Chapter
1 2 3
Verse
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18

2 Thessalonians 3:14

ESV If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed.
NIV Take special note of anyone who does not obey our instruction in this letter. Do not associate with them, in order that they may feel ashamed.
NASB If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of that person so as not to associate with him, so that he will be put to shame.
CSB If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take note of that person; don’t associate with him, so that he may be ashamed.
NLT Take note of those who refuse to obey what we say in this letter. Stay away from them so they will be ashamed.
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.
NKJV And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed.

What does 2 Thessalonians 3:14 mean?

Paul instructs the Thessalonian church about how it should treat an unrepentant idle member. He refers to that person as someone who does not obey what he has written in 2 Thessalonians. Because the content of that letter was inspired by the Holy Spirit (2 Timothy 3:16), it carried full authority. Paul commands the faithful believers to clearly identify a disobedient, idle person, and withhold social contact from him until he repented and quit being idle. This seems to imply a less-severe form of rejection than what Paul prescribed for profound sin in 1 Corinthians 5.

Christians are called to fellowship with each other (Hebrews 10:25), not ostracism. Disconnection from other believers is not meant to be taken lightly. As in all such instructions in the New Testament, the purpose of social separation is to spur the offender to repentance. This starts with a sense of shame. The disciplinary action was intended to be remedial—seeking healing—not punitive—seeking to inflict pain. Parallel to this idea, Paul outlined the course of action spiritual Christians should take when a brother is caught in a transgression. The pattern is to "restore him in a spirit of gentleness," while keeping watch on themselves so they would not be tempted (Galatians 6:1). This need for compassion is also reflected in the next verse.
Expand
Expand
Expand
What is the Gospel?
Download the app: