Do not associate with people who do not follow Paul's instructions in this letter. That is a sharp command. Paul says that this action might make them feel ashamed. Shunning and shaming as tools of discipleship. I must admit that I have never thought of those two actions in such a manner.
Shunning has powerful sociological and psychological effects. No one wants to be seen as outside of the crowd. Nobody wants to feel shame. Pressing individuals toward conformity through social and psychological manipulation sounds scary because of abuses we all know of, but . . . they are powerful tools in the hands of a craftsman.
One of the unfortunate realities of today's church is that we are more a gathering of individuals than a gathering of the family of God. As individuals we can live lives independent of our church family. In Paul's mind we are all part of the Body of Christ and members one with another. Our individuality is real, but just like a newborn in a family is both an individual and a member of the family so are we in Christ.
Verse 15 says that we should not utilize these tools as if the person were an "enemy" but rather as a "brother." We should warn our brother by our actions.
So if we do not follow Paul's instruction to shun and shame our brother, should we be shunned?
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