◄ 2 Thessalonians 3:6 ►
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.
Study Bible
Now we command you, brothers,

Paul gives a binding instruction to fellow believers, joining apostolic authority with the family bond shared by all who belong to Christ. The church bears mutual responsibility for the spiritual welfare and faithful conduct of its members.

1Th 4:1-2 Finally, brothers, we ask and encourage you…
1Co 14:37 If anyone considers himself a prophet or spiritual person,…

in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

The command rests on Christ’s authority rather than Paul’s personal preference. Jesus is Lord over His church, and obedience to apostolic teaching expresses submission to Him.

1Co 5:4 When you are assembled in the name of our Lord Jesus…
Col 3:17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do it all…
Act 4:10 let this be known to all of you and to all the people…

to keep away from any brother

Believers were to withdraw ordinary fellowship from a professing Christian who stubbornly rejected the instruction received from the apostles. Such separation was corrective rather than hostile, intended to awaken repentance while guarding the congregation from accepting rebellion as normal.

1Co 5:11 But now I am writing you not to associate with anyone…
2Ti 3:5 having a form of godliness but denying its power.…
Tit 3:10 Reject a divisive man after a first and second admonition,

who leads an undisciplined life

The immediate concern was idleness and disorderly conduct. Some in Thessalonica had apparently stopped working, perhaps misusing expectations about Christ’s return, and had become dependent on others. Christian hope does not excuse neglect of daily responsibilities; it produces steadfast, faithful living while believers await the Lord.

1Th 5:14 And we urge you, brothers, to admonish the unruly…
1Th 4:11-12 and to aspire to live quietly, to attend to your own matters…
1Ti 5:13 At the same time they will also learn to be idle…

that is not in keeping with the tradition you received from us.

The tradition included the apostolic teaching and example Paul had delivered in person and by letter. The Thessalonians had been taught to live quietly, work with their hands, and conduct themselves honorably before outsiders. Faithfulness required holding to that received instruction rather than following practices that contradicted the gospel’s transforming power.

2Th 2:15 Therefore, brothers, stand firm and cling to the traditions…
1Co 11:2 Now I commend you for remembering me in everything…
Php 4:9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Paul
The apostle who authored the letter to the Thessalonians, providing guidance and instruction to the early church.

2. Thessalonian Church
The recipients of the letter, a community of believers in Thessalonica facing challenges related to discipline and order.

3. Undisciplined Brothers
Members of the Thessalonian church who were living in a disorderly manner, not adhering to the teachings and traditions passed down by Paul and his companions.

4. Lord Jesus Christ
The authority in whose name Paul issues the command, emphasizing the seriousness and divine backing of the instruction.

5. Tradition
The teachings and practices handed down by Paul and the apostles, which the Thessalonians were expected to follow.
Teaching Points
Authority of Christ
Recognize that the command to avoid undisciplined believers is given in the name of Jesus, underscoring its importance and divine authority.

Importance of Tradition
Understand the value of apostolic tradition and teaching as a guide for Christian living and community order.

Community Responsibility
Acknowledge the role of the church community in maintaining discipline and encouraging one another to live according to biblical standards.

Discernment in Relationships
Exercise discernment in choosing close associations, ensuring they align with Christian values and teachings.

Balance of Discipline and Restoration
While maintaining discipline, also seek opportunities for restoration and reconciliation with those who repent and return to the faith.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the authority of Jesus Christ influence the way we approach church discipline today?

2. In what ways can we ensure that we are living according to the traditions and teachings of the apostles in our modern context?

3. How can we balance the need for discipline with the call to restore and forgive those who have strayed from the faith?

4. What practical steps can we take to distance ourselves from undisciplined influences while still showing love and grace?

5. How do other scriptures, such as Matthew 18:15-17 and Galatians 6:1, inform our understanding of handling undisciplined behavior within the church?
Connections to Other Scriptures
1 Corinthians 5:11
Paul advises the Corinthian church to avoid associating with believers who are living in sin, similar to the instruction given in 2 Thessalonians 3:6.

Matthew 18:15-17
Jesus outlines the process of church discipline, which includes distancing oneself from unrepentant members, aligning with Paul's directive.

1 Timothy 6:3-5
Paul warns against those who teach false doctrines and do not adhere to the sound instruction of Jesus Christ, paralleling the need to avoid undisciplined individuals.

Proverbs 13:20
The wisdom literature emphasizes the importance of choosing one's companions wisely, as bad company corrupts good character.

Galatians 6:1
Paul encourages believers to restore those caught in sin gently, highlighting the balance between discipline and restoration.
Sermons
Apostolic AuthorityA. Barnes, D. D.2 Thessalonians 3:6
Coming Clear Out2 Thessalonians 3:6
The Apostle's Method of Dealing with the Idle Busybodies of the Thessalonian ChurchT. Croskery 2 Thessalonians 3:6
Withdrawal from Such as Walk DisorderlyE. Hopkins, D. D.2 Thessalonians 3:6
Withdrawal from the DisorderlyCanon Mason.2 Thessalonians 3:6
Withdrawal from the DisorderlyJ. Hutchison, D. D.2 Thessalonians 3:6
Duty of Withdrawing from a Disorderly BrotherR. Finlayson 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15
The Importance of the Common Duties of Daily Life ShownB.C. Caffin 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15
People
Paul, Thessalonians
Places
Thessalonica
Topics
Accord, Accordance, Aloof, Authority, Behaviour, Brethren, Brother, Brothers, Christ, Command, Deliverance, Disorderly, Enjoin, Harmony, Idle, Idleness, Instruction, Leads, Ordered, Orders, Rebellion, Received, Stand, Teaching, Tradition, Unruly, Walketh, Walking, Walks, Withdraw, Yourselves
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Thessalonians 3:6

     5539   sluggard
     5588   traditions
     7025   church, unity
     8282   intolerance
     8341   separation
     8405   commands, in NT
     8737   evil, responses to

2 Thessalonians 3:6-9

     5109   Paul, apostle

2 Thessalonians 3:6-15

     5343   idleness

Library
The Lord of Peace and the Peace of the Lord
'Now the Lord of Peace Himself give you peace always, by all means. The Lord be with you all.'--2 THESS. iii. 16. We have reached here the last of the brief outbursts of prayer which characterise this letter, and bear witness to the Apostle's affection for his Thessalonian converts. It is the deepening of the ordinary Jewish formula of meeting and parting. We find that, in most of his letters, the Apostle begins with wishing 'grace and peace,' and closes with an echo of the wish. 'Peace be unto …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Love and Peace.
"The Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patience of Christ."--2 THESS. iii. 5, R.V. "The Lord of peace Himself give you peace always by all means."--2 THESS. iii. 16. It is striking to note the number of prayers in these two short Epistles to Thessalonica. They are probably the earliest of the Apostle's writings, and the frequency of his prayers is a significant testimony to his thought for his converts and their needs. Hardly less striking is the variety of the prayers, …
W. H. Griffith Thomas—The Prayers of St. Paul

The Waiting Christ.
WAITING for the coming of the Lord is one of the blessed characteristics of true Christianity. In the parable of the ten virgins the three great marks of a true believer are stated by our Lord. These are: Separation, indicated by the virgins having gone forth. Manifestation, they had lamps, which are for the giving of light, and Expectation, they went forth to meet the Bridegroom. With five of them it was only an outward profession. The foolish virgins are the type of such who are Christians …
Arno Gaebelein—The Lord of Glory

The Patience of Christ.
"BUT the Lord direct your hearts into the Love of God and into the Patience of Christ" (2 Thess. iii:5). With these words Paul exhorted the Thessalonian believers. They had many trials and difficulties. They suffered persecutions and were troubled. False alarms had affected their patience of hope in the Lord Jesus Christ. The inspired exhortation puts before their hearts the Patience of Christ. Comfort and joy, encouragement and peace, would surely come to their hearts and strengthen them, if they …
Arno Gaebelein—The Lord of Glory

Thy Bidding, Holy Brother Aurelius, it was Meet that I Should Comply Withal...
1. Thy bidding, holy brother Aurelius, it was meet that I should comply withal, with so much the more devotion, by how much the more it became clear unto me Who, out of thee, did speak that bidding. For our Lord Jesus Christ, dwelling in thine inner part, and inspiring into thee a solicitude of fatherly and brotherly charity, whether our sons and brothers the monks, who neglect to obey blessed Paul the Apostle, when he saith, "If any will not work, neither let him eat," [2476] are to have that license …
St. Augustine—Of the Work of Monks.

These Things, My Brother Aurelius, Most Dear unto Me...
38. These things, my brother Aurelius, most dear unto me, and in the bowels of Christ to be venerated, so far as He hath bestowed on me the ability Who through thee commanded me to do it, touching work of Monks, I have not delayed to write; making this my chief care, lest good brethren obeying apostolic precepts, should by lazy and disobedient be called even prevaricators from the Gospel: that they which work not, may at the least account them which do work to be better than themselves without doubt. …
St. Augustine—Of the Work of Monks.

But when He Might Use to Work, that Is...
15. But when he might use to work, that is, in what spaces of time, that he might not be hindered from preaching the Gospel, who can make out? Though, truly, that he wrought at hours of both day and night himself hath not left untold. [2518] Yet these men truly, who as though very full of business and occupation inquire about the time of working, what do they? Have they from Jerusalem round about even to Illyricum filled the lands with the Gospel? [2519] or whatever of barbarian nations hath remained …
St. Augustine—Of the Work of Monks.

For He Himself Also, with an Eye to the Like Necessities of Saints...
16. For he himself also, with an eye to the like necessities of saints, who, although they obey his precepts, "that with silence they work and eat their own bread," may yet from many causes stand in need of somewhat by way of supplement to the like sustenance, therefore, after he had thus said, teaching and premonishing, "Now them which are such we command and beseech in our Lord Jesus Christ, that with silence they work and eat their own bread;" [2521] yet, lest they which had whereof they might …
St. Augustine—Of the Work of Monks.

First Then we Ought to Demonstrate that the Blessed Apostle Paul Willed the Servants...
4. First then we ought to demonstrate that the blessed Apostle Paul willed the servants of God to work corporal works which should have as their end a great spiritual reward, for this purpose that they should need food and clothing of no man, but with their own hands should procure these for themselves: then, to show that those evangelical precepts from which some cherish not only their sloth but even arrogance, are not contrary to the Apostolical precept and example. Let us see then whence the Apostle …
St. Augustine—Of the Work of Monks.

Ascetic.
(i) Of the works comprised under this head, the first are the three compositions entitled Tractatus Prævii. The first, Prævia Institutio ascetica ('Asketike prodiatuposis ), is an exhortation to enlistment in the sacred warfare; the second, on renunciation of the world and spiritual perfection, is the Sermo asceticus (logos asketikos). The third, Sermo de ascetica disciplina (logos peri askeseos, pos dei kosmheisthai ton monachon), treats of the virtues to be exhibited in the life …
Basil—Basil: Letters and Select Works

But He Speaks More Openly in the Rest which He Subjoins...
9. But he speaks more openly in the rest which he subjoins, and altogether removes all causes of doubting. "If we unto you," saith he, "have sown spiritual things, is it a great matter if we shall reap your carnal things?" What are the spiritual things which he sowed, but the word and mystery of the sacrament of the kingdom of heaven? And what the carnal things which he saith he had a right to reap, but these temporal things which are indulged to the life and indigency of the flesh? These however …
St. Augustine—Of the Work of Monks.

Fifteenth Lesson. If Two Agree
If two agree;' Or, The Power of United Prayer Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my Name, there am I in the midst of them.--Matt. xviii. 19, 20. ONE of the first lessons of our Lord in His school of prayer was: Not to be seen of men. Enter thy inner chamber; be alone with the Father. When He has thus taught us that the …
Andrew Murray—With Christ in the School of Prayer

There Also is Said at what Work the Apostle Wrought. ...
22. There also is said at what work the Apostle wrought. "After these things," it says, "he departed from Athens and came to Corinth; and having found a certain Jew, by name Aquila, of Pontus by birth, lately come from Italy, and Priscilla his wife, because that Claudius had ordered all Jews to depart from Rome, he came unto them, and because he was of the same craft he abode with them, doing work: for they were tent-makers." [2549] This if they shall essay to interpret allegorically, they show what …
St. Augustine—Of the Work of Monks.

Paul a Pattern of Prayer
"Go and inquire for one called Saul of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth."--ACTS ix. 11. "For this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all long-suffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on Him to life everlasting."--1 TIM. i. 16. God took His own Son, and made Him our Example and our Pattern. It sometimes is as if the power of Christ's example is lost in the thought that He, in whom is no sin, is not man as we are. Our Lord took Paul, a man …
Andrew Murray—The Ministry of Intercession

Secondly, for Thy Words.
1. Remember, that thou must answer for every idle word, that in multiloquy, the wisest man shall overshoot himself. Avoid, therefore, all tedious and idle talk, from which seldom arises comfort, many times repentance: especially beware of rash answers, when the tongue outruns the mind. The word was thine whilst thou didst keep it in; it is another's as soon as it is out. O the shame, when a man's own tongue shall be produced a witness, to the confusion of his own face! Let, then, thy words be few, …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

We are not Binding Heavy Burdens and Laying them Upon Your Shoulders...
37. We are not binding heavy burdens and laying them upon your shoulders, while we with a finger will not touch them. Seek out, and acknowledge the labor of our occupations, and in some of us the infirmities of our bodies also, and in the Churches which we serve, that custom now grown up, that they do not suffer us to have time ourselves for those works to which we exhort you. For though we might say, "Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? Who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the …
St. Augustine—Of the Work of Monks.

The Beginning of the New Testament
[Illustration: (drop cap T) Coin of Thessalonica] Turn to the list of books given in the beginning of your New Testament. You will see that first come the four Gospels, or glimpses of the Saviour's life given by four different writers. Then follows the Acts of the Apostles, and, lastly, after the twenty-one epistles, the volume ends with the Revelation. Now this is not the order in which the books were written--they are only arranged like this for our convenience. The first words of the New Testament …
Mildred Duff—The Bible in its Making

The Clergyman and the Prayer Book.
Dear pages of ancestral prayer, Illumined all with Scripture gold, In you we seem the faith to share Of saints and seers of old. Whene'er in worship's blissful hour The Pastor lends your heart a voice, Let his own spirit feel your power, And answer, and rejoice. In the present chapter I deal a little with the spirit and work of the Clergyman in his ministration of the ordered Services of the Church, reserving the work of the Pulpit for later treatment. THE PRAYER BOOK NOT PERFECT BUT INESTIMABLE. …
Handley C. G. Moule—To My Younger Brethren

Letter ii (A. D. 1126) to the Monk Adam
To the Monk Adam [3] 1. If you remain yet in that spirit of charity which I either knew or believed to be with you formerly, you would certainly feel the condemnation with which charity must regard the scandal which you have given to the weak. For charity would not offend charity, nor scorn when it feels itself offended. For it cannot deny itself, nor be divided against itself. Its function is rather to draw together things divided; and it is far from dividing those that are joined. Now, if that …
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux

How those that are at Variance and those that are at Peace are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 23.) Differently to be admonished are those that are at variance and those that are at peace. For those that are at variance are to be admonished to know most certainly that, in whatever virtues they may abound, they can by no means become spiritual if they neglect becoming united to their neighbours by concord. For it is written, But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace (Gal. v. 22). He then that has no care to keep peace refuses to bear the fruit of the Spirit. Hence Paul …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

Christian Behavior
Being the fruits of true Christianity: Teaching husbands, wives, parents, children, masters, servants, etc., how to walk so as to please God. With a word of direction to all backsliders. Advertisement by the Editor This valuable practical treatise, was first published as a pocket volume about the year 1674, soon after the author's final release from his long and dangerous imprisonment. It is evident from the concluding paragraph that he considered his liberty and even his life to be still in a very …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

The Fourth Commandment
Remember the Sabbath-day to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God; in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maid-servant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day; wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath-day and hallowed it. Exod 20: 8-11. This …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

Perseverance of Saints.
OBJECTIONS ANSWERED. 1. It is said that the natural tendency of this doctrine condemns it; that it tends to beget and foster a carnal presumption in a life of sin, on the part of those who think themselves saints. There is, I reply, a broad and obvious distinction between the abuse of a good thing or doctrine, and its natural tendency. The legitimate tendency of a thing or doctrine may be good, and yet it may be abused and perverted. This is true of the atonement, and the offer of pardon through …
Charles Grandison Finney—Systematic Theology

Links
2 Thessalonians 3:6 NIV
2 Thessalonians 3:6 NLT
2 Thessalonians 3:6 ESV
2 Thessalonians 3:6 NASB
2 Thessalonians 3:6 KJV

2 Thessalonians 3:6 Commentaries

Bible Hub
2 Thessalonians 3:5
Top of Page
Top of Page