How does 2 Thessalonians 3:6 relate to Matthew 18:15-17 on church discipline? Setting the Stage: Two Inspired Instructions “Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from any brother who leads an undisciplined life and is not in keeping with the tradition you received from us.” • 15 “If your brother sins against you, go and confront him privately. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. • 16 But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ • 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, regard him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.” Both passages deal with persistent, unrepentant sin inside the fellowship. Paul writes as an apostle giving an authoritative command; Jesus speaks as Lord laying down a process for His church. Put together, they form a full picture of discipline that is both pastoral and firm. Parallel Mandates: Consistency in Discipline • Both assume the offender is a professing “brother.” • Both require action from those who observe the sin. • Both end with separation if repentance is refused. • Both are designed to protect the purity of the body and reclaim the wandering believer (cf. James 5:19-20). Process versus Result Matthew 18 highlights the step-by-step procedure: private confrontation → small-group confirmation → congregational announcement → relational separation. 2 Thessalonians 3:6 focuses on the final step (“keep away”) and reinforces that the command carries apostolic authority “in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Paul’s directive presumes the earlier steps have happened or that the disorderly conduct is already evident to all. Unity of Purpose • Restoration: Both passages aim first at winning the brother (Matthew 18:15; Galatians 6:1). • Purity: Sin left unchecked spreads (1 Corinthians 5:6-7). Discipline guards the testimony of the church. • Obedience: Disregard for apostolic tradition (2 Thessalonians 3:6) or direct sin against a brother (Matthew 18) shows defiance toward Christ’s authority. Additional Witness of Scripture • 1 Corinthians 5:11 — “do not even eat with such a one” echoes “keep away.” • Titus 3:10 — “Reject a divisive man after a first and second admonition.” • 2 Thessalonians 3:14-15 adds nuance: “do not associate with him, so that he may be ashamed. Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.” Practical Steps for Today 1. Private appeal rooted in love and Scripture. 2. Small-group confirmation for stubborn cases. 3. Congregational involvement when necessary. 4. If there is still no repentance, a purposeful distancing—no partnership, no ministry roles, no unguarded fellowship—while continuing prayers and calls to repent. 5. Quick, genuine restoration the moment repentance appears (2 Corinthians 2:6-8). By weaving Paul’s command in 2 Thessalonians 3:6 with Jesus’ instruction in Matthew 18:15-17, we see a unified, Spirit-inspired call to disciplined love: firm enough to confront, patient enough to follow a process, and gracious enough to welcome back a repentant brother. |
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