Disorderly Christians: 2 Thessalonians 3:6-18, especially vss. 14, 15: "And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother." In Second Thessalonians, the Apostle tells us why the Lord Jesus will return from heaven: "to give you who are troubled rest...taking vengeance on those who do not know God and...obey the gospel" (2 Thess. 1:7,8). From Paul's wording some have inferred that the Lord is coming again soon.
However, two-thousand years after St. Paul's time, we know the Lord has not yet returned. Still, what the Apostle conveys is a certainty - Jesus will return. Therefore, the life in Christ is marked by spiritual urgency, since the Lord's return remains imminent. Besides, the Lord Jesus Himself taught us that we cannot know times and dates and to be ready (Acts 1:7).
What is more, if we face our certain death, a reality 'close' to all of us, urgency and readiness become very pertinent; for remember: at physical death, even before "the righteous [final] judgment of God" (2 Thess. 1:5), the eternal destiny of each person is settled (Heb. 9:27).
Among the Christians at Thessalonica, some had drawn wrong conclusions concerning the Lord's return and present life - that there was no point in working to support themselves since this life would soon end. Then, with no income to buy food, these people were eating other's bread and burdening their fellow Christians (2 Thess. 3:8). Also, with nothing to occupy their time, they were busying themselves in other people's affairs (vs. 11). The congregation sought St. Paul's counsel for coping with these burdensome, disorderly, and disruptive people.
The Apostle's counsel remains quite pertinent today, for in every generation there are those brethren who abuse the goodwill of their communities. Let us see what applications we may gain from the Apostle's answers. After all, who does not know disorderly people in his congregation, and who does not know busybody, disorderly, and burdensome brethren?
St. Paul clearly teaches us to "withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition" (vs. 6). There are good reasons for not keeping "company" (vs. 14) with those who take advantage of others. First: the more time and energy invested in the disorderly, the more such persons are encouraged to be inappropriate (vs. 14). Second, one may suddenly discover that he himself has become part of the problem, for one's efforts with the disorderly often fuel their psychological and spiritual confusion. It is easy to fall into the trap of "being helpful" and wind up exacerbating the problem (vs. 10). Third: our frustration may build up if we persist in "trying to help," increasing the likelihood of our being drawn in to quarreling or abusing. Withdrawal is best - to be quiet and tend to our own business (vss. 7,12,13).
The Apostle states a dictum which has become proverbial in dealing with those who will not apply themselves in this life: "If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat" (vs. 10). But let the application of this pronouncement have a motive grounded in love: to shame the offender into repenting (vs. 14). Further, St. Paul encourages us to admonish erring members, but to do so as one would a brother - with concern and love. Confrontation devoid of 'tough love' is bound to be counter productive. Thus, let us take care to admonish constructively and prayerfully.
Finally, while we need to help freeloaders be accountable to the Lord, still let us never neglect to protect the truly needy and dependent. We should not classify them with those who deliberately will not work. Remember the Apostle's reminder - not to "grow weary in doing good" (vs. 13). And may the Lord of Peace Himself give peace in all our communities!
O Lord, may all members of Thy Body be led into the way of truth and righteousness.