WITHDRAWING FROM SINFUL BRETHREN

2 Thess 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.

Preceding the lesson text, Paul was confident that these Christians in Thessalonica would obey the inspired gospel message of salvation he had commanded of them, which was offered to them by God, as well as to all people of the world, that hear and obey His will. Paul now gives another of God's commands, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that they must obey, and by example, must also be obeyed by all faithful congregations of God's people throughout all ages. And that commandment is to withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition, which he received of us.

Because mankind is not perfect; because all men and women of the world, by their very nature, have an inclination, or tendency, to sin, God commands their erring ways should be dealt with in society by civil authorities. However, within the body of Christ, His church, the brethren that make up its membership must deal, effectively and decisively, with all sinful conditions which erring Christians bring into the congregation. Notice that this commandment is not given to a Pope, Archbishop, Priest, Presbyter, or even to the faithful gospel minister of a local congregation. This commandment was given to all brethren - to the united membership of the entire body of a particular church of Christ.

In the first verse of each letter to these Thessalonian Christians, Paul addressed the church of the Thessalonians, and not specific individuals. The lesson text is also addressed to all members of this spiritual family, both brothers and sisters in Christ. Although the membership of the congregation should rely on the knowledge, understanding, experience, and recommendations of its elders and ministers, the lesson text teaches us that it still remains the duty of the entire congregation to withdraw from sinful members that, by their actions, desire continued fellowship with this particular body of Christ.

The same was true of the church in Corinth. Paul addressed his first epistle unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to all members that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, (and) called to be saints (1 Cor. 1:2). In the first five verses of chapter 5, Paul identifies one of their members as a fornicator. It is evident that the entire congregation pverlooked and disregarded his sinful manner of life, and continued to fellowship with this individual. Paul tells them that this sinful man should be taken away from among you. Continuing in verses 11 through 13, and by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit of God, Paul tells the congregation that they are not to keep company with a brother that continues in sins as a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner. The entire congregation in Corinth was commanded to put away from among yourselves that wicked person, whom Paul had described in the first five verses of this letter, as a fornicator.

Verses that follow the lesson text describe sinful members of the church of Christ in Thessalonica, from whom the membership were commanded to withdraw themselves. They were not fornicators, those given to covetousness, idolaters, drunkards, etc., but those that walketh disorderly (Vs. 6). In the eleventh verse, these sinful brethren are further described as those, which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. Certainly it is in order that the sins of these brethren were to be exposed, by sound doctrinal teaching. And with encouraging words, attempts should be made to restore these didorderly Christians, to righteous conduct. However, Paul writes, if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him (Vs. 14).

Why is such action necessary by this, and all other bodies of Christ? It is necessary, first of all, so those committing such sins may be ashamed of their manner of life, repent, seek forgiveness, and turn away from such disorderly sins. Secondly, as brethren, their sins are not to be condoned. The sinful conduct of a Christian will bring reproach upon God, Christ Jesus, as well as to the church of Christ. If this sinful member of the body of Christ refuses to repent and seek forgiveness, but continues in their sinful conduct, this commandment of God, must be administered by the membership of the church, in order to maintain its purity. Unrepentant sinners are to be rooted out of the body of Christ, that the entire church will not suffer reproach for the sinful actions of a few.

God commands that all congregations of His church withdraw from fellowshipping with brothers and sisters in Christ that continue in sin. The object of such discipline is not to condemn but to save their souls from eternal death. Withdrawing from sinful brethren is God's command. God also commands that we count them not as an enemy, but admonish him (or her) as a brother (or sister) in Christ. If congregational discipline is the only recourse, thenwithdrawing from sinful brethrenis authorized by this scripture, and it is given to the brethren,as guided by the elders of that congregation.