Church Discipline

The Biblical Process of Church Discipline

Matthew 18:15–20 KJV 1900

15 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. 16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. 17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. 18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

Introduction

How to Biblically Rebuke a Covenanting Church Member

Matthew 18:15 KJV 1900

15 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.

Step 1: Private Confrontation (v. 15) "If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother." Church discipline begins with an individual, personal approach. The goal is not to shame or punish but to restore. The word “brother” indicates this is about relationships within the covenant community—believers accountable to one another. You confront the sin privately, pointing it out with clarity and love. If the person repents (“listens to you”), the matter ends there, and reconciliation happens. “Won your brother” emphasizes the aim: preserving unity and godliness, not winning an argument.

Matthew 18:16 KJV 1900

16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.

Step 2: Witnesses Involved (v. 16) "But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every fact may be confirmed." If the sinner refuses to repent, the process escalates. Bringing one or two others serves two purposes: it adds weight to the confrontation and ensures the situation is handled fairly. The phrase “by the mouth of two or three witnesses” echoes Deuteronomy 19:15, rooting this in God’s standard for justice. These witnesses aren’t just bystanders—they confirm the sin and the refusal to repent, protecting against false accusations or personal bias.

Matthew 18:17 KJV 1900

17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

Step 3: Church Involvement (v. 17a) "And if he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church..." If the smaller group fails, the matter goes public within the church. “Church” (Greek: ekklēsia) here refers to the assembled believers, not just leaders. This step broadens accountability, urging the sinner to recognize the seriousness of their actions. It’s still about restoration, but now the whole community bears witness to the need for repentance.

Step 4: Exclusion (v. 17b) "and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as the Gentile and the tax collector." If the person remains unrepentant, the final step is treating them as an outsider. To Jews, Gentiles and tax collectors were outside the covenant community—symbolizing separation. This doesn’t mean hatred or cruelty; it’s a sober recognition that the person has rejected the church’s authority and fellowship. Practically, this could mean removing them from membership or communion, signaling their spiritual state while still praying for their return.

Matthew 18:18–20 KJV 1900

18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

Step 5: Authority and Assurance (vv. 18-20) "Truly I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven..." Jesus ties this process to divine authority. “Bind” and “loose” refer to the church’s God-given role to declare what aligns with His will—here, regarding sin and fellowship. The future perfect tense (“shall have been bound”) suggests the church’s actions reflect heaven’s prior judgment, not the other way around. Verses 19-20 reinforce this: when the church acts in unity and Christ’s name, He is present, affirming their decisions.

How to Biblically Rebuke an Elder

1 Timothy 5:19–21 KJV 1900

19 Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses. 20 Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear. 21 I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.

These instructions begin with a warning not to hastily receive an accusation against an elder. That in no way means that an accusation should never be heard. This is consistent with the biblical model presented in Deuteronomy 17:6, Deuteronomy 19:15, and Matthew 18:16. Why is this important? Having two or three witnesses is to ensure that one is not making a false accusation.

Proverbs 18:17 KJV 1900

17 He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; But his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.

As Proverbs 18:17 says, it is easy to simply take the word of the first person to speak. This can easily apply to the plaintiff or the defendant. The text is clear. Neither should be easily believed. That is the wisdom of the scriptures in requiring witnesses. When multiple witnesses accuse an elder, those witnesses are to be listened to.‌

In 1 Timothy 5:20, Paul instructs Timothy to reprove in the presence of all so that the rest will also be fearful. Sin must be dealt with harshly. A little leaven leavens the whole lump (Galatians 5:9). The difficult responsibility of rebuking an elder falls upon other elders.

In verse 21, Paul warns Timothy of something that is so easy to fall prey to. He warns against partiality or favoritism when it comes to rebuking a fellow elder. Paul speaks of this being a solemn charge. Elders are to care for the spiritual needs and administration of the church. This means elders must do the hard thing. The solemn charge of keeping his instructions without bias and without partiality means elders are to do the right thing even if it means disciplining someone you deeply love and care for and are very close to.

Paul offers fatherly advice to Timothy and his fellow elders in 1 Timothy 5:24-25:

1 Timothy 5:24–25 KJV 1900

24 Some men’s sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after. 25 Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid.

Paul’s wisdom reminds Timothy that while some things are easy to discern, some are much more difficult. Some things are revealed quickly, but some are not revealed until well after they have happened, but they will be revealed (Numbers 32:23). The same statement applies to good works.

Biblical eldership is not easy. 1 Timothy 3:1 tells us it is a good work. Doing good is not always easy, but it is commanded and required of biblical elders. Therefore, elders who fail to do what God has ordered for them to do are no longer qualified to remain elders. What do the righteous do? They do right.

Application, Closing

It’s not about vengeance or control—it’s about love for the individual and honor for God. The steps ensure privacy where possible, fairness through witnesses, and collective discernment when needed. Even the final act of exclusion isn’t abandonment; it’s a call to repentance, mirroring how Jesus engaged outsiders with truth and grace.

This passage shows church discipline as a communal responsibility, not just a pastoral duty. It’s deliberate, not impulsive, and always seeks the good of the soul and the body of Christ.