The Bible has a lot to say about church discipline. At its core, church discipline is about maintaining purity and unity within the church. It involves correcting and rebuking members who are living in unrepentant sin, with the goals of bringing them to repentance and protecting the church from their influence. Here is an overview of some key biblical principles regarding church discipline:
1. Confronting sin
The Bible teaches that sin should not be tolerated or ignored within the church. We are to gently confront and rebuke fellow believers who are caught in sin (Galatians 6:1). The purpose is to call them to repentance and restore them to a right relationship with God and others. If they refuse to listen, further action may need to be taken (Matthew 18:15-17).
2. Treating the unrepentant as unbelievers
If a professing Christian continues in sin unrepentantly, they are to be treated as an unbeliever. We are instructed not to associate with them but rather to exclude and expel them from the fellowship of the church (1 Corinthians 5:9-13). This treats them as an outsider and protects the church from their influence. The hope is they will be shamed into repenting (2 Thessalonians 3:14).
3. Excommunication
In extreme cases, excommunication may be necessary. This involves formally excluding and removing an unrepentant member from the church (Matthew 18:17; 1 Corinthians 5:4-5). It treats them as outside the kingdom of God and delivers them over to Satan in hopes that this destruction of the flesh will save their soul. The purpose is to purge evil from the church and call the offender to repentance (1 Corinthians 5:5).
4. Forgiveness and restoration
The goal should always be repentance, forgiveness, and restoration. Discipline aims for the good of the offender. Therefore, if they repent and turn from their sin, they are to be warmly welcomed back into fellowship (2 Corinthians 2:5-8). Believers are to be quick to forgive, comfort, and reaffirm their love for a repentant offender (2 Corinthians 2:7).
5. Impartiality
Discipline must be carried out impartially, without regard for status or rank (1 Timothy 5:20-21). All believers, leaders included, are subject to discipline if they persistently sin and refuse to repent. The church should reflect God’s justice and holiness, with righteous standards applying equally to all.
6. Careful process
The Bible gives careful instructions about the discipline process. It should be done gently, in a spirit of restoration (Galatians 6:1). Accusations shouldn’t be received unless supported by two or three witnesses (1 Timothy 5:19). The church should evaluate each situation with wisdom, always being motivated by love (2 Corinthians 2:4).
7. Preserving purity and unity
A key purpose of discipline is to preserve the church’s purity and unity. Sin corrupts the people of God and threatens the reputation of the church. By removing unrepentant sinners, the church reflects God’s holiness and avoids the destructive impact of sin (1 Corinthians 5:6-8). It promotes harmony and upholds the authority of scriptural standards.
8. Causing fear
Biblical discipline aims to cause a fear of sinning among church members (1 Timothy 5:20). When discipline is exercised appropriately, people see the serious consequences of sin and are motivated to pursue holiness. They wish to avoid similar correction or censure.
9. Purging evil
Church discipline is an act of spiritual purification, purging the evil from among God’s people (Deuteronomy 17:7; 1 Corinthians 5:13). The Bible uses graphic language, urging us to “cut off” unrepentant sinners and remove the “leaven” that corrupts the whole church (Matthew 18:8-9; 1 Corinthians 5:6-7).
10. Protecting the reputation of Christ
Finally, proper discipline protects the reputation of Christ and prevents the world from speaking evil of the church. When sin goes unchecked in the church, it brings reproach on Christ. But when sin is dealt with, the church witnesses to the world by reflecting God’s righteousness and justice (Romans 2:24; 1 Peter 2:12).
In summary, the Bible clearly prescribes discipline to protect the purity of the church and spur sinners to repentance. It serves vital purposes for the health of individual believers and the corporate body of Christ. Church leaders are responsible to exercise discipline carefully, graciously, and according to biblical principles.
Some key passages on church discipline include: Matthew 18:15-20; 1 Corinthians 5; 2 Corinthians 2:5-11; Galatians 6:1; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15; 1 Timothy 5:19-20; Titus 3:10-11. When enacted properly and motivated by love, discipline serves as a refining instrument in God’s hands, ultimately producing righteousness, restoration, and holiness in the church.
Though often neglected today, biblical discipline is essential for a healthy church. It follows the model of our Heavenly Father, who disciplines those He loves (Hebrews 12:6). The Bible exhorts us to protect the flock from wolves (Acts 20:28-31) and purge the evil from among us (Deuteronomy 17:7). For the honor of Christ, purity of the church, and good of offenders, godly discipline must be practiced.
While we should always speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15), compromise has no place when sin threatens the testimony of the church. Scripture charges church leaders with the solemn duty of confronting sin and exercising discipline when necessary. This protects the church’s purity, promotes genuine repentance, prevents dishonor to Christ, and ultimately works for the restoration and good of the offender. Biblical discipline is always to be exercised as an act of love.
Church discipline is vital for holiness, yet it is one of the most neglected and abused components of church life today. If we aim to be biblical churches, we must recover Jesus’ own teaching on correcting sin in the church. With humility and love, we must keep Christ’s bride pure and ready for His return.
In our sentimental age, church discipline is sometimes viewed as harsh or unloving. But God Himself is our model—the perfect Father who graciously but firmly disciplines His children (Hebrews 12:5-11). He has entrusted church leaders with the sober duty of protecting His flock from poisonous sin.
For the welfare of the offender, purity of the church, and honor of Christ, we must take very seriously the biblical instructions on discipline. Otherwise we demonstrate a lack of love and care for one another, tolerance for sin that God hates, and a refusal to be faithful stewards of the trust He has given us.
Church discipline aims at repentance and restoration but recognizes that removing a false or unrepentant professor of faith protect’s Christ’s reputation and the church’s witness. God’s Word says it is for our own good that He prunes us (John 15:2). The same is true of church discipline.
When church discipline is upheld, the church will be holy, Christ will be honored, the offender may repent, and God’s name will not be slandered. For these reasons and more, Scripture places the responsibility for discipline squarely on the shoulders of church leaders.
The Bible contains many examples of corrective discipline. Moses rebuked those who sinned at Meribah (Numbers 20:10). Nathan confronted David after his adultery (2 Samuel 12). Paul handed Hymenaeus and Alexander over to Satan to teach them not to blaspheme (1 Timothy 1:19-20). And Jesus rebuked Peter sharply (Mark 8:33) as well as the lukewarm Laodicean church (Revelation 3:19).
In addition to these examples, Scripture plainly teaches the necessity, purposes, and process of discipline. Church leaders must be diligent to correct sin for the good of the offender, purity of the church, and honor of Christ.
Though often messy and painful, discipline is an act of love that keeps the church from becoming lukewarm toward sin. The Bible frequently compares it to pruning. Just as pruning promotes the health and fruitfulness of a plant, so church discipline aims for the maturity and holiness of God’s people.
Biblical church discipline involves four components according to Jesus in Matthew 18:15-17: 1) private rebuke, 2) witnesses to establish facts, 3) informing the church, and 4) excommunication of an unrepentant member. The goal is always repentance and restoration.
Paul affirms in 1 Corinthians 5:1-5 that unrepentant sin necessitates excluding the offender and delivering them over to Satan for the destruction of their flesh. The leaven of sin cannot be tolerated. Yet in 2 Corinthians 2:5-8, he urges forgiving and comforting a repentant individual.
Other relevant passages on church discipline include: Deuteronomy 17:7; 19:19; 2 Samuel 12; Proverbs 19:25; 24:25; Matthew 7:1-5; Luke 17:3; Acts 5:1-11; Romans 16:17; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15; 1 Timothy 1:19-20; 5:19-20; Titus 3:10-11; Hebrews 12:5-11; Revelation 2:5; 2:14-16; 2:20-23; 3:3; 3:19.
Church discipline aims to: 1) keep sin from spreading (1 Corinthians 5:6-7); 2) protect the purity of the body (1 Corinthians 5:6); 3) bring the offender to repentance (1 Corinthians 5:5; 2 Thessalonians 3:14-15); 4) set a godly example for others (1 Timothy 5:20); 5) restore fallen believers (2 Corinthians 2:5-8); 6) protect the church’s witness (Romans 2:24); 7) avoid leaven permeating the whole lump (1 Corinthians 5:6-7); 8) purge evil from God’s people (Deuteronomy 17:7); 9) cause fear of sinning (1 Timothy 5:20); and 10) reflect God’s holiness as Christ’s bride (Ephesians 5:27).
Scripture warns that failure to exercise discipline can lead to leaven spreading (1 Corinthians 5:6), complacency about sin (Revelation 2:14-16, 20), sexual immorality (1 Corinthians 5:1), and the Lord’s displeasure (Revelation 2:4-5, 14-16, 20-23). Church leaders will be held accountable for implementing biblical discipline (Hebrews 13:17).
Discipline involves initially going privately to an offender to gently confront their sin (Matthew 18:15; Galatians 6:1). If they refuse to listen, the next step involves bringing one or two others as witnesses to establish facts (Matthew 18:16; Deuteronomy 19:15; 1 Timothy 5:19). If the offender remains unrepentant, the matter should be brought before the church (Matthew 18:17a). Finally, obstinate impenitence necessitates excommunication (Matthew 18:17b; 1 Corinthians 5:2; 1 Timothy 1:20).
Yet discipline always aims at repentance and restoration (2 Corinthians 2:5-11). An offender who repents is to be warmly forgiven, comforted, and reaffirmed in love (2 Corinthians 2:7). Their repentance should be recognized and embraced by the church (2 Corinthians 2:6-8).
In exercising discipline, the church must carefully follow biblical procedures (1 Timothy 5:19-20), act in humility recognizing our own vulnerability to sin (Galatians 6:1), judge motives accurately (1 Corinthians 4:5), operate in love (2 Corinthians 2:4), and rely on God’s grace to preserve the church (Matthew 16:18; 1 Peter 4:17).
Like any spiritual responsibility, church discipline can be abused when mishandled. But implemented correctly and motivated by love, it serves Christ’s bride by promoting purity amid temptation, deterring sin, and restoring the fallen. For these reasons and more, Scripture sees it as non-optional.
