The Purpose of Church Discipline
The words “Church Discipline” sound threatening. Even the word “discipline” by itself sounds threatening. In some conversations, it’s a synonym for “punishment.” That’s a tragic association. Hebrews 12:6 corrects it: “For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives” (ESV). Anyone thinking that this loving approach is found only in the New Testament should realize that Hebrews is quoting from the Old Testament here, a longer quotation from Proverbs 3:11-12, which says, “My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor detest His correction; For whom the Lord loves He corrects, Just as a father the son in whom he delights” (NKJV).
The correction of God is an act of love. Notice that the word “punishment” doesn’t fit in that passage, even in the Old Testament. Instead, there are words like “chastening,” “correction,” “disciplines,” and “chastises.” These are not punishment for guilt, but an act of love meant to bless the one receiving it. The writer to the Hebrews says that when God chastens you, He treats you like His own beloved child. A lack of parental correction is neglect. Even the heathen world can see that. But the purpose of God’s correction is “that we may be partakers of His holiness.”
To the earthly mind, it seems contradictory or even abusive to say that the suffering we receive from God is a blessing. The writer to the Hebrews is aware of this. “Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”
No chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness.
This sort of teaching sits uncomfortably with some people, and they choose to avoid the Christian faith for that reason. Yet there is a segment of the younger generations in our society that embraces the idea of rigorous effort. They are attracted to such things. But Christianity is not the only faith that offers a disciplined life, and many teachers under the “Christian” label soft-pedal it to avoid repelling those who are not attracted to a disciplined life. So unfortunately, some of these younger people, many of whom are men, are exploring disciplines from other religions, from Christian monasticism, or from philosophies like Stoicism. But Christianity is a practice of discipline, order, virtue, and intentional focus.
Consider Philippians 4:8, a passage worthy of the walls in your house: “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.”
The most serious harm comes when the Christian neglects to repent. … Church discipline is the loving attempt to restore an impenitent sinner to faith and to membership in the body of Christ.
If instead your daily thoughts are captured by fears and dread of political or natural disaster, or if your imagination is continually feeding on images and ideas that are corrupted, shameful, or even just profane, then you would benefit greatly from God’s loving correction or chastening. Isn’t it self-evident? Truly Christian discipline is always a good thing, for the punishment of our sins fell entirely upon Jesus, and was drained to the last drop in His suffering and death.
What is true for individual Christians also is true for the body of Christ, the Church. When an individual Christian has sinned, it’s not surprising or unusual, though sin is tragic and harmful. The most serious harm comes when the Christian neglects to repent. Impenitence leads to unbelief and possibly to eternal separation from God. Both are examples of death, and far more serious than a heart stopping or brain death. Church discipline is the loving attempt to restore an impenitent sinner to faith and to membership in the body of Christ.
Jesus describes what have been called “steps” of church discipline in Matthew 18:15-20, but the larger context of the entire chapter shows that the point is not to expel or excommunicate a sinner. Instead, it’s to restore that sinner through forgiveness in a spirit of humility. Even the impenitent soul, the lost sheep, is of maximum importance to God. He wants none to perish. The “steps” from verses 15-20 provide a way to regain the lost brother without humiliating him, if possible. It is the responsibility of every Christian to do this.
Sometimes an impenitent Christian ignores the loving concern of his or her Christian brothers and persistently rejects the chastening of God. How can a church know when it’s time to formally recognize this? That’s the secondary purpose in Matthew 18. The Christian discipline is about forgiveness (see verse 35!). But forgiveness is thwarted by a hardened conscience. Jesus made atonement for all sin, but forgiveness can be received only through repentance and faith. If a church, ready to forgive a sinner in its midst, is instead rebuffed in its serious attempts to chastise that person toward repentance, then verse 17 applies.
Excommunication … is in the sincere hope that forgiveness and reconciliation will yet happen.
“Let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.” In other words, like the people whom John the Baptist and Jesus continuously called to repentance. Those who repented, like Levi/Matthew and Zacchaeus, sat at the table with Jesus alongside His closest disciples. Verse 17 describes excommunication, but it’s in the sincere hope with trust in God that forgiveness and reconciliation will yet happen in the future.