What Does the Bible Say About Church Discipline?
What Does the Bible Say About Church Discipline? Jesus outlined a clear process for addressing sin within the church, aimed at restoration, protection of the body, and maintaining holiness.
Key verse: Matthew 18:15-17 (KJV)
Jesus outlined a clear process for addressing sin within the church, aimed at restoration, protection of the body, and maintaining holiness.
Jesus outlined a clear process for addressing sin within the church, aimed at restoration, protection of the body, and maintaining holiness.
"Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother." — Matthew 18:15-17 (KJV)
Meaning
Plain-language explanation
In Context
Surrounding KJV scripture
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The Biblical Answer
Matthew 18:15-17 gives the definitive process: first, confront privately; second, bring one or two witnesses; third, tell it to the church; and if still unrepentant, treat the person 'as an heathen man and a publican.' The goal is always restoration — Galatians 6:1 says, 'Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness.' Paul commanded the Corinthian church to excommunicate a member living in unrepentant sexual sin, 'that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus' (1 Corinthians 5:5). When the person repented, Paul urged the church to 'forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow' (2 Corinthians 2:7). Church discipline protects the purity of the body, deters sin, and ultimately aims to bring the wayward back.
Key Scripture References
"Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother."
"Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness."
"To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus."
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Related Questions
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The church is the body of Christ — not a building but the community of all believers, called to worship, fellowship, serve, and spread the gospel together.
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The Bible teaches that God freely forgives those who repent and that believers must forgive others as they have been forgiven — not seven times, but seventy times seven.
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The Bible presents the resurrection as historical fact, supported by eyewitness testimony, an empty tomb, and transformed lives.
Is Jesus God?
Yes — the Bible teaches that Jesus is fully God and fully man, the second person of the Trinity.
What Is the Trinity?
The Trinity is the doctrine that God exists as three persons — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — in one divine being.
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Read it in context
The answer above sits inside Matthew. The 365-day chronological plan reads it in the order the events happened.
Read Matthew on day 284 of the chronological Bible reading planKeep the verses to hand
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