2 Thessalonians 3:6-9
6 But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us. 7 For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you; 8 nor did we eat anyone's bread free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, 9 not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us.
6 But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us. 7 For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you; 8 nor did we eat anyone's bread free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, 9 not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us.
Church discipline begins with knowing what God expects for us to live by before we know for what and when to draw away from them. Here Paul commands the Thessalonians step away from those living disorderly and contrary to sound biblical teaching. The disorderly is a disobedient and irresponsible life, morally and spiritually, which makes it sinful as well. Paul stressed their own examples to the Thessalonians, acting true to God and responsibly by working for their sustenance. They did the honorable and right things to fulfill the second greatest commandment of loving their brethren by avoiding becoming burdensome. They had authority to ask for these things, but chose to think of the welfare of others and set the example for both moral and spiritual discipleship. We should not be burdens to others, but serve them as Christ served us and gave the example.
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