Charles Ellicott Commentary 2 Thessalonians 3:14

"And if any man obeyeth not our word by this epistle, note that man, that ye have no company with him, to the end that he may be ashamed." — 2 Thessalonians 3:14 (ASV)

And if anyone— This is an appeal to the right-minded, not only to persevere themselves, but to join with the overseers of their church in enforcing discipline, as in 1 Thessalonians 5:12–15.

By this epistle — This is correctly translated. The marginal version, “by an Epistle,” is impossible, because the definite article appears in the Greek. If the context allowed, it could be attached to the following clause instead of the preceding one, and translated as, “by means of the Epistle, identify that man,” meaning “in your reply.” However, there is nothing to suggest that St. Paul was expecting a reply. Furthermore, he has already given them full directions for dealing with the case themselves, so it would be unnecessary to send the details to him.

For several other significant reasons, it is best to connect these words to the preceding clause. The meaning, then, is this: There can be no excuse now. It was possible to forget or misinterpret our spoken tradition—as painstaking and definite as it was—and also possible to ignore the example we set. But now you have it in black and white, and the person who does not submit to our directions in this written form must be dealt with severely. There are at least three other places in Paul’s writings where “the Epistle” refers absolutely to “the present Epistle,” namely, Romans 16:22, Colossians 4:16, and 1 Thessalonians 5:27. A fourth could possibly be added, 1 Corinthians 5:9. Only once, in a very clear context, does it refer to a former letter (2 Corinthians 7:8).

Note that man — The form of the verb implies a mutual action of warning each other about him: “Agree to set a mark on him, to make him a marked man.” The idea is to make him easily recognizable, so that no Christian would associate with him unknowingly . The word and the thought in Romans 16:17 are slightly different. The best manuscripts continue abruptly, without a connecting word: “Note that man; have no company with him.” This social exclusion from the fellowship of good people, not to mention the Sacraments, would, for a Christian in a pagan city, truly be a delivering to Satan—a thrusting into outer darkness.

That he may be ashamed — That is, so he is put to shame. Compare 1 Corinthians 6:5, 1 Corinthians 15:34, and Titus 2:8. For the purpose this shame is meant to serve, compare also the opening of the “Commination of Sinners” service.