2 Thessalonians 3:6-7 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. For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you; KJV
It seems that the Apostle Paul had received some bad news concerning some of the brothers in the Church @ Thessalonica concerning them taking their understanding that our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ would soon return for them in the rapture to an extreme point causing them to freeload, mooch or live off the generosity of the other believers in the Church there causing them to have to work even harder and longer. The Apostle Paul wants to immediately (by this letter) straighten out or put things in there proper order concerning how these believers were to conduct themselves as pilgrims here on the earth away from their heavenly home by first declaring to them these words, "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) (KJV). To begin with the Apostle Paul makes it very clear that he is not making a suggestion here, that is, something they could accept or reject, but he says emphatically 'we command' you and this little English phrase is translated by one Greek word paraggello meaning to transmit a message, that is, (by implication) to enjoin: - give in charge, give commandment, declare. This command or charge to them is by not Paul's authority, but in 'the name' of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The little English phrase 'the name' is translated by one Greek word onoma which means in this case a name (literally or figuratively), (authority, character): In other words, Paul the Apostle commands these believers in the Church @ Thessalonica by Christ Authority given to him as an Apostle of Jesus Christ, therefore, when they disobey these words from Paul, then they are disobeying Christ Jesus our Lord Himself. The command Paul goes on to give is that those who are not freeloading, mooching, or sponging off the labors of others 'withdraw yourselves' from those who are freeloading. This little English phrase 'withdraw yourselves' is translated by one Greek word stello meaning properly to set fast (stall), that is, (figuratively) to repress (reflexively abstain from associating with): - avoid, withdraw self. In other words, Paul wants the obedient brothers to avoid association with the disobedient brothers and to abstain from giving to them which upholds and continues their freeloading and sponging. Paul when he lived among them the short few weeks he and those with him were there set the example of how they ought to live among one another, "For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;" (2 Thessalonians 3:7) (KJV) as he, Silas, and Timothy did not live off the resources of the believers there, but they supplied their own needs and this is what Paul means by the 'traditions which he received of us'.
Similiar to what Paul said to the Romans in closing his letter to them with these words, "I appeal to you, brethren, to be on your guard concerning those who create dissensions and difficulties {and} cause divisions, in opposition to the doctrine (the teaching) which you have been taught. [I warn you to turn aside from them, to] avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ but their own appetites {and} base desires, and by ingratiating and flattering speech, they beguile the hearts of the unsuspecting {and} simpleminded [people]. For while your loyalty {and} obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, I would have you well versed {and} wise as to what is good and innocent {and} guileless as to what is evil." (Romans 16-17-19) (Amplified Bible). Paul, although his time in their physical presence was brief, set the example of how a Christian brother should conduct themselves when living among others. Paul, Silas, and Timothy did not freeload and act as gluttons eating and drinking the food and drink of others without providing for themsleves, even though Paul (as an Apostle of Jesus Christ) had every right to live from preaching the Gospel to them.
Paul conducted himself in this same manner with the Corinthian believers whom he spent 18 months living among when he wrote this to them, "If we have sown [the seed of] spiritual good among you, [is it too] much if we reap from your material benefits? If others share in this rightful claim upon you, do not we [have a still better and greater claim]? However, we have never exercised this right, but we endure everything rather than put a hindrance in the way [of the spread] of the good news (the Gospel) of Christ. Do you not know that those men who are employed in the services of the temple get their food from the temple? And that those who tend the altar share with the altar [in the offerings brought]? [On the same principle] the Lord directed that those who publish the good news (the Gospel) should live (get their maintenance) by the Gospel. But I have not made use of any of these privileges, nor am I writing this [to suggest] that any such provision be made for me [now]. For it would be better for me to die than to have anyone make void {and} deprive me of my [ground for] glorifying [in this matter]. For if I [merely] preach the Gospel, that gives me no reason to boast, for I feel compelled of necessity to do it. Woe is me if I do not preach the glad tidings (the Gospel)! For if I do this work of my own free will, then I have my pay (my reward); but if it is not of my own will, but is done reluctantly {and} under compulsion, I am [still] entrusted with a [sacred] trusteeship {and} commission. What then is the [actual] reward that I get? Just this: that in my preaching the good news (the Gospel), I may offer it [absolutely] free of expense [to anybody], not taking advantage of my rights {and} privileges [as a preacher] of the Gospel." (1 Corinthians 9:11-18) (Amplified Bible).
Paul was not like the false apostles who readily, regularly, and routinely had their hand out wherever they went taking money and goods from the people they were supposedly helping, but instead they were only enriching themselves from place to place. Paul (being genuine and authentic) never saw his preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ as a way to live the high life or to get earthly wealth, but only as the way to see men and women freed from clutches of the devil, the beast, and the false prophet and adopted into the family of God forever, for Paul had already reminded them of his conduct amongst them in his first letter when he wrote these words to them then, "For you recall our hard toil and struggles, brethren. We worked night and day [and plied our trade] in order not to be a burden to any of you [for our support] while we proclaimed the glad tidings (the Gospel) of God to you. You are witnesses, [yes] and God [also], how unworldly and upright and blameless was our behavior toward you believers [who adhered to and trusted in and relied on our Lord Jesus Christ]. For you know how, as a father [dealing with] his children, we used to exhort each of you personally, stimulating {and} encouraging and charging you to live lives worthy of God, Who calls you into His own kingdom and the glorious blessedness [into which true believers will enter after Christ's return]." (1 Thessalonians 2:9-12) (Amplified Bible), so we see here Paul just continuing his affirmation of his behavior among them in the closing Chapter of this his second letter to them.
"From his high expectations of the Advent, the Apostle turns to the prosaic commonplaces of daily toil. There was need for this, because the expectation of the speedy return of Christ was disarranging the ordinary course of life and duty. People were neglecting the common round of daily tasks, and idlers were imposing on Christian generosity. Against these the Apostle sets his own example of sitting far into the night at his tent-making. The best attitude for those that look for their Lord is not in pressing their faces against the oriel window, to behold the chariot of their returning Master, but in plying their toil with deft hands and consecrated hearts." F. B. Meyer
If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...
Sincerely in Christ,
Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…
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