2 Thessalonians 3:6

6. we command you—Hereby he puts to a particular test their obedience in general to his commands, which obedience he had recognized in :-.

withdraw—literally, "to furl the sails"; as we say, to steer clear of (compare 2 Thessalonians 3:14). Some had given up labor as though the Lord's day was immediately coming. He had enjoined mild censure of such in 2 Thessalonians 3:14- :, "Warn . . . the unruly"; but now that the mischief had become more confirmed, he enjoins stricter discipline, namely, withdrawal from their company (compare 1 Corinthians 5:11; 2 John 1:10; 2 John 1:11): not a formal sentence of excommunication, such as was subsequently passed on more heinous offenders (as in 1 Corinthians 5:5; 1 Timothy 1:20). He says "brother," that is, professing Christian; for in the case of unprofessing heathen, believers needed not be so strict (1 Timothy 1:20- :).

disorderly—Paul plainly would not have sanctioned the order of Mendicant Friars, who reduce such a "disorderly" and lazy life to a system. Call it not an order, but a burden to the community (BENGEL, alluding to the Greek, 1 Timothy 1:20- :, for "be chargeable," literally, "be a burden").

the tradition—the oral instruction which he had given to them when present (1 Timothy 1:20- :), and subsequently committed to writing (1 Thessalonians 4:11; 1 Thessalonians 4:12).

which he received of us—Some oldest manuscripts read, "ye received"; others, "they received." The English Version reading has no very old authority.