⁶Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from every brother who leads an unruly life and not according to the tradition which you received from us.

Since we are under God’s grace and not under law we are no longer to live by the do’s and don’ts of human commandments (see Col. 2:20–23). In terms of salvation, that is correct; we can do nothing to merit our salvation (Eph. 2:8–9). Yet in Christian living there are certainly Christian commands. The one who instructed us to continue in our Christian walk in the same way as we received salvation—by grace (Col. 2:6)—was not contradictory in making certain aspects of the Christian walk mandatory! His commands do not negate grace but inform how grace should work out in our lives.

Paul uses the word “command” to indicate that what he says here is non-optional. Living by grace does not mean everyone can do what is right in his or her own eyes; that would reflect the attitude of Israel during the time of the Judges (Jud. 17:6, 21:25). Christians are called to something far better than a freedom to “do their own thing.” Paul lays down a non-negotiable principle, and he expects that all who walk by grace will submit to it. He gives commands (using the same Greek word), not just this one time but on a number of occasions: concerning marriage (1 Cor. 7:10, 17), gainful employment (1 Thess. 4:11, 2 Thess. 3:10, 12), false teaching (1 Tim. 1:3), etc. Yes, living by grace has divinely mandated guidelines. Here Paul intensifies this command by saying he makes it “in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

What would invoke such a stern directive? In the present context, Paul speaks of dealing with an “unruly” Christian. In his first letter to the Thessalonians, he told them to admonish the unruly believer (1 Thess. 5:14). Now a strong action is required. That Paul has a believer in mind is taken from his address of him as a “brother.” The term “unruly” has the sense of acting contrary or without respect to established custom or order. Paul refers to an undisciplined or lazy Christian who freeloads off of others, or even someone who is a “busybody” (see 2 Thess. 5:10–11).

There comes a time that, when a believer refuses to change his ways, more than admonishment is required. A pulling back from fellowship is needed. Paul wrote similarly to other churches (see 1 Cor. 5:11, Rom. 16:17). Sad is the day when believers must distance themselves from fellow believers who abuse God’s grace and presume upon His faithfulness. But it must be done—God commands it through His inspired Word. And He is faithful to His Word.

Lord, help me never to abuse Your grace with superficial faith.