Matthew Poole and continuators on 2 Thessalonians 3:15

15 Yet count him not as an enemy , but admonish him as a brother .

They having thus proceeded against the disorderly and disobedient, the Apostle directs them about their after carriage, which either respects their inward opinion of the mind, or outward action. They should not count him an Enemy, putting a great difference betwixt an offending Brother, and a professed Enemy. They ought not to hate him as an Enemy, not look upon him as upon such who out of enmity to the Gospel persecute Christianity, nor to have an unreconcileable mind towards him.

And as to outward action, should admonish him as a Brother. It is either private or publick, Ministerial or Fraternal, gentle, or severe, joyn'd with commination. The Greeks express it in the degrees of it by three words, [non-Latin text not transcribed]. The word in the Text signifies a putting in mind. They were to put the offender in mind of his sin, and in mind of his duty. Though they were to have no company with him, in a way of familiarity, yet to be in his company, so as to admonish him; and the admonition here meant is either publick, in the Church, or private, or first private then publick, as our Saviour gives the rule, Mat. 18.17. So that his Repentance is to be endeavoured, not only by abstaining his company, but by admonition. And it is to be performed to him as a brother, which either respects the state of the person admonisht. He is not an Enemy, or Pagan, or one out of the visible Church, but a Brother, whereby some conceive that the Apostle had not before spoken of his Excommunication. Or it respects the way of admonition. It is to be performed with love, tenderness and compassion, as to a brother, not to upbraid him, but to gain him, as Mat. 18.15. If he hear thee thou hast gained thy brother. And for that end great prudence is to be used. The temper of the offenders, the quality of the sin, their outward condition in the world, their age, yea, the circumstances of time and place are to be considered.