Biblical Church Discipline: A Call to Love, Purity, and Restoration

September 5th, 2024

A Guide for Pastors and Churches Seeking Faithful Obedience to Christ

“The neglect of discipline is the mother of all heresies.” —John Calvin

Church discipline is one of the most neglected and misunderstood teachings in the modern church. In an age that prizes comfort over conviction, affirmation over accountability, and numbers over holiness, the idea of removing someone from church membership—or even confronting someone’s sin—seems out of place. Yet, for the church that takes the Bible seriously, church discipline is not optional. It is an act of obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ, a vital mark of a true church, and one of the most loving ministries a congregation can offer to its members.

This article aims to provide a thorough biblical and theological framework for church discipline, helping pastors, elders, and church members understand why discipline is necessary, how it should be carried out, and what fruit it is intended to bear. Drawing on the teaching of Scripture and the voices of faithful shepherds like John Calvin, John MacArthur, and Matthew Henry, we will recover the beauty and necessity of this often-neglected command.

I. Why Church Discipline?

1. It Is Commanded by Christ (Matthew 18:15–17)

Church discipline begins not with a denominational policy or a church growth strategy, but with the words of Jesus Himself:

“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone… But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you… If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church” (Matt. 18:15–17).

Jesus commands a clear, structured approach to dealing with sin in the church. These are not suggestions—they are imperatives from the Head of the church. Any church that seeks to be obedient to Christ must take this passage seriously.

John MacArthur writes, “It is not loving to allow a person to go on sinning without confrontation. In fact, it is the most unloving thing one can do. True love confronts.” [1]

2. It Protects the Name and Honor of Christ (1 Corinthians 5:1–13)

Paul rebukes the Corinthian church for tolerating a man who was in a sexual relationship with his stepmother. His words are sharp and urgent: “Should you not rather mourn? Let him who has done this be removed from among you” (1 Cor. 5:2). The failure to discipline sin in the church brings dishonor to the name of Christ. In verse 6, Paul warns, “A little leaven leavens the whole lump”—unaddressed sin spreads and corrupts.

Matthew Henry rightly observes, “The scandalous offender should be mourned over, not boasted of. Such evil, if not removed, threatens the whole church.” [2]

3. It Guards the Spiritual Health of the Church

Discipline serves to purify the body. In Titus 1:11, Paul warns that false teachers “must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families.” Similarly, in Romans 16:17, he writes, “Watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.”

John Calvin wrote, “The Church cannot stand unless there be a certain order and discipline. Discipline is like the sinews which bind the members of the body together.” [3]

II. What Is Church Discipline?

1. Church Discipline Is Formative and Corrective

There are two sides to discipline:

Formative discipline is the ongoing teaching, training, and discipling that occurs as the church gathers under the preaching of the Word (Colossians 1:28; 2 Timothy 3:16–17).

Corrective discipline addresses sin when it arises in the body. It begins with private confrontation (Matthew 18:15) and can, if necessary, culminate in public removal from fellowship (Matthew 18:17; 1 Corinthians 5:5).

Both types of discipline work together. Without formative discipline, churches will constantly be reacting to sin. Without corrective discipline, formative instruction becomes toothless.

2. Church Discipline Is a Churchwide Responsibility

Jesus’ instruction in Matthew 18 begins with you—a fellow believer—not a pastor or elder. The first step is private correction, “between you and him alone” (Matt. 18:15). The body of Christ bears responsibility for one another.

Paul affirms this in Galatians 6:1—“If anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness.”

John MacArthur explains, “It is every believer’s responsibility to be their brother’s keeper, to hold one another accountable in love, and to confront sin when necessary.” [4]

III. How Is Church Discipline Carried Out?

1. Step One: Private Confrontation (Matthew 18:15)

The first step is gentle, private correction. The goal is repentance, not exposure. Proverbs 27:6 says, “Faithful are the wounds of a friend.”

Paul tells Timothy, “Do not sharply rebuke an older man, but rather appeal to him as a father” (1 Timothy 5:1, NASB).

Matthew Henry notes, “We must not make the worst of people’s faults, nor proceed to extremes. Let all be done with love, meekness, and a sincere aim at their good.” [5]

2. Step Two: Take One or Two Others (Matthew 18:16)

If the person refuses to listen, the next step is to involve one or two witnesses. These individuals confirm that the sin has occurred and call the person to repentance again. This follows the principle of “two or three witnesses” (Deuteronomy 19:15) and guards against personal vendettas.

3. Step Three: Tell It to the Church (Matthew 18:17a)

If the individual still refuses to repent, the sin is brought before the congregation. This serves to:

Warn the body about unrepentant sin

Mobilize the church to pursue the person in love (2 Thessalonians 3:14–15)

4. Step Four: Excommunication (Matthew 18:17b; 1 Corinthians 5:5)

If repentance still does not occur, Jesus commands: “Let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.” Paul describes this as “delivering such a one to Satan” (1 Cor. 5:5). This is not final rejection but a call to repentance through separation.

John Calvin emphasized, “The object of excommunication is that the sinner may be brought to repentance and restored to the communion of the Church.” [6]

IV. What Sins Warrant Discipline?

Church discipline is reserved for:

Unrepentant sin (Matthew 18:15–17)
Public immorality or scandal (1 Corinthians 5:1–5)
False teaching or heresy (Titus 1:11; Romans 16:17)
Divisiveness or gossip (Titus 3:10)
Refusal to submit to spiritual authority (2 Thessalonians 3:6–14)

Pastors must exercise discernment. The goal is repentance, not punishment.

V. What Is the Goal of Discipline?

The ultimate goal is always restoration. Paul urged the Corinthians, after the disciplined man repented: “You should rather turn to forgive and comfort him… reaffirm your love for him” (2 Corinthians 2:7–8).

John MacArthur wisely states, “Church discipline is not a witch hunt. It is redemptive love. It is God’s design to produce holiness in His people.” [7]

VI. Why Churches Neglect Discipline—and the Cost

Many churches avoid discipline out of fear—fear of conflict, public backlash, or losing members. But neglecting discipline leads to:

Weakened holiness in the church
Diluted Gospel message
Dishonor to Christ
Spiritual deception for the sinner

Calvin warned, “The Church which is not marked by the faithful exercise of discipline is no true Church.” [8]

VII. Restoring a Culture of Holiness

To restore biblical discipline:

Teach on church membership and mutual responsibility
Model repentance and accountability among leaders
Preach and explain Matthew 18, 1 Corinthians 5, Galatians 6, Titus 3, and 2 Thessalonians 3
Create clear, Scripture-rooted policies
Shepherd with patience and wisdom

Conclusion: Discipline as the Church’s Loving Witness
Church discipline protects the glory of God, the purity of the church, and the soul of the sinner. When done rightly, it displays the holiness of Christ, the love of the church, and the power of the Gospel to restore what is broken.

Let every pastor, elder, and church member recover this essential and beautiful aspect of church life. May the words of Hebrews 12:11 be true in every local body:

“For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”

References
[1] John MacArthur, The Master's Plan for the Church, Moody Publishers, 1991
[2] Matthew Henry, Commentary on 1 Corinthians 5
[3] John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book IV, Ch. 12
[4] John MacArthur, Biblical Doctrine, Crossway, 2017
[5] Matthew Henry, Commentary on Matthew 18
[6] Calvin, Institutes, IV.12.10
[7] John MacArthur, Sermon: “Church Discipline”
[8] Calvin, Institutes, IV.12.1

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