Christian Discipline
CHRISTIAN DISCIPLINE
Introduction: According to Webster’s Dictionary discipline moves in two directions: 1) training that corrects, molds, or perfects the mental faculties or moral character, 2) punishment. This fits Scripture: Ephesians 6:4: παιδεύω; παιδεία: to provide instruction, with the intent of forming proper habits of behavior—‘to teach, to instruct, to train, teaching, instruction;’ to train someone in accordance with proper rules of conduct and behavior—‘to discipline, to train, discipline, training;’ to punish for the purpose of improved behavior—‘to punish, punishment.’ νουθετέω; νουθεσία: to provide instruction as to correct behavior and belief—‘to instruct, to teach, instruction, teaching;’ to advise someone concerning the dangerous consequences of some happening or action—‘to warn, warning.’
I. Matthew 18:15-20
A. Brother or sister sins
1. “Against you” is not in the oldest manuscripts, but because of its importance “the Committee decided to retain the words enclosed within square brackets.
2. Probably left deliberately imprecise so that a broad variety of offenses can be included. Presumably, however, given the procedure that follows, the type of sin being considered is of a substantial rather than trivial or merely personal nature
B. Step 1: Go and tell
1. The meaning here is not to scold someone or to abuse them verbally for their conduct but rather to bring the offensive matter to their attention in the hope that they will repent of their actions and be restored to the community.
2. “His fault” added to make the reading smoother
C. Between you and him alone
1. This does not need to be public knowledge
2. Proverbs 25.9 Debate your case with your neighbor, and do not disclose the secret to another;
D. If he listens, you have won him back
E. Step 2: If he does not listen, take others so there will be witnesses of his refusal to repent
1. Deut 19:15
2. This step changes it from a problem with two people to a possible legal matter
F. Step 3 involves telling the assembly or community (remember that the church did not exist at this point)
G. Step 4 is “let him be to you as a Gentile and tax collector”
1. Ostracism (banishment or exclusion) from the community
2. Matthew was writing to Jews who would understand the phrase
H. If you take this action on earth, it will be taken in heaven vs. 18
I. If the community on earth agrees about this, God will honor it. vs. 19
J. When we deal with these difficult matters, Jesus is with us. vs. 20
II. Romans 16.17
A. This deals with a special problem. Those who cause members of the community to divide or separate from each other.
B. Mark (KJV)
1. To designate as if by a mark; to make or leave a mark on
2. σκοπέω: to continue to regard closely—‘to watch, to notice carefully;’ to be ready to learn about future dangers or needs, with the implication of preparedness to respond appropriately—‘to beware of, to watch out for, to pay attention to;’ to exert effort in continually acquiring information regarding some matter, with the implication of concern as to how to respond appropriately—‘to be aware of, to be concerned about, to consider.’
C. ἐκκλίνω: purposely to avoid association with someone—‘to shun, to avoid, to keep away from, to have nothing to do with.’
III. 1 Corinthians 5
A. This is a unique situation because both the immoral man and the church community were sinning.
B. Vs. 2: πενθέω; πένθος: to experience sadness or grief as the result of depressing circumstances or the condition of persons—‘to be sad, to grieve for, to weep for, sorrow, grief.’
C. Vs. 5: To deliver to Satan is the same as removing him from the protection of the community
D. The purpose is to save his spirit
E. Vs. 11
1. συναναμίγνυμι: to associate with one another, normally involving spacial proximity and/or joint activity, and usually implying some kind of reciprocal relation or involvement—‘to associate, to be in the company of, to be involved with, association.’
2. Immoral
3. πλεονέκτης: one who is greedy or covetous—‘greedy person, covetous person.’
4. Idolater
5. λοίδορος: reviler, abusive person, slanderer
6. Drunk
7. Thief
F. Deut 13.5
IV. 2 Corinthians 2.5-11
A. The follow-up on the above passage
B. Forgive or cancel the debt and comfort the repentant one
C. Concerning love for the brother: κυρόω: show something to be real, (most versions) reaffirm; confirm (kjv, asv), assure (neb), reassure (reb), give a definite expression of love (njb), (2Co 2:8+)
V. Galatians 6.1
A. You who are spiritual
1. Basically that would be everyone in the church
2. 3:2–5, 14; 4:6, 29; 5:5, 16–18, 22–23, 25; 6:8
B. καταρτίζω (“put in order,” “repair,” “restore,” “make complete”) is a fairly common word in Greek literature and the LXX. In the NT it appears (1) in material contexts to signify the “repair” of nets to their former usable condition (cf. Matt 4:21; Mark 1:19), (2) in religious contexts to signify the “completion” or “perfection” of one’s faith (cf. 2 Cor 13:11; 1 Thess 3:10; Heb 13:21), and (3) in ethical contexts to signify moral “restoration” to a former good state (cf. 1 Cor 1:10). Here in Gal 6:1 it is evidently used in an ethical sense to mean “restore” to a former good state.
C. πραΰτης: gentleness of attitude and behavior, in contrast with harshness in one’s dealings with others—‘gentleness, meekness, mildness.’
VI. 1 Thessalonians 5:14
A. Admonish / warn the lazy
B. Encourage, help, be patient
VII. 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15
A. Keep away from or avoid the lazy vs. 6
B. Vs. 14: note (KJV) σημειόομαι: to pay special attention to something for the sake of a future recall and response—‘to take note of, to pay special attention to.’ The point being that every member of the church who is loyal to the apostle is to note dissenters personally. Though the measure has the character of an act of church discipline it is doubtful whether we are to think in terms of a public identification of those who will not work, for the order does not merely exclude from worship but also forbids daily intercourse. What is forbidden is not so much relationship in everyday things but rather specifically Christian and spiritual relationship, unless the reference is simply to common meals.
C. συναναμίγνυμι See 1 Corinthians 5.11
D. Purpose: to cause shame, embarrassment, guilt, humiliation
E. Don’t treat him as someone you would hate
F. νουθετέω: to provide instruction as to correct behavior and belief—‘to instruct, to teach, instruction, teaching;’ to admonish someone for having done something wrong—‘to admonish, to rebuke;’ to advise someone concerning the dangerous consequences of some happening or action—‘to warn, warning.’
G. As a brother a close associate of a group of persons having a well-defined membership—‘fellow believer, (Christian) brother.’
VIII. 1 Timothy 5.19-20
A. Elders, both leaders and older members
B. Evidence
C. ἐλέγχω: 1. bring to light, expose, set forth; 2. convict or convince someone of something; point something out to someone; 3. reprove, correct; 4. heightened: punish, discipline.
D. Publicly
IX. Titus 3:10-11
A. Another very specific sin: αἱρετικός: divisive, factious (asv, nasb, rsv), contentious (reb), a heretic (kjv, neb, nab), (Tit 3:10); pertaining to causing divisions—‘divisive, one who causes divisions.’
B. Couple of warnings
C. παραιτέομαι: purposely to avoid association with someone—‘to shun, to avoid, to keep away from, to have nothing to do with.’
X. General statements
A. Some sins cannot be punished because we do not know about them.
B. We neglect this because it is uncomfortable.
C. Love (agaph) wants what is best, so it corrects problems; parents or church leaders.
D. Two main purposes:
1. To correct and restore the sinner
2. To separate sin from the church so it won’t spread
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kjv King James Version
asv American Standard Version (1901)
neb New English Bible
reb Revised English Bible
njb New Jerusalem Bible
LXX The Septuagint, Greek translation of the OT
NT New Testament
cf. confer, compare
asv American Standard Version (1901)
nasb New American Standard Bible
rsv Revised Standard Version
reb Revised English Bible
kjv King James Version
neb New English Bible
nab New American Bible
