2 Thessalonians 3:15 kjv
Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.
2 Thessalonians 3:15 nkjv
Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.
2 Thessalonians 3:15 niv
Yet do not regard them as an enemy, but warn them as you would a fellow believer.
2 Thessalonians 3:15 esv
Do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.
2 Thessalonians 3:15 nlt
Don't think of them as enemies, but warn them as you would a brother or sister.
2 Thessalonians 3 15 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Galatians 6:1 | Brothers, if anyone is caught in any sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. | Gentle restoration of erring brother |
| Matthew 18:15 | If your brother sins, go and correct him between you and him alone. | Personal correction |
| Luke 17:3 | Watch yourselves. If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. | Rebuke and forgiveness |
| Romans 15:14 | I myself am satisfied and convinced about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, and able to instruct one another. | Mutual instruction |
| Titus 3:10 | But avoid a factious man after a first and second warning, knowing that such a person is perverted and is sinning, being self-condemned. | Avoid divisive people after warning |
| 1 Timothy 5:20 | As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear. | Public rebuke of persistent sin |
| 1 Peter 4:8 | Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. | Love covers offenses |
| Ephesians 4:29 | Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. | Building speech |
| Colossians 4:6 | Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. | Gracious speech |
| 1 Corinthians 8:1 | Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that "all of us possess knowledge." This is true; knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. | Love vs. knowledge |
| 1 Corinthians 10:23 | "All things are lawful," but not all things are helpful. "All things are lawful," but not all things build up. | Edification |
| James 5:19-20 | My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and another brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins. | Saving a soul |
| 2 Timothy 2:24-25 | And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to all, able to teach, patient in suffering, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, | Gentle correction |
| John 13:34-35 | A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. | Love as disciple's mark |
| Romans 12:18 | If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. | Live peaceably |
| Philippians 2:14 | Do all your works without grumbling or disputing, | Avoid grumbling |
| 1 Thessalonians 5:14 | And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone. | Admonish the idle |
| 1 Thessalonians 4:11 | and to aspire to live quietly, to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, | Live quietly, mind affairs |
| Matthew 18:17 | If he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. | Dealing with unrepentant |
| Ephesians 4:2-3 | With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. | Unity in love |
2 Thessalonians 3 verses
2 Thessalonians 3 15 Meaning
The verse instructs believers not to regard a fellow Christian as an enemy simply because that person holds a different view on a particular matter. Instead, they should be corrected or admonished in a way that leads to reconciliation and repentance. The focus is on fraternal correction rather than outright enmity.
2 Thessalonians 3 15 Context
In 2 Thessalonians chapter 3, Paul addresses continued spiritual immaturity and disorder within the Thessalonian church. A significant issue was idleness and disruptive behavior, where some were not working but were instead busybodies. Paul had previously instructed them on this matter (1 Thess. 4:11-12). Chapter 3, verse 15 likely follows Paul's direct instructions regarding how to deal with those who disobey the apostolic word – namely, to mark them and not associate with them. However, even in this disciplinary context, there's a crucial boundary set, which this verse provides. It's not about severing all fellowship immediately or permanently with everyone who errs, but about a specific type of brother and a specific kind of disciplinary action that should retain a core of Christian love and pursuit of restoration, not enmity. The background is a community learning to live out their faith, facing internal challenges while enduring external persecution.
2 Thessalonians 3 15 Word Analysis
- Μὴ (mē): "not." A particle of negation. This negates the imperative that follows, prohibiting the action of treating the brother as an enemy.
- ὡς (hōs): "as," "like." Indicates a comparison or a manner of treating someone. It doesn't mean the person is an enemy, but should not be treated as if they were.
- ἐχθρὸν (echthron): Accusative singular masculine of ἔχθρος (echthros). Refers to an "enemy," one who is hostile or an opponent, often in a state of active animosity. This is a strong word, suggesting an avowed, outward, and irreconcilable foe.
- ἡγείσθε (hēgeisthe): Second person plural present imperative middle of ἡγέομαι (hēgeomai). Means "to think," "to consider," "to regard," "to esteem." The imperative, in the middle voice, implies an inward judgment and a subsequent outward expression of that judgment. The Thessalonians are being told how they are to reckon with this person in their inner disposition and outward behavior.
- ἀλλ’ (all'): A conjunction, meaning "but," "rather." It introduces a contrast to the preceding negative statement.
- εFBSDKLogin (e): This seems to be an incomplete Greek word fragment or typo. Assuming it relates to "or" or "but rather," it would continue the contrast.
- ἐντροπὴν (entropēn): Accusative singular feminine of ἐντροπή (entrope). Meaning "a sense of shame," "admonition," "correction." This noun points to the act of calling someone to account, often with the aim of bringing about shame for their wrongdoing, which, in turn, can lead to repentance. It implies a corrective rather than a punitive action.
- νουθετεῖτε (noutheteite): Second person plural present imperative active of νουθετέω (noutheteō). "To admonish," "to counsel," "to instruct," "to warn." This verb carries the sense of putting something into the mind, guiding, and gently correcting. It implies a paternalistic concern for the well-being and moral/spiritual health of the one being addressed.
Word Group Analysis:
- "Μὴ ὡς ἐχθρὸν ἡγείσθε" (mē hōs echthron hēgeisthe): This entire phrase encapsulates the prohibition against viewing and treating a fellow Christian, who has erred, as a mortal enemy. It's a directive against escalating a disciplinary issue into outright, hostile opposition.
- "ἀλλ’ ἐντροπὴν νουθετεῖτε" (all' entropēn noutheteite): This clause provides the positive instruction. Instead of enmity, the corrective action should be one of admonition or correction (entropēn) delivered through a process of counseling and instruction (noutheteite). The goal is not ostracism, but the restoration of the erring brother.
2 Thessalonians 3 15 Bonus Section
The Greek word echthros is distinct from polemios (enemy in warfare), suggesting a more personal animosity. The emphasis on entropēn (correction, shame) as the alternative to enmity highlights the restorative intent of Christian discipline. This verse is crucial in understanding that "marking" someone (v. 14) does not necessarily mean casting them out completely or viewing them as an irreconcilable foe, but rather exercising a discerning social distance combined with a clear, loving attempt at restoration. The contrasting command to "admonish" (noutheteite) is the proactive measure to counter potential idleness and divisive behavior mentioned earlier in the chapter. It underscores that genuine love within the church must also be willing to confront sin and error, but always with the goal of healing, not destruction.
2 Thessalonians 3 15 Commentary
This verse serves as a crucial qualifier to earlier disciplinary instructions. While it is necessary to mark those who disobey (2 Thess. 3:14), the ultimate purpose is not perpetual exclusion or personal animosity. Instead, the believer's responsibility is to offer correction and admonishment. This process is meant to evoke shame or conviction (entropēn), leading to repentance, and is to be carried out through the means of counseling and teaching (noutheteite). The emphasis is on brotherly love guiding all corrective actions, ensuring that discipline aims for restoration rather than alienation. This reflects the broader New Testament theme of maintaining unity and pursuing peace within the body of Christ, even when dealing with difficult situations or individuals. The corrective action must be rooted in a desire for the erring one's well-being and conformity to Christ.
- Practical application: When a brother or sister in Christ errs, the first step is private, gentle correction, not public condemnation or treating them as an outcast. The intention should be to help them see their error and turn back to the right path.