender, and affectionate manner, they should take encouragement from hence to continue in their disorders, as tender parents keep in their affections, and from showing them to their children, when in disorder, and under their corrections, that they might not seem to countenance them in that which is evil, though this is also very proper; nor also merely to contract or shut up the hand to such persons, and refuse to distribute to then, living such an idle life, and in such a disorderly way, though this is what ought to be done; nor does this phrase only intend a forbidding such persons their houses and their tables, not suffering them to sit at the one, nor even to come into the other, not allowing any company and conversation with them, that they may have no opportunity of indulging their laziness and tale bearing, though so to serve them is highly just and reasonable; nor does it design only a suspension, or a debarring of them from the Lord's table, which ought not to be done to any persons, while they continue in relation to the church, and members of it; but a removal of them from church communion, or an excommunication of them; which is sometimes expressed by rejecting persons, casting them out of the church, and putting them away, and here by withdrawing from them; which are all synonymous phrases, and intend exclusion from the communion of the church. And so the Ethiopic version here renders it, "that ye remove every brother", c. From this passage we learn who they are that are to be excommunicated or removed from the communion of churches, all disorderly walkers what the act of excommunication is, it is a withdrawing from them, a separating them from the church, and its communion; and who they are that have the power to do it, the whole fraternity or body of the church; and also the authority for it, an apostolical command, in the name of Christ.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Now we command you, brethren - The apostle now 2 Thessalonians 3:6-12 turns to an important subject - the proper method of treating those who were idle and disorderly in the church. In the previous Epistle he had adverted to this subject, but in the mild language of exhortation. When he wrote that Epistle he was aware that there were some among them who were disposed to be idle, and he had tenderly exhorted them “to be quiet, and to mind their own business, and to work with their own hands;” 1 Thessalonians 4:11. But it seems the exhortation, and the example of Paul himself when there 1 Thessalonians 2:9, had not been effectual in inducing them to be industrious. It became, therefore, necessary to use the strong language of command, as he does here, and to require that if they would not work, the church should withdraw from them. What was the original cause of their idleness, is not known. There seems no reason, however, to doubt that it was much increased by their expectation that the Saviour would soon appear, and that the world would soon come to an end. If this was to be so, of what use would it be to labor? Why strive to accumulate property with reference to the wants of a family, or to a day of sickness, or old age? Why should a man build a house that was soon to be burnt up, or why buy a farm which he was soon to leave? The effect of the expectation of the speedy appearing of the Lord Jesus has always been to induce men to neglect their worldly affairs, and to lead idle lives. Man, naturally disposed to be idle, wants the stimulus of hope that he is laboring for the future welfare of himself, for his family, or for society, nor will he labor if he believes that the Saviour is about to appear.

In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ - see the notes on 1 Corinthians 5:4. “That ye withdraw yourselves;” see the notes on 1 Timothy 6:5. This is the true notion of Christian discipline. It is not primarily that of cutting a man off, or denouncing him, or excommunicating him; it is that of withdrawing from him. We cease to have fellowship with him. We do not regard him any longer as a Christian brother. We separate from him. We do not seek to affect him in any other respect; we do not injure his name or standing as a man, or hold him up to reprobation; we do not follow him with denunciation or a spirit of revenge; we simply cease to recognise him as a Christian brother, when he shows that he is no longer worthy to be regarded as such. We do not deliver him over to the civil arm; we do not inflict any positive punishment on him; we leave him unmolested in all his rights as a citizen, a man, a neighbor, a husband, a father, and simply say that he is no longer one of us as a Christian. How different is this from excommunication, as it has been commonly understood! How different from the anathemas fulminated by the papacy, and the delivering of the heretic over to the civil power!

From every brother that walketh disorderly - compare the notes, 1 Corinthians 5:11-13. A “disorderly walk” denotes conduct that is in any way contrary to the rules of Christ. The proper idea of the word used here (ἀτάκτως ataktōs), is that of soldiers who do not keep the ranks; who are regardless of order; and then who are irregular in any way. The word would include any violation of the rules of Christ on any subject.

And not after the tradition which ye received of us - According to the doctrine which we delivered to you; see the notes on 2 Thessalonians 2:15. This shows that by the word “tradition” the apostle did not mean unwritten doctrines handed down from one to another, for he evidently alludes to what he had himself taught them, and his direction is not that that should be handed down by them, but that they should obey it.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 6. That ye withdraw yourselves — Have no fellowship with those who will not submit to proper discipline; who do not keep their place; ατακτως, such as are out of their rank, and act according to their own wills and caprices; and particularly such as are idle and busybodies. These he had ordered, 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12, that they should study to be quiet, mind their own business, and work with their hands; but it appears that they had paid no attention to this order, and now he desires the Church to exclude such from their communion.

And not after the tradition — This evidently refers to the orders contained in the first epistle; and that first epistle was the tradition which they had received from him. It was, therefore, no unwritten word, no uncertain saying, handed about from one to another; but a part of the revelation which God had given, and which they found in the body of his epistle. These are the only traditions which the Church of God is called to regard.


 
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