Church Discipline

Church Discipline¹
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Dr. Paul Manuel—2013

Because of most people's natural tendency to avoid confrontation, church discipline is often neglected in congregations today.² As a result, what may begin as small matters, minor disagreements or moral lapses, go unchallenged and unresolved. Left unattended, such issues can escalate and expand to touch a greater number of people, adversely affecting overall unity and productivity. This can lead to discouragement and dissatisfaction among members, who may leave the congregation or even split the church. Either way, the "body of Christ" suffers.³

• The primary instruction for church discipline is where Jesus tells the disciples how to conduct it (Matt 18:15-17).

Matt 18:15 If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. 16 But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.' 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.

Jesus' remedy entails a series of steps that expand the circle of those involved incrementally, pressuring the offender to concede the problem and correct it. Should the offender steadfastly reject all appeals and refuse to repent, the only option left is to remove him from the group. That is only possible, of course, if he bears some official connection to the church (e.g., membership).

• The primary illustration of church discipline is where Paul tells the Corinthians how to conduct it (1 Cor 5:1-7, 11-13).

1 Cor 5:1 It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that does not occur even among pagans: A man has his father's wife. 2 And you are proud! Shouldn't you rather have been filled with grief and have put out of your fellowship the man who did this? 3 Even though I am not physically present, I am with you in spirit. And I have already passed judgment on the one who did this, just as if I were present. 4 When you are assembled in the name of our Lord Jesus and I am with you in spirit, and the power of our Lord Jesus is present, 5 hand this man over to Satan, so that the sinful nature may be destroyed and his spirit saved on the day of the Lord.... 6 Your boasting is not good. Don't you know that a little yeast works through the whole batch of dough? 7a Get rid of the old yeast that you may be a new batch without yeast—as you really are.... 11 But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat. 12 What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? 13 God Will judge those outside. "Expel the wicked man from among you."

While church discipline may help restore the offender ("that...his spirit [may be saved" v. 5b),⁴ its primary function is to to restore the church (purgative: "that you may be a new batch without yeast" v. 7a), either to doctrinal purity or, as here, to moral purity.⁵

Church discipline can take one of several forms, depending on the severity of the offense, whether a greater or lesser indisputable matter, where God's will is clear, or in a disputable matter, where God's will may not be clear.

• For a greater indisputable matter, warn the offender then excommunicate him, restoring him if he repents.⁶

• Sexual immorality (1 Cor 5:1-5, 11-13)

1 Cor 5:1 It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that does not occur even among pagans: A man has his father's wife. 2 And you are proud! Shouldn't you rather have been filled with grief and have put out of your fellowship the man who did this? ...4 When you are assembled in the name of our Lord Jesus and I am with you in spirit, and the power of our Lord Jesus is present, 5 hand this man over to Satan, so that the sinful nature may be destroyed and his spirit saved on the day of the Lord.... 11 But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat. 12 What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? 13 God will judge those outside. "Expel the wicked man from among you."

• Blasphemy (1 Tim 1:18-20)

1 Tim 1:18 Timothy, my son, I give you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by following them you may fight the good fight, 19 holding on to faith and a good conscience. Some have rejected these and so have shipwrecked their faith. 20 Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme.

• Unspecified offense (Gal 6:1)⁷

Gal 6:1 Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.

• For a lesser indisputable matter, warn the offender and avoid him.

• Indolence (2 Thess 3:1415)⁸

2 Thess 3:14 If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of him. Do not associate with him, in order that he may feel ashamed. 15 Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.

• Divisiveness (Titus 3:10-11)⁹

Titus 3:10 Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him. 11 You may be sure that such a man is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.

• For a lesser indisputable matter involving a church leader, verify the matter then rebuke him (publicly).¹⁰

• Unspecified offense (1 Tim 5:19-20)

1 Tim 5:19 Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses.¹¹ 20 Those who sin are to be rebuked publicly, so that the others may take warning.

• For a disputable matter, accept the offender.

• Unspecified offense (Rom 14:1)

Rom 14:1 Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters.

People in general are reluctant to address conflict, and Christians may be even less inclined to do so, citing Paul's call for unity in the Ephesian church.¹²

Eph 4:3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

What believers often fail to realize is that this admonition forms part of a greater concern that places purity at the forefront.

Eph 4:14 ...no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.... 17 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking.

Despite the reluctance people have to address conflict, and the hope many harbor that disputes will eventually dissipate and disappear, Christians must not think that calm relations take precedence over correct beliefs. While it is important to promote church unity, that concern must not supplant church purity, whether moral or doctrinal.¹³

For the Bibliography and Endnotes, see the pdf here.