2 Thessalonians 3:6

2 Thessalonians 3:6 is a pivotal verse where the Apostle Paul issues a direct command regarding conduct within the early Christian community. It addresses the serious issue of believers who were not living according to the established Christian principles and apostolic teaching, particularly concerning diligence and order.

Context

Paul, Silvanus (Silas), and Timothy are writing to the church in Thessalonica, providing further instruction and encouragement. In their previous letter, and indeed in this one, Paul had to address misunderstandings about the Lord's return, which led some believers to cease working, living idly, and becoming a burden on others. This verse serves as a strong directive for the church to address such disruptive behavior. It follows Paul's emphasis on praying for deliverance from unreasonable men (2 Thessalonians 3:2) and highlights the need for internal discipline to maintain the integrity and witness of the community.

Key Themes

• Church Discipline and Order: The verse underscores the necessity for order and accountability within the body of Christ. The community is not to tolerate behavior that undermines its health and testimony.
• Apostolic Authority and Tradition: Paul emphasizes that this command comes "in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ," asserting divine authority behind the instruction. The phrase "the tradition which he received of us" refers to the body of teaching and practical conduct that Paul and his companions had delivered to them, including the imperative to work diligently and live orderly lives, as he himself exemplified (2 Thessalonians 3:7-9).
• Consequences of Disorderly Conduct: The instruction to "withdraw yourselves" is a form of communal discipline aimed at encouraging repentance and protecting the church from the negative influence of unruly members. It's a call to separate from those who habitually disregard the communal norms and teachings.

Linguistic Insights

• "walketh disorderly" (Greek: ataktos): This term originates from military language, meaning "out of rank," "undisciplined," or "not keeping order." In civilian use, it came to describe idleness, shirking duties, or living an irresponsible life. It perfectly describes those who were not working but were instead meddling in others' affairs. This concept is further elaborated in 2 Thessalonians 3:11, where Paul speaks of those "walking disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies."
• "tradition" (Greek: paradosis): This word refers to what has been "handed down" or delivered, encompassing both doctrinal teaching and and practical instruction for Christian living. It signifies the authoritative teaching received from the apostles, which was to be upheld by the believers.

Practical Application

This verse provides timeless principles for Christian community life:

• Accountability is Essential: Believers are called to live responsibly, not just for their own sake but for the health and witness of the entire church.
• Purpose of Discipline: The command to "withdraw" is not about shunning or condemning permanently, but a measure taken to bring a brother or sister back into alignment with Christ's teachings. It's a loving, yet firm, attempt to call someone to repentance and a more righteous path, as further clarified in 2 Thessalonians 3:14-15.
• Modeling Righteous Conduct: Just as Paul provided an example of diligent work ("if any would not work, neither should he eat"), believers are to uphold the standards of Christian living, which includes diligence, order, and respect for community norms. This applies to various forms of disorderly conduct, not just idleness, but any behavior that contradicts biblical principles and harms the church's witness.