1.
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“If any man teach otherwise”: The warning here
should be limited to the “teacher”, the active trafficker in some
sort of error (the context should tell us what sort). It should not necessarily
apply to the passive, ill-informed hearer or receiver of such error. Neither
should it apply to the ecclesia established on a sound basis that may number
among its members one who teaches a different doctrine. There is absolutely no
thought here about the disfellowship of a whole ecclesia for its failure to
disfellowship an errorist!
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2.
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The “doctrine”, in the Scriptural sense
“teaching”, against which Paul warns is a moral teaching contrary to
godliness. Verses 1-5 should be taken as a whole: if any man counsels slaves to
disobey their masters (v. 1) or to shirk their duties (v. 2), or if he proudly
refuses righteous instruction, being envious and perverse (v. 4), or if he
supposes that “gain is godliness” (v. 5), then this type of man
should be marked.
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3.
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The phrase “From such withdraw thyself” is omitted
altogether in most versions, including the Diaglott, RV, RSV, NEB, and NIV! Can
we really be sure that these words are valid?
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4.
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There is little if any Bible precedent for using the word
“withdraw” to describe the disfellowship of erring brethren. But to
some it is a very attractive word, because it seems to convey an open-mindedness
with regard to “judging” one’s brethren. In other words,
‘We do not condemn you nor cut you off. We simply withdraw from you as a
matter of conscience.’ But this is really trifling with words. Of course,
in the final sense, we cannot cut anyone off from Christ. If, however, we
“withdraw” from our brethren, we do cut them off from our personal
association, and no amount of careful wording can relieve us of the
responsibility of such action — either for good or ill. The possibility of
wrongdoing in hasty or improper excommunication (this is the more Biblical
term!) is not mitigated by referring to the same act by a milder word. (The same
point applies to the use of that euphemistic invention “stand
aside”!)
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5.
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Even if the questionable phrase is allowed to stand, it may
signify that Timothy was to withdraw himself from such ideas as the love of
gain, and strife and disputings. Paul’s basic thought is continued in vv.
6-10, and summarized by the warning in v. 11: “Flee these things”.
This is a far cry from “withdrawing” from the brethren guilty of
such things (T. Haltom and G. Booker, Godliness With Contentment, p.
120).
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6.
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Those things that Paul condemns sound, strangely, very much
like the qualities most common among many ecclesial agitators for “pure
fellowship”:
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1.
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“Consenting not to wholesome [or healthful]
words”: Often brethren consumed with a passionate hatred for some single
“false doctrine” lose sight of the destructive effect their words
and actions are having on others. Their constant contention may militate against
the growth of the qualities that make for edification and godliness in the body
as a whole.
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2.
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“Proud, knowing nothing”: These are those who pose
as Bible students, often without realizing the extent of their own ignorance.
Ecclesial life has not infrequently been plagued by such men.
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3.
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“Doting about questions”: The subject matter of
many Christadelphian divisions can be seen, in retrospect, to have consisted of
too much speculation in unprofitable questions, and of too long concentration on
a very narrow area of interest while failing to appreciate the “big
picture”.
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4.
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“Strifes of words” — logomachia —
“word-battles”. Much trouble has come upon the brotherhood during
the last century in just this form. Problems have arisen because of carelessness
in the use of words, unwillingness to clarify meanings, and the tossing back and
forth of slogans and epithets which may unfairly characterize the beliefs of
others. Phrases like “clean flesh”, “Adamic
condemnation”, “open door”, “enlightened
rejector”, and a host of other technical trivia become the touchstones of
controversy, with devastating results. Ordinary brethren are swept along and
drowned in a sea of uncertainty — wondering who is right and who is
wrong.
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5.
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“Envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings”:
“Word-wars” bring all these qualities to the fore. They encourage
brethren to deceive, to misrepresent, and to foster suspicions against their
“adversaries”. “Word-wars” set battle lines, sides are
chosen, cliques are formed. Sadly it reminds us of the world of political
intrigue, with which no true believer should have any connection. “From
such withdraw thyself.”
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