Rebuking another believer is a delicate matter that requires wisdom, discernment, and care. The Bible offers guidance on when rebuke may be warranted, how it should be handled, and the spirit in which it should be given. While we are called to gently restore those caught in sin, rebuke is not to be our default response to a struggling Christian.
Here are some biblical principles on when and how to lovingly rebuke a fellow believer:
Rebuke should be used sparingly and only for serious unrepentant sin
The Bible teaches that Christians should be patient, gentle, and humble in their relationships with one another (Ephesians 4:2). Rebuke should not be hastily employed, but reserved for issues of serious unrepentant sin that threaten to harm the individual or the church body (1 Corinthians 5:1-5). Minor differences and imperfections are to be borne with love (Colossians 3:12-14).
Rebuke should follow other attempts to restore the person
Before directly rebuking another Christian, we must first personally appeal to them with gentleness and patience (Galatians 6:1, 2 Timothy 2:24-26). If private appeals fail, then rebuke may be appropriate, ideally with other witnesses present (Matthew 18:15-17). The goal should always be repentance and restoration, not merely reprimand.
Rebuke must be done with a loving, humble attitude
Rebuke is only effective when administered in a spirit of love, gentleness, and humility (Galatians 6:1). All rebuke must be free from hypocrisy, pride, and harshness (Matthew 7:1-5, Galatians 6:1). The focus should be on restoring the person, not elevating oneself or one’s own reputation.
Any rebuke must be grounded in specific scriptural principles
We have no right to rebuke fellow believers apart from what Scripture clearly teaches. Any rebuke must be firmly grounded in specific biblical commands, not personal opinions or preferences (Titus 1:9, 2 Timothy 4:2). We must take care not to bind the conscience of others beyond what God’s word requires.
The manner of rebuke matters
Even when rebuke is warranted, it should be done thoughtfully, avoiding undue hostility or condemnation (2 Timothy 2:24-26, Proverbs 15:1). Patience, clarity, and a calm spirit can make difficult correction more impactful. Our goal is to lovingly plead with our brother or sister to turn from sin and be restored to right fellowship with God and others.
Rebuke should be received with humility and self-examination
When confronted with rebuke, even if done imperfectly, we must be willing to prayerfully receive correction with humility rather than defend ourselves (Proverbs 15:32). We should consider our own weaknesses and need for God’s grace. The right heart response to rebuke is repentance, gratitude and desire for holiness, not resentment or rationalization of sin.
Church discipline and excommunication are last resorts
If an unrepentant person rejects private appeals and rebuke by church leaders, Jesus instructed that they should be treated as “a Gentile and a tax collector” (Matthew 18:17). This indicates a type of quarantine to avoid the influence of their sin. Only after persistent, unrepentant sin should excommunication from church fellowship be considered (1 Corinthians 5:4-5). Even this is done in hopes of eventual restoration and return.
Restoration should be the goal
The end goal of any rebuke or discipline should always be repentance, forgiveness, and full restoration of the fallen brother or sister (2 Corinthians 2:5-11). Harshness and a lack of mercy have no place in the body of Christ. Patience, care, and tangible love must permeate the entire process.
Our own sin should make us cautious
Since we too are vulnerable to sin and failure, rebuke should not be given self-righteously, but with humility, gentleness, and awareness of our own weaknesses and need for grace (Galatians 6:1-2). We should rebuke in a spirit of meekness, remembering that we could also be tempted in similar ways.
Prayer is fundamental
Prayer should permeate the entire process, for wisdom and clarity before rebuking, repentance during, and restoration afterwards. We are utterly dependent on God’s insight and power to reprove and restore in a way that honours Christ and leads to redemption.
Discernment and wisdom are essential
Prayerfully and biblically determining when rebuke is needed takes godly wisdom and discernment (Philippians 1:9-10). A rebuking spirit can be destructive, but overlooking sin can also be. We must seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance in navigating these difficult waters of caring confrontation.
Acting out of love is crucial
Without sincere love, rebuke becomes judgmental and damaging (1 Corinthians 13:1-3). As Christians, our deepest motivation must be love for the individual as someone Christ died to redeem. Love covers a multitude of sins yet lovingly confronts sin that can ruin lives and dishonour God.
We are all accountable to each other
All believers need loving accountability (Proverbs 27:6, Galatians 6:1-5). We must care enough about our brothers and sisters to help each other stay on the narrow path that leads to life. Patient rebuke is one way we honor Christ together in His body, the church.
A difficult but necessary act of love
Loving rebuke of unrepentant sin is difficult and complex but an essential part of honouring Christ in His church. When carried out with prayer, humility, gentleness, and sound scriptural footing, rebuke can powerfully demonstrate the sincere love of Christ to those who have wandered from the truth.
The goal is always repentance, forgiveness, restoration of joy, and wholeness in Christ. Rebuke must never be an end in itself, but a means to reclaim and redeem a treasured brother or sister in Christ.
As we wrestle over when to rebuke, how best to do it, and dealing with the aftermath, we need great wisdom, humility, patience, and dependence on the Holy Spirit. God’s Word gives us sound principles, but prayerful sensitivity and discernment are required to apply them with care to each situation. We rebuke to restore, not condemn. By God’s grace, may all rebuke in the church be done so with Christ-like love that beautifully reflects the Redeemer’s heart.
