2 Thessalonians 3:14

And if anyman obey not our word by this epistle More strictly, But if any one obeys not, &c. As the writer passes, by a contrasting Butin 2 Thessalonians 3:13, from the disorderly fraction to the well-conducted majority of the Church, so he returns again from the latter to the former, in order to give his final directions concerning them. "Obeys not" (indicative): the Apostle is not providing for a contingency, but dealing with the existing case. The matter is put, according to the Greek epistolary idiom, from the standpoint of the readers. The letter has been read to the assembled Church; the disorderly have received the Apostle's message; some acknowledge their fault, and submit; others one or more are still refractory; and he tells the Church how it must now proceed.

"Our word through the Epistle," i.e. what we say by this letter. Wordand Epistlewere distinguished in ch. 2 Thessalonians 2:2; 2 Thessalonians 2:15, here identified; the letter has the force and authority of the writer's spoken word (see note on ch. 2 Thessalonians 2:15).

note thatman, and have no company with him Better reading: note that man, that ye have no company with him (R.V.); i.e., "mark him as a man with whom you are not to associate," literally, not to be mixed up with him: comp. the use of the same verb in 1 Corinthians 5:9; 1 Corinthians 5:11. The "noting," one imagines, would be effected by publicly namingthe culprit in the Church as one disobedient to the Apostle's command.

This "mark" set on the obstinate breaker of rule is intended for his good to the end that he may be ashamed (R.V.), or abashed. This is all the punishment desired for him. If shame is awakened in him, when he finds himself condemned by the general sentiment and left alone, this may be the beginning of amendment. Compare the directions given in the extreme case of offence at Corinth, 2 Corinthians 2:6-8. The door for repentance is left wide open.