Church Discipline: Upholding Purity and Obeying Christ’s Command

Understanding Church Discipline

To maintain church purity, individuals who identify as Christians but engage in behaviors such as sexual immorality, greed, idolatry, reviling, drunkenness, or swindling (1 Cor. 5:11) are subject to excommunication. Expelling members from fellowship is challenging, but practicing church discipline is essential to obey Christ and prevent the corruption of the local church. Paul emphasizes that arrogance, not humility, leads to the tolerance of sin within the church community.

The Importance of Church Discipline

Church discipline is not merely about removing individuals but about purging the church of behaviors that defile it. Paul highlights the necessity of cleansing the church to reflect Christ’s sacrifice and maintain the integrity of the Christian community. Celebrating festivals without the “old leaven” of malice and evil ensures that the church remains sincere and truthful.

The Difficult Path to Church Purity

Implementing church discipline is difficult for several reasons:

• Confronting Sin: Addressing sin requires courage and can lead to conflicts within the church.
• Lack of Awareness: Many church members are unaware of biblical methods for maintaining purity.
• Emotional Obstacles: Love for individuals and friendships can make it hard to expel members.
• False Humility: Avoiding consequences for sin under the guise of humility hinders discipline.

Biblical Perspective on Sin and Church Discipline

Paul teaches that even the smallest amount of sin can corrupt the entire church, much like a little leaven affects the whole lump of dough. Sin is repulsive to God and an attack on His glory. Therefore, the church must act decisively to remove sinful influences to preserve its holiness and effectiveness in feasting on Christ.

Actions Required for Effective Church Discipline

Effective church discipline involves:

• Removal: Removing the individual from the church community (v. 2, 5).
• Delivery to Satan: Delivering the person for the destruction of the flesh so that their spirit may be saved (v. 5).
• No Association: Not associating or even eating with the individual to prevent further corruption (v. 11, 13).

Clarifying Terminology: Church Discipline vs. Excommunication

Terms like “church discipline” and “excommunication” are commonly used to describe the actions outlined in 1 Corinthians 5. While “excommunication” might carry associations with the Catholic Church, it accurately describes the process of expelling someone from fellowship. Understanding these terms helps in comprehending the biblical mandate for maintaining church purity.

Criteria for Exclusion from the Church

Individuals subject to church discipline are those who:

• Bear the Name of Brother/Sister: Identified members who commit serious sins.
• Persist in Sin: Continue in sinful behavior despite repentance efforts.
• Impact the Church’s Purity: Their actions pose a threat to the church’s integrity and witness.

Reasons Churches Hesitate to Practice Discipline

Common reasons include:

• Personal Guilt: Leaders may be guilty of similar sins and fear judgment.
• Fear of Being Judged: Reluctance to cast the first stone due to personal imperfections.
• Perception of Cruelty: Viewing discipline as harsh or unloving.
• Despising Authority: Resisting the church’s authority to enforce discipline.
• Emotional Ties: Loving relationships and friendships make it difficult to exclude members.

The Urgency and Process of Putting Someone Out

Church discipline should be swift, especially in cases of public sin, to prevent widespread corruption. Unlike the private steps outlined in Matthew 18 for personal offenses, flagrant public sins require immediate and decisive action to uphold the church’s testimony before the world.

The Role of Satan in Church Discipline

Delivering a sinful member to Satan serves the purpose of ultimately saving their spirit. It removes them from the protective community of believers, allowing Satan to work on their flesh, which may lead them to repentance and salvation. This process aligns with biblical examples where Satan is used as an instrument for sanctification.

Maintaining Purity Through Purging Evil People

Church discipline is essential for preserving the church’s purity and holiness. By removing evil influences, the church remains a community dedicated to feasting on Christ, free from the corruption that sin brings. This commitment ensures that the church can effectively witness to the world and experience the full blessings of a holy community.

Conclusion: Embracing Holiness Over Size

Prioritizing holiness and purity over church growth is crucial. Embracing church discipline fosters a righteous and unified community that honors God. As believers strive for Christlikeness and uphold the fear of God, the church remains healthy and effective in its mission.

Final Prayer

Father, may You grant us the grace to uphold church discipline with humility and love. Help us walk uprightly in this wicked generation and maintain the purity of our community. Strengthen us to feast upon Christ and live out Your will in power. In Jesus’ name, Amen.