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Translation
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What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
John Chrysostom
"Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother." By this he shows that he has assigned a heavy punishment against him, in depriving him of freedom of conversation. For if to be a receiver even with many others is worthy of disgrace, when they even reprove whilst they offer it, and withdraw themselves, how great is the reproach, quite sufficient to sting the soul. …
Theophylact of Ohrid
Just as above, having said "let him who does not work not eat," the apostle feared that such people might perish entirely from hunger, and therefore added, "but you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good," so now, having said "do not associate with him," he feared that this might completely separate him from the brotherhood, as one who has despaired of himself. …
Polycarp of Smyrna
I am greatly grieved for Valens, who was once a presbyter among you, because he so little understands the place that was given him [in the Church]. I exhort you, therefore, that ye abstain from covetousness, and that ye be chaste and truthful. "Abstain from every form of evil." For if a man cannot govern himself in such matters, how shall he enjoin them on others? If a man does not keep himself from covetousness, he shall be defiled by idolatry, and shall be judged as one of the heathen. …
Western Saints
Augustine of Hippo
Here it is as though doves are quarreling together. The apostle said, "If anyone fails to obey our word by this letter, mark that person and do not mix with him." There's the quarrel. But notice how it's a quarrel of doves, not of wolves. He immediately added, "And do not regard him as an enemy, but rebuke him as a brother." A dove is loving even when it is beating; a wolf hates even when it is being charming.
Gregory the Dialogist
Whence the same apostle again admonishes his disciples, saying, "If any man obey not our word, note that man by this epistle; and have no company with him, that he may be confounded." And straightway he added, "Yet count him not as an enemy, but reprove him as a brother." As if to say, Break ye outward peace with him, but guard in your heart's core internal peace concerning him; that your discord with him may so smite the mind of the sinner that peace depart not from your hearts even though denied to him.
Thomas Aquinas
Now the goal and intention should be his correction, which love intends, so he says "yet do not esteem him as an enemy," because his correction should not arise from hateful spite but from a loving eagerness. You should not avoid him out of the sort of hatred you would have for an enemy. "Love your enemies, and do good to those who hate you" (Matt 5:44). And this is why he says "but admonish him as a brother." This shows love. "Behold how good and pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity" (Ps 133:1).
Translation