Church discipline is a concept that many Christians have heard about, but not all fully understand. It is a process through which the church maintains its holiness and helps believers grow in their relationship with God. Discipline is not meant to be harsh or punitive, but restorative and corrective. In this article, we will explore 21 Bible verses that speak about the importance of church discipline, providing a biblical foundation for why and how the church should practice it.
What is Church Discipline?
Church discipline refers to the practice of guiding and correcting members of the church who have strayed from the teachings of Christ or are living in unrepentant sin. The ultimate goal of discipline is not to punish, but to restore the believer to a right relationship with God and the community. The Bible provides clear instructions on how to handle various situations of sin within the church.
Discipline should be done with love, humility, and gentleness, always with the hope that the person will repent and be restored. The following verses highlight the biblical foundation and principles of church discipline, showing its purpose and how it should be carried out.
1. Matthew 18:15-17
“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.”
These verses lay out the steps of church discipline, starting with a private conversation. If the person does not repent, the matter should be brought to others, and if necessary, to the whole church. If they still refuse to repent, they should be treated as someone outside the faith, meaning they are removed from fellowship. This process emphasizes the importance of restoration and reconciliation.
2. Galatians 6:1
“Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.”
Here, Paul instructs the church to restore those caught in sin, but it must be done with gentleness. Church discipline should not be about condemning but about helping the individual back to a right relationship with God, with care for the person’s spiritual well-being.
3. 1 Corinthians 5:1-5
“It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans, for a man has his father’s wife. And you are arrogant! Ought you not rather to mourn? Let him who has done this be removed from among you. For though absent in body, I am present in spirit, and as if present, I have already pronounced judgment on the one who did such a thing. When you are assembled in the name of the Lord Jesus and my spirit is present, with the power of our Lord Jesus, you are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord.”
In this passage, Paul addresses a serious case of immorality within the Corinthian church. He calls for the offender to be removed from the church in hopes of bringing about repentance. The purpose of this extreme measure is for the individual’s salvation, as church discipline is ultimately about restoring the sinner, not about punishment.
4. 2 Thessalonians 3:14-15
“If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed. Do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.”
This verse teaches that if someone refuses to follow the apostolic teachings, they should be disciplined. However, the goal is not to treat them as an enemy but as a brother, warning them so that they might repent and return to the truth.
5. 1 Timothy 1:20
“Among whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.”
Paul mentions two individuals who were excommunicated, handed over to Satan, in hopes that they would repent. This illustrates that church discipline can sometimes involve excommunication for the sake of restoration.
6. Titus 3:10-11
“As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.”
This verse addresses the need to deal with divisive people in the church. After multiple warnings, if a person continues to stir up division, they should be separated from the church. The goal is to maintain unity and peace within the body of Christ.
7. 1 Corinthians 5:6-7
“Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.”
Here, Paul uses the metaphor of leaven to describe how sin can spread within the church if not addressed. Church discipline is necessary to maintain the purity of the church, as allowing sin to persist can negatively affect the entire congregation.
8. Matthew 18:18-20
“Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”
In these verses, Jesus gives the church authority to bind and loose, particularly in matters of discipline. This authority comes with responsibility, and the church must exercise it with care and in alignment with God’s will.
9. 1 Corinthians 5:11
“But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one.”
Paul instructs the Corinthians to avoid fellowship with someone who claims to be a Christian but is living in unrepentant sin. This separation is not meant to punish, but to encourage repentance and restoration.
10. Hebrews 12:6
“For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.”
This verse underscores the loving nature of discipline. Just as God disciplines His children for their good, the church is called to discipline its members with love, aiming for their spiritual growth and maturity.
11. 2 Corinthians 2:6-8
“For such a one, this punishment by the majority is enough, so you should rather turn to forgive and comfort him, or he may be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. So I beg you to reaffirm your love for him.”
After a person has been disciplined and repented, the church is encouraged to forgive and restore them. This highlights the importance of not only carrying out discipline but also showing grace and forgiveness once the person has turned back to the Lord.
12. 1 Peter 4:17
“For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?”
This verse shows that judgment begins with the church. Church discipline is part of God’s plan to purify His people and demonstrate the seriousness of sin.
13. Revelation 3:19
“Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.”
Jesus speaks to the church in Laodicea, calling them to repentance through discipline. This reinforces the idea that discipline is a form of love and care, even when it is uncomfortable.
14. 1 Timothy 5:20
“As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear.”
Paul advises Timothy to publicly rebuke those who persist in sin. Public rebuke serves as a warning to others in the church and demonstrates the seriousness of sin.
15. James 5:19-20
“My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.”
This passage highlights the importance of restoring those who have wandered from the truth. Church discipline is not about condemnation, but about saving souls and bringing people back to the truth.
16. 1 Corinthians 11:31-32
“But if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged. But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world.”
Here, Paul speaks about self-examination and how God disciplines His people to prevent them from falling into judgment. Church discipline serves as a preventive measure for spiritual well-being.
17. 2 Corinthians 13:2
“I warned those who sinned before and all the others, and I warn them now while absent, as I did when present, that if I come again I will not spare them.”
Paul gives a stern warning about unrepentant sin. Church discipline must be taken seriously to maintain the integrity of the church.
18. 1 Corinthians 5:13
“God judges those outside. ‘Purge the evil person from among you.’”
Paul makes it clear that the responsibility for judging and disciplining members of the church lies with the church itself. Purging sin from the congregation is part of maintaining the holiness of the body.
19. Matthew 7:3-5
“Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.”
Before engaging in church discipline, we must first examine ourselves. Church discipline should be exercised with humility, acknowledging our own sinfulness while helping others.
20. Acts 5:1-11
The story of Ananias and Sapphira shows the seriousness with which God views sin within the church. Their deception led to immediate discipline, demonstrating that the church must maintain its purity.
21. 1 Corinthians 4:14
“I do not write these things to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children.”
Paul’s approach to discipline was always motivated by love. He wanted to correct and admonish, not shame. This is the spirit in which all church discipline should be carried out.
Conclusion
Church discipline is an essential practice for maintaining the health and purity of the body of Christ. It is not about condemnation, but restoration. The Bible calls us to address sin within the church with love, gentleness, and a desire for the person’s repentance and reconciliation with God. While the process can be difficult, the goal is always the spiritual well-being of the individual and the church as a whole. Through church discipline, we show that we care for one another and are committed to living out the holiness to which God has called us.
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