2 Thessalonians 3 6

2 Thessalonians 3:6 kjv

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.

2 Thessalonians 3:6 nkjv

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 received from us.

2 Thessalonians 3:6 niv

In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers and sisters, to keep away from every believer who is idle and disruptive and does not live according to the teaching you received from us.

2 Thessalonians 3:6 esv

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.

2 Thessalonians 3:6 nlt

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.

2 Thessalonians 3 verses

2 Thessalonians 3 6 meaning

This verse is a firm apostolic command to the Thessalonian believers to distance themselves from any member of their community who lives an idle and disorderly life, failing to adhere to the practical instructions they had received from Paul regarding diligence and self-sufficiency. It emphasizes the importance of Christian work ethic and community responsibility, calling for corrective action against those whose conduct disrupts the fellowship and undermines the gospel's witness. The command is rooted in the divine authority of Jesus Christ and aims for the restoration of the errant believer and the health of the church.

2 Thessalonians 3 6 Context

2 Thessalonians chapter 3 serves as Paul’s concluding thoughts, urging prayer, offering a final prayer for the Thessalonians, and providing specific instructions regarding those who were causing disorder. The verse sits amidst Paul's personal example of working hard to be self-sufficient (v. 7-9) and his clear command that "if anyone is not willing to work, neither should he eat" (v. 10). This immediate context highlights that the idleness was not merely a character flaw but led to being a burden on others and disruptive behavior within the church community. The historical and cultural context in Thessalonica suggests that some believers had misunderstood Paul's eschatological teachings, perhaps believing Christ's imminent return rendered daily work meaningless. This led them to neglect their responsibilities, live off the generosity of others, and become busybodies. Paul's instruction is therefore a direct and strong corrective to this practical disorder, upholding Christian integrity, community harmony, and the gospel's reputation.

2 Thessalonians 3 6 Word analysis

• Now we command you: (παραγγέλλομεν, parangellomen - a strong imperative, literally "we instruct," "we charge," "we give orders"). This signifies not a mere suggestion or request, but an authoritative injunction from Paul and his co-workers as apostles of Christ. It reflects their God-given authority in guiding the conduct of the churches.
• brothers and sisters: (ἀδελφοί, adelphoi). A warm, inclusive term for fellow believers, yet it highlights that the recipients of this command are part of the Christian family and thus responsible for upholding the community's standards, even towards other family members.
• in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ: This phrase identifies the source and ultimate authority of the command. Paul is not issuing this out of personal preference but as a messenger empowered by Christ himself. It invokes Christ's person, power, and authority, making the command divine in origin.
• to keep away from: (στέλλεσθαι, stellesthai - lit. "to withdraw oneself," "to avoid," "to keep clear of"). This is an active and deliberate distancing. It implies a social, not necessarily spiritual, separation intended to demonstrate disapproval of their conduct, create discomfort, and hopefully lead the disruptive individual to repentance and restoration, rather than complete excommunication or shunning.
• every brother or sister: Emphasizes that this applies to any believer whose conduct fits the description, not just a select few. It underscores the universal application of church discipline and responsibility.
• who is idle and disruptive: (ἀτάκτως περιπατοῦντα, ataktōs peripatounta - lit. "walking disorderly," or "unruly," "idle"). The core problem. Ataktos originally referred to a soldier out of rank, undisciplined. In this context, it primarily denotes idleness, refusing to work for one's living, being a busybody, and disturbing the peace and order of the community through gossip or meddling, often stemming from idleness.
• and does not live according to the teaching: (μὴ περιπατοῦντα κατὰ τὴν παράδοσιν, mē peripatounta kata tēn paradosin - "not walking according to the tradition/teaching"). This points to a clear violation of apostolic instruction previously delivered, either verbally or in writing. "Teaching" (παράδοσιν, paradosin) here refers to the specific moral and ethical directives received directly from Paul.
• you received from us: Reaffirms the apostolic origin and authority of the "teaching" (tradition). It binds the Thessalonians to instructions they had been given and underscores that the current conduct is a deliberate departure from established, authoritative Christian practice.

• "Now we command you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ": This phrase asserts the gravitas and divine backing of the following instruction. It moves beyond persuasion to direct mandate, establishing Christ's authority as the basis for the church's self-governance and moral order.
• "to keep away from every brother or sister who is idle and disruptive": This establishes a practical boundary within the fellowship. The goal of this "keeping away" is restorative and protective: to create a space for the idler to feel the social consequences of their actions and motivate them to change, while also protecting the broader community from the negative influence and burden.
• "and does not live according to the teaching you received from us": This highlights the foundational issue – a departure from foundational apostolic doctrine regarding conduct. The problem is not merely personal choice but a rejection of established Christian way of life communicated by Paul, which included working diligently (as outlined in 1 Thess 4:11-12 and 2 Thess 3:10-12).

2 Thessalonians 3 6 Bonus section

The type of "keeping away" prescribed here should not be confused with outright ostracism or hatred. It is a loving, firm action meant to call a believer back to the truth and healthy community. The intention is restoration (2 Thess 3:14-15), not punitive destruction. It is a form of boundary-setting necessary for the health and integrity of the church, protecting its witness and internal order. The term "idle and disruptive" often indicates that idleness itself rarely exists in a vacuum; it tends to breed meddling, gossip, and dependency, leading to a general breakdown of order within the body of Christ. This command thus illustrates the balance between grace, truth, and discipline required in a functioning Christian community, where personal responsibility and corporate accountability go hand in hand.

2 Thessalonians 3 6 Commentary

This verse is a cornerstone for understanding Christian responsibility within the community and the biblical approach to corrective discipline. Paul, with full apostolic authority, commands the Thessalonian church to take deliberate action against members whose idleness and resulting disorderliness defy the clear teachings they had received. The command "in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" elevates this instruction from a mere human suggestion to a divine mandate, grounding church discipline in Christ's authority. The term "keep away from" does not signify shunning or outright excommunication, but rather a calculated social distancing designed to prompt self-reflection and repentance in the erring individual, and to protect the community from the detrimental impact of their behavior. The specific fault, "idle and disruptive," refers to those who refuse to work and instead become busybodies, creating friction and dependency—a problem Paul directly addresses with his own diligent example and the stern "work or don't eat" principle later in the chapter. The call to adhere to "the teaching you received from us" emphasizes that Christian conduct is not subjective but flows from established apostolic tradition and gospel principles, reinforcing the church's commitment to ordered and Christ-like living.