Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 2 Thessalonians 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 they received of us." — 2 Thessalonians 3:6 (ASV)

Now Paul comes to his command regarding the idle. That he invokes “the name of the Lord Jesus Christ” shows the urgency of the command. All those who remain idle are to be denied the privilege of associating with their fellow Christians. “Idle” (GK 865) translates a word meaning “disorderly” (cf. 1 Thessalonians 5:14). The disorder defined by the remainder of the paragraph is loafing, being remiss in daily work and conduct. This is contrary to the “teaching” that Paul had given them earlier (cf. 1 Thessalonians 4:11–12; 5:14). No excuse could justify such misconduct. Paul therefore advocates the drastic discipline of keeping away from the “idle.”