2 Thessalonians 3:6
What does 2 Thessalonians 3:6 mean?
A plain-English look at 2 Thessalonians 3:6 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 2 Thessalonians 3:6 means
Paul now issues a command with full authority: in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, withdraw from any brother who walks disorderly and refuses the apostolic pattern. The issue is not trivial differences, but persistent, willful refusal to live according to the teaching and example they received. “Disorderly” suggests a life out of step—here, chiefly idleness and meddling. Separation is a sober, corrective measure, not vindictive punishment. It signals that such conduct harms the church’s witness and must not be normalized. The goal is to awaken the offender to shame and repentance by removing the fellowship that his behavior undermines.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Now 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Now 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 he received of us.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Now 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Now we give you orders, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from all those whose behaviour is not well ordered and in harmony with the teaching which they had from us.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to withdraw yourselves from every brother disorderly walking, and not after the deliverance that ye received from us,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And we charge you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw yourselves from every brother walking disorderly and not according to the tradition which they have received of us.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Now we enjoin you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw from every brother walking disorderly and not according to the instruction which he received from us.
Context
After praying for love and endurance, Paul moves to the central practical problem in Thessalonica—idle, undisciplined living. Verse 6 introduces the disciplinary theme that will run through verses 7–15. He grounds the command in Christ’s authority and contrasts it with the “tradition” (teaching and example) the church received. Next, he will remind them of his own conduct as a model (verses 7–9) and restate the basic work principle they had taught from the beginning (verse 10).
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Corinthians 5:4
in the name of our Lord Jesus, ye being gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus,
- Ephesians 4:17
This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye no longer walk as the Gentiles also walk, in the vanity of their mind,
- Colossians 3:17
And whatsoever ye do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
- 1 Timothy 5:21
I charge thee in the sight of God, and Christ Jesus, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing by partiality.
- 2 Thessalonians 2:15
So then, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye were taught, whether by word, or by epistle of ours.
- Hebrews 12:15
looking carefully lestthere beany man that falleth short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby the many be defiled;
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