The Assembly (Part 9/9) – Church Discipline

It may be useful to point out that the New Testament speaks of at least ten forms of discipline, all of which we should consider in the light of Scripture. We should generally consider the first nine before we consider the tenth. Discipline can be paternal, fraternal, or congregational, preventive and corrective, or a necessary action to put away the wicked because all other forms of discipline would not be sufficient, and only the Lord can bring about restoration. Every form of discipline has the goal of bringing about correction, realignment, or restoration. We should always be aware of this.

1. Fatherly discipline (1 Tim. 5:1, 2; cf. 2 Tim. 4:2 and Heb. 12:10);
2. Brotherly discipline (Mt 18:15-17);
3. Corrective discipline for disorder (1 Thes 5:14);
4. Discipline by withdrawing from disorder (2 Thes 3:6);
5. Discipline by avoiding (Rom 16:17);
6. Public discipline by reproof (1 Tim 5:20; cf. Gal 2:14);
7. Discipline by marking/noting (2 Thes 3:14);
8. Discipline by rejecting a sectarian (Tit 3:10)
9. Discipline by the requirement to keep silent (Tit 1:10, 11; cf. 1 Tim 1:3);
10. Discipline by exclusion/putting out (1 Cor 5:12, 13)

A slightly different classification of the types of discipline is as follows:

• Personal discipline
  – Rebuke of a disorderly person (1 Thes 5:14)
  – Brotherly discipline (Mt 18:15-17; Eph 5:11; 2 Tim 4:2; Tit 1:9, 13; Jude 22)
  – Fatherly discipline (Gal 6:1-3)
• Rebuke in the assembly
  – Noting/marking of a disorderly person (2 Thes 3:14,15)
  – Rebuking those who have sinned (1 Tim 5:20).
• Imposing silence (1 Tim 1:3; Tit 1:11)
• Dealing with sectarians
  – Avoiding (Rom 16:17, 18; 2 Tim 2:21; 3:5)
  – Rejecting (Tit 3:10, 11)
• Discipline through the assembly à putting out (Mt 18:17, 18; 1 Cor 5:1-13)