Church Discipline
There are two paradoxical extremes when the issue and practice of church discipline arises. One of them is a heavy-handed punishment. The other extreme is to avoid church discipline altogether. Jesus Himself is the One who informs us on the regulative nature of church discipline and its proper handling. In Matthew 18:15–20, we are given instructions for dealing with a brother in Christ who sins.
The context finds us with Jesus’ disciples inquiring about who will be the greatest in Jesus’ Messianic kingdom. Our Lord uses a child for an object lesson to answer their inquiry. The humble trust of a child is commended to them. Jesus’ emphasis highlights the importance of “the least of these my brethren (Mt 25:40, 45).” In other words, the lowliest Christian is highly prized in God’s eyes, and he or she should be treated in this manner by the disciples.
God’s love for His children is illustrated by the parable of the lost sheep, where the shepherd leaves his flock in search of one little lost sheep. He searches until he finds it and brings it back to the flock. Jesus issues a stern warning for anyone hindering the faith of one of His people. We should not despise one of these “little ones” He loves with such fervency.
This leads us into the subject of church discipline. The context helps us to see three things in Matthew 18:15. Church discipline is individual, intimate, and intentional. The text reads, “And if your brother sins, go and reprove him in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother.” Let’s consider this introductory verse to the subject of church discipline.
First, church discipline involves an individual who sins (15a). There are public sins where people are fully aware of what has happened. Sin is exposed for all to see and consider. That is not the issue being addressed here by Jesus. The situation is private sin, and the encounter is one on one. Every use of the pronoun “you” or “your” in this passage is in second person singular. Like the one shepherd who goes after the one straying sheep, the disciple of Jesus is the one who goes to his brother caught in sin.
Some later manuscripts add the phrase “against you.” This later addition is not in the oldest and best manuscripts and should be excluded. If your brother sins in any way, shape, or form in a personal and private manner; then the Christian is to take action.
Second, church discipline involves an intimate encounter (15b). Confronting sin is personal, not public. The brother who sees another Christian in private sin must first “go” to him or her in sin. This alleviates the error of avoidance. The private nature of the encounter demonstrates good intentions, a light handedness by the one on the approach. It should also speak volumes to the one being approached. Jesus commands that we must go. The statements are conditional. If we see sin, then we must go.
The NASB uses the word “reprove,” as the second action after going. The Greek New Testament brings the word into English in a number of ways. It is a heavy word. It can mean: “expose;” “convict;” “reprove;” or “confront.” John the Baptist confronted Herod the tetrarch for taking his brother’s wife for himself (Mt 14:4). The Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin (Jn 16:8). The apostle Paul encouraged the Ephesians not to participate in deeds of darkness but to expose them (Eph 5:11). Each of these encounters has the notion of confrontation. Our context points us to a confrontation in private.
Third, church discipline involves a purposeful intention (15c). The purpose of church discipline is restoration. Paul wrote to the Galatians, “Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 But each one must examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to another. 5 For each one will bear his own load (Gal 6:1–5).” Paul’s instruction reveals the qualities of gentleness and humility. We might say, “It is important for you to walk in the sinner’s moccasins.” Simply put, a Christian must self-identify with the person he is confronting.
The end goal objective is to restore a brother or sister to the straight and narrow way of following Christ in holy living. Sin destroys the sinner, and it hinders the church. It is not good for a saint to sin. The negative effect on him and the church warrants the confrontation. To win a brother is a gain for him and for the church. To win him, we must be winsome.
In considering these three aspects of church discipline, we may wish to further consider how to approach these practically. First, we must take sin seriously. Jesus clearly considers sin to be the greatest problem. Christians fight and bite and bicker about many things, but a solemn reflection on sin shuts one’s mouth. David captured the affront to God with the words, “Against you and only you have I sinned (Ps 51:4).”
When one sins, it is first a sin against God, and every sin deserves judgment and punishment. God forgives the repentant sinner, and forgiveness is a subject addressed by Jesus following the subject of church discipline (Mt 18:21–35). He who has been forgiven much, forgives much as a demonstration of much love (Lk 7:47). God forgives the repentant ones, and so should we forgive the sinner who turns back from sinning.
Second, in going, we must approach in humility. We are all tempted to sin, and we must realize the seasons of weakness some brethren may be going through. The heavy handed approach is not Christian. It is imported from the world of business, politics, and the military. In those environments, correction is brutal and often unforgiving. Sins in this context and dealt with in this way are never forgotten, either. The dealings of Christians in the business of the church should look radically different. Gentleness, kindness, and self-control are the spiritual tones for an approach to a brother or sister ensnared in sin.
Third, our reproof of a brother in sin often brings a self-conviction. Christians know when they are sinning. Before a brother goes to confront a brother, the brother in sin has already been visited by the Holy Spirit from within. For the Holy Spirit to approach in the appearance of another Christian who cares, often presents enough confrontation to stop the person from continuing in sin. There are further steps to the process, if repentance does not occur (Mt 18:16–20).
Fourth, we must avoid sinning while confronting sin. Sin is scandalous for a Christian. To be exposed, and then excoriated, can destroy the beloved sheep of God’s pasture. This is why matters of sin should remain private, “You forgave the iniquity of your people. You covered all their sin (Ps 85:2).” The carnage left by the heavy hand does not bode well for the rest of the flock. Church should be a safe and loving place. Sin creeps in and it must be dealt with, but the manner of dealing with it is what Jesus is teaching in Matthew 18:15–20.
Gossip is one example of how sin mutates and multiplies in the reproof of sin. Christians, especially women (1 Tim 3:11; Tit 2:3), are notorious for empty talk about matters best left in private. A wise Christian will put a stop to gossip. Gossip can easily lead to rumor and slander. Words have the power of life and death in them, and the misuse of words can kill a local church.
Finally, we must purposefully keep the church in a state of right relationship. Sin hinders our relationship with God and with others. Sin must be dealt with, but it must be dealt with in a manner worthy of our calling to be God’s children. It is a disgrace for the dirty laundry of the church to be hung out in public view. Endless is the list of church scandals reaching public consumption. Every church split, every pastoral failure, every damaged sheep with a grudge, and every tarnished reputation is displeasing to Christ, who says, “But this I have against you…(Rev 2–3).”
Establishing and then maintaining a loving and caring local church is hard work. It takes the effort of the entire community of believers. It must be a conviction and a commitment. Church discipline, as we have seen here, does not begin or even include the elders and deacons of a church at this beginning stage. It begins with each individual believer, who loves and cares for the church and for other individuals. This is the care of souls entrusted to every Christian. Nurturing another believer is one of the most rewarding aspects of Christian life. The mere presence of one Christian walking in holiness has a powerful effect on other sheep tempted to waywardness. When a brother is won back to right standing everybody wins. If restoration never occurs a scar is left on the church, visible to the surrounding community.
In summary, we have looked at church discipline, which was taught by Jesus to His disciples during His earthly ministry. The approach, as we have learned it, is personal, private, and purposeful. Our review included some suggestions for practical ways of engaging this mandatory and beneficial work.
In conclusion, this practice is an epic failure for today’s church. There is carnage everywhere. The devil has infiltrated the church with his oppressive heavy hand, bringing harsh and public accusations against God’s beloved children. He has also come in the back door through antinomian non-engagement. “Who am I as a sinner to confront my brother?” This is a lie from Satan, for Jesus commands each Christian to engage in this good work. We must do it, but when we do it, we must operate with extreme humility.
There is no other way than grace and truth, spoken with much love. We must remember Paul’s directive, “with humility and gentleness, with patience, showing forbearance to one another in love 3 being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Eph 4:2–3).” This is the manner worthy of our calling to Christ, who taught His disciples to deal with sin, seriously, and to deal with one another, sagaciously.
David E. Norczyk
Beaverton, Oregon
January 9, 2021
