Bible Strands
2 Thessalonians 3:15
Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul addresses the Thessalonian church, directing them on how to treat a specific member who disregards the letter's commands. He issues this instruction immediately after prescribing non-association intended to produce shame.
The words — The Greek νουθετεῖτε (noutheteite) literally means "do admonish," while ἡγεῖσθε (hēgeisthe) translates to "do esteem" or "regard." The text explicitly commands believers not to regard the offender as an ἐχθρὸν (echthron), or "enemy," but to maintain a brotherly posture.
The thread — This corrective stance aligns with the disciplinary process in 1 Corinthians 5:5, the repeated warning in Titus 3:10, and the parallel command to admonish the unruly in 1 Thessalonians 5:14.
Why it lands — The verse requires believers to enforce church boundaries while explicitly rejecting hostile classification of the disobedient. It asks readers to issue corrective warnings without abandoning the relational identity of brotherhood.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.
Cross-references
- Titus 3:10 Reject a divisive man after a first and second admonition,
- 1 Corinthians 5:5 hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the Day of the Lord.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:14 And we urge you, brothers, to admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, and be patient with everyone.
- 1 Corinthians 4:14 I am not writing this to shame you, but to warn you as my beloved children.
- Galatians 6:1 Brothers, if someone is caught in a trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him with a spirit of gentleness. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.
- Proverbs 9:9 Instruct a wise man, and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man, and he will increase his learning.
- Proverbs 25:12 Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is a wise man’s rebuke to a listening ear.
- Matthew 18:15 If your brother sins against you, go and confront him privately. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over.
- 2 Corinthians 13:10 This is why I write these things while absent, so that when I am present I will not need to be severe in my use of the authority that the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down.
- 2 Corinthians 2:6 The punishment imposed on him by the majority is sufficient for him.