Church and worship
What does the Bible say about church discipline?
Jesus outlines a process that begins privately and aims at restoration, not punishment or exposure.
What Scripture says
Matthew 18:15-17
““If your brother sins against you, go, show him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained back your brother. But if he doesn’t listen, take one or two more with you, that at the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the assembly. If he refuses to hear the assembly also, let him be to you as a Gentile or a tax collector.”
Galatians 6:1
“Brothers, even if a man is caught in some fault, you who are spiritual must restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, looking to yourself so that you also aren’t tempted.”
1 Corinthians 5:11-13
“But as it is, I wrote to you not to associate with anyone who is called a brother who is a sexual sinner, or covetous, or an idolater, or a slanderer, or a drunkard, or an extortionist. Don’t even eat with such a person. For what do I have to do with also judging those who are outside? Don’t you judge those who are within? But those who are outside, God judges. “Put away the wicked man from among yourselves.””
2 Thessalonians 3:14-15
“If any man doesn’t obey our word in this letter, note that man and have no company with him, to the end that he may be ashamed. Don’t count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.”
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Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. See all Bible questions or verses by topic.