Note 14 at 2 Th. 3:15: Notice the specific instruction not to treat these persons with animosity. They are still brothers and sisters in the Lord and should always be treated as such. This makes this whole process corrective instead of punitive. This is the key ingredient to church discipline which is often missed and has caused so much hurt and rejection.

When correctly administered, church discipline should actually manifest the love of Christ to those receiving it. The actions taken may be severe but if done in love for the purpose of correction, the individual who is being corrected should not feel like an enemy.

The word "admonish" differs from punishment in that it means a mild rebuke, also to warn, urge, or caution. Therefore, Paul is not speaking of humiliation or total devastation. This is not an opportunity for carnal Christians to release their anger on their brothers and sisters in the Lord (see the notes about church discipline in ref. c at v. 14).