Desiring to see these people remain steadfast in their faith, Paul not only speaks of their need of the Lord’s faithfulness but also their responsibility to avoid evil influences (v6-13). One of the great instruments of the early church to keep their people running on was discipline. Those who were drifting away from right belief or practice were warned and then distanced from by other believers. This may sound to us very severe but it was the God-ordained and very effective way of restoring the straying. Love at times needs to be very gentle, but at other times for openly sinful behaviour it needs to be very firm.

Paul could speak of disciplining Christians as his life was beyond reproach. His life was an example for others to follow (v7-9). Paul wants these people to imitate his life and not the lives of these lazy busybodies (v10-13). Do we imitate Paul or the busybodies?

In a final note regarding these busybodies he wants to protect against unloving discipline (v14-15). They must ‘admonish him as a brother’. The church can make the mistake of not admonishing or in doing it so as to treat the Christian as the enemy. Both must be avoided.