“And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother” (2 Thessalonians 3:14-15).
Introduction
Here Paul offers precise instructions on how unruly and undisciplined believers are to be dealt with. We see in these two verses both the strictness and the mercy that must be manifest in the life of the person who has to admonish the one in the wrong. Being over strict or brushing the problem under the carpet will only cause more difficulties than it appears to solve.
Ashamed
If the offending party refuses to follow Biblical teaching from those in authority in the church, then there is no other choice but to discipline that person. Paul uses the word “note” to indicate that the unruly member must be set apart for special attention. The word can also mean to “mark” him out so that he can be avoided. This idea has already been emphasised in 2 Thessalonians 3:6, “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.” This may also include a public announcement being made. “And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican” (Matthew 18:17). It is at which point, though sad to say, that fellowship must be broken.
The whole reason why Paul is giving this advice is to bring the wayward believer back into a godly relationship with Christ and His church. He needs to feel “ashamed”. The word literally means in this case, “That he turn and take a good hard look at himself.” It is not that others purposely put him to shame, or go around gossiping about him; instead the shame must come from within his own heart. “Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour. Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour: I am the LORD. Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him. Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD” (Leviticus 19:15-18). We give the warning, but the Holy Spirit brings the conviction. “And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment” (John 16:8) ... “I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you” (1 Corinthians 4:14) … “Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you” (Titus 2:8). Therefore this shame is to bring the person to repentance, not so that he can be the church’s resident leper.
Admonished
The unruly believer is not our enemy and must not be made to be one, though it may appear that he is making himself such. We must admonish the person so that he might come to repentance, and that repentance leads to restoration. This is what we must keep in mind when we have to reprimand an undisciplined person. “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For every man shall bear his own burden” (Galatians 6:1-5). The admonishing of someone else must be done in brotherly love, for all we want is to see them stand before the throne of God with clean hands and a pure heart. “Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus” (Colossians 1:28).
Conclusion
There is no point avoiding or disfellowshipping another for their sin if they do not understand the reason why, therefore they need it explained to them. “Tell him lovingly of the reason why you shun him” (John Wesley). Absolute excommunication is not what Paul has in mind here, instead, though the wrongdoing must be dealt with, our sole aim is to bring the person to repentance, then forgive and restore him to fellowship. “Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men” (1 Thessalonians 5:14).
© 17/12/2008