SEPARATION - HOW FAR TO GO WITH OTHER BELIEVERS

2 Thess. 3:14-15

Morning Meditation 1/20/2013

“And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.”

First, lets look at the context. Paul had just given instruction to withdraw from the disorderly. The words “withdraw” (stello) means “to abstain from familiar intercourse with one.” This is to be done “in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” This means by his authority. This will limit the distance of separation and the degree. Carnal separation is dishonoring to the Lord and produces division instead of unity. The one to be separated from is identified as a “brother.” This is not separation from the world but from a brother in Christ. The reason for this separation is that he is walking “disorderly” (ataktos) and means “disorderly, out of ranks (often so of soldiers) irregular, inordinate, immoderate pleasures, deviating from the prescribed order or rule.” Now how do we know a brother is “out of ranks” or is involved in “immoderate pleasures” or “deviating from the prescribed order or rule?” Paul adds, “and not after the tradition which he received of us.” The word “tradition” (paradosis) means “what is transmitted.” It refers to the truth that Paul had given them. Truth (God’s Word) is the standard for obedience and fellowship.

In the light of the context our text says, “And if any man” which means that the separation is to include all who are described here. It is hard to separate from friends who are wrong. When this rule is applied discriminately, it does no good. The man who is breaking the rules is being disciplined by one breaking the rules. If we are going to practice this principle, we must separate from “any man” not just the one’s we do not mind separating from. And we must be acting from an obedient life.

The words “obey not our word by this epistle” is the separation standard. The word “obey” (hupakouo) means “to listen, to hearken, of one who on the knock at the door comes to listen who it is, (the duty of a porter).” It is a present active indicative verb. It refers to one who is no longer at the present time listening to the Word of God. Christ is knocking at the door of his life but he no longer goes to the door. The words “our word by this epistle” means that Paul is saying that these words stand as truth and a standard by which every brother should live. If a brother does not listen to or practice these words Paul says, “Note that man.” The word “note” (semeioo) means “to mark, to note, distinguish by marking.” It is a present middle imperative verb. The present tense means continue to do this. It is an attitude that is to be maintained in the present tense of the believers life. The imperative mood is a command that expresses urgency. It is imperative that we mark that man. Not only are we disobedient if we do not, we are subject to the damage the association will cause to our own Christian lives. The middle voice is where the subject participates in the result of the action, i.e., is benefited by the action. Obedience to God’s word will always benefit the believer. What is our relationship to be to those who are disobedient to the Word?

Paul says, “have no company with him” (sunanamignumi) and the word translated means “to mix up together, to keep company with, be intimate with one.” This is also a present middle imperative verb. It is imperative that you mark him as a disobedient Christian and it is imperative that you cease your intimacy with him. You are no longer to mix with him. He may be your best golf partner. He may be your fishing buddy. It may be a family with whom you and you whole family fellowships. In a case like that you will have to sit down with your family and very carefully explain this verse to them and teach them that it is imperative (imperative mood) that they are no longer ones with whom intimate fellowship can be enjoyed, i.e., “keeping company” must be stopped. It is very possible you will catch flack from other family members when you take this stand. Use this as an opportunity to teach. First, teach that there is no alternative to obedience. Second, teach them that the separation is not because “we are better than they” but, because our obedience is neutralized by association. Here is where we have to decide how much we love the Lord and how much we think of what he thinks.

The words “that he may be ashamed” is the goal of the separation. The words “he may be ashamed” (entrepo) is the translation of one word. It means, “to shame one, to be ashamed, to turn about. “It is an aorist passive subjunctive verb. The aorist tense aims at a point of time and the subjunctive mood suggest the possibility when this person can be turned around by the embarrassment of isolation. This believer who once had intimate fellowship with his Christian family feels left out. It is assumed by Paul that this will bother him. He is not at home with his Christian family or in the world either. God can use this to turn him around. As long as he can be disobedient without it costing him fellowship with his spiritual family, what motivation is there to get right?

Next Paul cautions us. He says, “Yet count him not as an enemy.” The word “count” (hegeomai) means “to consider” and is a present middle imperative verb. The word “enemy” (echthros) means “hated, odious, hateful, hostile, hating, and opposing another.” We are not to treat this one as one hated. We are not to be hateful to him. We are not to act in a hostile manner. He is not the opposition. Do not consider him the enemy because he is not.

The words “But admonish him as a brother” bring us back to reality. We are not dealing here with a “Judas,” we talking about one of our family members. This is what we are to do. The word “admonish” (noutheteo) means “to warn, to instruct.” Our “not keeping company” with this person must be associated with teaching. He must be shown that he is being disobedient to the teaching of the Scripture. It is not a disagreement over an opinion. That can happen without any breach of fellowship. Where a person is clearly disobedient to the teaching of the Scripture, it will probably not be too hard to show him. A wrong attitude at this point can make us as wrong as the brother that we have withdrawn from.

It is wrong for us to “keep company” with someone with whom God says that we are to withdraw. It is wrong to withdraw without an explanation and an attempt to recover the brother. Even after we have withdrawn, we should make attempts as the Lord provides opportunities to bring the brother back into a right walk with God. Remember the brother’s reconciliation is not with you. It is with the Lord. You didn’t cease to keep company because he had offended you. He offended the Lord. If a man is right with God, he should be right with us.

Now this “not keeping company” has nothing to do with speaking. It had nothing to do with this brother’s attendance in Church. What is in question is this passage is intimate fellowship. There is a separation between believers that does not extend to Church discipline. The way for the fellowship to be restored is for the disobedient to get his life straightened out with the Lord. When this happens, he is automatically restored to us. We can go back to the golf course, fishing and picnicking. Amen.

God bless you

In Christ

Bro. White