2 Thessalonians 3:14

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} if any man {G1536} obey {G5219} not {G3756} our {G2257} word {G3056} by {G1223} this epistle {G1992}, note {G4593} that {G5126} man, and {G2532} have {G4874} no {G3361} company with {G4874} him {G846}, that {G2443} he may be ashamed {G1788}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Furthermore, if anyone does not obey what we are saying in this letter, take note of him and have nothing to do with him, so that he will be ashamed.

Berean Standard Bible

Take note of anyone who does not obey the instructions we have given in this letter. Do not associate with him, so that he may be ashamed.

American Standard Version

And if any man obeyeth not our word by this epistle, note that man, that ye have no company with him, to the end that he may be ashamed.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In 2 Thessalonians 3:14, the Apostle Paul issues a clear directive to the Thessalonian church regarding individuals who refuse to obey the apostolic instructions conveyed in his letter, particularly concerning the command to work and live orderly lives. This verse outlines a specific communal response: to identify such a person, withdraw from intimate fellowship with them, and do so with the redemptive aim of causing them to feel a godly shame that leads to repentance and restoration. It underscores the church's responsibility to uphold divine order and the importance of accountability within the Christian community for the sake of individual spiritual health and corporate witness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within Paul's concluding exhortations and instructions in his second letter to the Thessalonians. The immediate preceding verses [2 Thessalonians 3:6-13](/2_thessalonians/3-6-13 "Paul's Exhortation on Orderly Living") address the problem of idleness and disorderly conduct among some believers, which had been a persistent issue since the first epistle. Paul had already commanded them to "withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly" [2 Thessalonians 3:6](/2_thessalonians/3-6 "Withdraw from Disorderly Brethren"), and he reinforced this by reminding them of his own diligent example of working to support himself [2 Thessalonians 3:7-9](/2_thessalonians/3-7-9 "Paul's Example of Diligent Work"). Verse 14, therefore, serves as a concrete, practical step in the process of dealing with those who stubbornly refuse to heed these commands, providing a mechanism for communal accountability before the softening instruction in [2 Thessalonians 3:15](/2_thessalonians/3-15 "Admonish as a Brother").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The early Christian communities, like the one in Thessalonica, were tightly knit social units where shared meals, fellowship, and mutual support were central to their identity and survival. In this context, withdrawal of fellowship was a significant social and spiritual consequence, far more impactful than it might be in modern, individualistic societies. Some members in Thessalonica, perhaps fueled by an overzealous expectation of Christ's imminent return, had ceased working, becoming dependent on others and disruptive "busybodies" [2 Thessalonians 3:11](/2_thessalonians/3-11 "The Disorderly and Busybodies"). Paul's instructions here reflect a pastoral concern for the health of the community, the integrity of the gospel message, and the spiritual well-being of the errant individuals. The concept of "shame" (Greek _entrépō_) was also a powerful motivator in ancient Mediterranean cultures, often leading to a desire for reconciliation and restoration of honor.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes in 2 Thessalonians and Pauline theology. It highlights the theme of **church discipline and order**, demonstrating that the church is not merely a collection of individuals but a structured community with standards of conduct derived from apostolic teaching. It emphasizes **accountability to divine instruction**, asserting the authority of Paul's "word by this epistle" as God's authoritative revelation. Furthermore, it underscores the **redemptive purpose of discipline**, as the ultimate goal of "shaming" the individual is not punitive exclusion but rather their repentance and restoration, a theme also seen in [1 Corinthians 5](/1_corinthians/5 "Discipline in the Church") and [Matthew 18](/matthew/18 "Church Discipline"). The passage also implicitly addresses the **importance of work and self-sufficiency** within the Christian life, countering the idleness that threatened the community's witness.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Obey (Greek, _hypakoúō_):** This term signifies "to hear under (as a subordinate)," implying attentive listening that leads to heeding or conforming to a command or authority. In this context, it refers to a deliberate and persistent refusal to comply with the clear apostolic instructions regarding orderly conduct and diligent work, indicating not merely ignorance but willful disobedience.
* **Note (Greek, _sēmeióō_):** Derived from the word for "sign" or "mark," _sēmeióō_ means "to distinguish" or "to mark for avoidance." It implies a public identification or designation of the individual who is disobedient, making their conduct known to the community so that the prescribed action of withdrawal can be consistently applied. It is a formal recognition of their deviation.
* **Ashamed (Greek, _entrépō_):** This word carries the meaning "to invert" or "to confound," and in a bad sense, "to shame" or "to make blush." The purpose of the communal action is to evoke a healthy, godly shame or embarrassment over their disorderly conduct, which is intended to lead to introspection, repentance, and a desire to return to fellowship and obedience, rather than destructive guilt or permanent alienation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And if any man obey not our word by this epistle":** This clause establishes the condition for the disciplinary action. "Our word by this epistle" refers to the authoritative instructions Paul has given throughout the letter, particularly the commands to work quietly and not be idle [2 Thessalonians 3:10-12](/2_thessalonians/3-10-12 "Paul's Command to Work"). The phrase "if any man obey not" implies a persistent and willful disregard, not a momentary lapse.
* **"note that man":** This is the first specific instruction to the community. To "note" someone means to publicly identify them and their disobedient behavior. It's a formal recognition of their status as an individual who is out of step with the community's standards and apostolic teaching, setting the stage for the subsequent action.
* **"and have no company with him":** This is the core of the disciplinary action. "Have no company" (Greek _synanamígnymi_) means to cease intimate association, particularly in shared meals and close fellowship. It does not imply total shunning or treating them as an enemy, as clarified in [2 Thessalonians 3:15](/2_thessalonians/3-15 "Admonish as a Brother"), but rather a withdrawal of the close, affirming fellowship that characterizes the Christian community.
* **"that he may be ashamed":** This final clause reveals the redemptive purpose behind the action. The withdrawal of fellowship is not punitive in a retributive sense, but therapeutic. The aim is to create a social and spiritual discomfort that leads the disobedient individual to feel a godly shame, prompting them to reflect on their conduct, repent, and ultimately be restored to proper conduct and full fellowship.

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs **Imperative Mood** throughout this section, issuing direct commands ("note," "have no company") to the Thessalonian believers, underscoring the authority of his apostolic instructions and the church's responsibility to act. The verse also utilizes **Cause and Effect** (or **Purpose Clause**) with the phrase "that he may be ashamed," clearly stating the intended outcome of the disciplinary action. This highlights the redemptive goal of the church's intervention. Furthermore, there is an implied **Contrast** between the "disorderly" and the "orderly," reinforcing the community's expected standards of conduct. The entire passage functions as a form of **Pastoral Admonition**, providing practical guidance for maintaining the health and integrity of the nascent Christian community.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse provides crucial insight into the early church's understanding of communal responsibility and the nature of Christian discipline. It demonstrates that the church is called to be a community of accountability, where love for one another includes the willingness to confront sin and disorder for the sake of spiritual health. The disciplinary action is not about punishment or exclusion, but about loving correction aimed at restoration, reflecting God's own patience and desire for repentance. It underscores that Christian fellowship is not unconditional; it is predicated on adherence to Christ's teachings and an orderly walk that honors the gospel. The goal is always to bring the erring brother back into alignment with the body, not to cast them out permanently.

* [Matthew 18:15-17](/matthew/18-15-17 "Steps of Church Discipline")
* [1 Corinthians 5:9-13](/1_corinthians/5-9-13 "Dealing with Immorality in the Church")
* [Titus 3:10-11](/titus/3-10-11 "Dealing with Divisive People")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
2 Thessalonians 3:14 presents a challenging but vital principle for believers today: the necessity of communal accountability and redemptive discipline within the church. In an age that often prioritizes individual autonomy above all else, this verse reminds us that true Christian community involves a mutual commitment to uphold biblical standards and to lovingly confront behavior that deviates from them. The purpose is never to condemn or ostraciously punish, but to create an environment where a brother or sister, through the discomfort of being "noted" and having fellowship withdrawn, might be moved to a godly shame that leads to repentance and restoration. This requires courage, discernment, and a deep love for the individual, always remembering that the goal is not to treat them as an enemy but as a brother in need of correction. It prompts us to consider how our own lives reflect the order and diligence expected of believers, and how we might participate in the loving, restorative work of the church.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does my understanding of "love" align with the concept of loving correction and discipline as presented in this verse?**
* **In what ways might my church community practically "note" and "have no company with" someone who persistently disobeys biblical teaching, while still treating them as a brother?**
* **What kind of "shame" is Paul referring to here, and how does it differ from destructive guilt or public humiliation?**
* **How can I personally contribute to a church culture that balances grace and truth, upholding biblical standards while pursuing the restoration of erring members?**

### FAQ
**Does "have no company with him" mean complete shunning or cutting off all contact?**

Answer: No, the instruction to "have no company with him" (Greek _synanamígnymi_) does not mean complete shunning or treating the person as an enemy. As clarified in the very next verse, [2 Thessalonians 3:15](/2_thessalonians/3-15 "Admonish as a Brother"), Paul states, "Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother." The phrase implies a cessation of intimate, affirming fellowship, particularly shared meals and close social interaction that symbolized unity and acceptance within the early Christian community. The goal is to create a discomfort that prompts repentance, not to isolate or condemn permanently. It's a withdrawal of the privileges of close fellowship, designed to highlight the seriousness of their disobedience and encourage a change of heart, while still maintaining the possibility of brotherly admonition and eventual restoration.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 2 Thessalonians 3:14 provides practical instructions for church discipline, its underlying principles find their ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The very concept of a "word" to be obeyed, as Paul's epistle represents, points to Christ as the ultimate "Word of God" [John 1:1](/john/1-1 "The Word Became Flesh"). Jesus himself, though full of grace and truth [John 1:14](/john/1-14 "Grace and Truth Came Through Jesus Christ"), also demonstrated the necessity of confronting sin and calling for repentance, even using strong language with those who stubbornly refused to heed His teachings [Matthew 23](/matthew/23 "Woes to the Scribes and Pharisees"). The disciplinary action described here, aimed at leading to "shame" and ultimately repentance, mirrors the Holy Spirit's work of convicting the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment [John 16:8](/john/16-8 "The Work of the Holy Spirit"). The ultimate purpose of such discipline—restoration to fellowship—is at the heart of Christ's mission, who came to seek and to save the lost [Luke 19:10](/luke/19-10 "The Son of Man Came to Seek and Save the Lost") and reconcile humanity to God through His atoning sacrifice [2 Corinthians 5:18-19](/2_corinthians/5-18-19 "Ministry of Reconciliation"). Thus, the church's act of discipline, when exercised in love and with a redemptive aim, participates in the ongoing work of Christ to bring His people to conformity with His character and to maintain the purity and witness of His body, the Church.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Titus 3:10

A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;

1 Corinthians 5:11

But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.

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.

Psalms 83:16

Fill their faces with shame; that they may seek thy name, O LORD.

1 Thessalonians 4:8

He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.

Proverbs 5:13

And have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor inclined mine ear to them that instructed me!

2 Corinthians 10:6

And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.