2Th 3:6 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for 2Thess 3:6-15: 3:6-15 In his previous letter, Paul had addressed the problem of lazy members of the church who refused to work (1 Thes 4:11-12 ; 5:14 ). Some had ignored his message and example, so he gives additional instruction for dealing with these members. 3:6 Paul’s command is given by the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thes 4:2 ). • Church members should shun Christians who live idle lives (see 2 Thes 3:7 , 11-13 ; 1 Thes 5:14 ). To stay away from the lazy would make a strong impression on them (Matt 18:17 ; Rom 16:17 ; 1 Cor 5:9-13 ), promoting shame (2 Thes 3:14 ) and repentance, but stopping short of excommunication (3:15 ).

a3:6-15►

b1 Thes 4:11-12►

c5:14►

d3:6►

e1 Thes 4:2►

f2 Thes 3:7►

g11-13►

h1 Thes 5:14►

iMatt 18:17►

jRom 16:17►

k1 Cor 5:9-13►

l2 Thes 3:14►

m3:15►

‏ 2 Thessalonians 3:6

Summary for 2Thess 3:6-15: 3:6-15 ^a In his previous letter, Paul had addressed the problem of lazy members of the church who refused to work (1 Thes 4:11-12 ^b; 5:14 ^c). Some had ignored his message and example, so he gives additional instruction for dealing with these members. 3:6 ^d Paul’s command is given by the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thes 4:2 ^e).

• Church members should shun Christians who live idle lives (see 2 Thes 3:7 ^f, 11-13 ^g; 1 Thes 5:14 ^h). To stay away from the lazy would make a strong impression on them (Matt 18:17 ⁱ; Rom 16:17 ^j; 1 Cor 5:9-13 ^k), promoting shame (2 Thes 3:14 ^l) and repentance, but stopping short of excommunication (3:15 ^m).