– 6 Min Read
Introduction
We have all been shopping in the grocery store and have seen a spoiled child throwing a tantrum while the parent is idly standing by. You may overhear empty threats from the parent about walking away on the count of three or a softly spoken “That’s not how we behave…” The onlookers of this scene have great disappointment in the child and no respect for the parent. The proverb always comes to mind, “He who holds back his rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him diligently” (Prov. 13:24). The parent and the child both have no shame in what they are doing. But they would if society collectively put them to shame. But do we feel this way towards churches and their members? When we observe a church and its unruly members behaving similarly, how should our reaction be any different? The answer, in fact, is that we should feel even more disappointment in this scenario. This is because Christ’s name and His church are being brought into disrepute. So, how should churches practice church discipline that serves to help everyone, including other churches?
Let us first acknowledge that without church membership, there can be no real church discipline. If a church practices open communion, then, again, there can be no real church discipline. Jesus handed down a protocol in Matthew 18:15-18 on how the local church is to handle its unrepentant sinful members. These members are to be approached and rebuked for their sin by the offended, then one or two more witnesses are to be involved in the unresolved matter, then the entire church is to be brought up to speed; if the unrepentant member remains obstinate, then they are to be cast out of the church. Jesus tells us that this is what the keys to the kingdom of heaven are to be used for (Matt. 16:19, 18:18). This is not unique to Jesus, but the Apostle Paul also expanded upon this holy order (1 Cor. 5:3-5,9-13).
But then what? You have a person who claims to be a believer, and a church that claims that they are not a true believer. That unrepentant person could then just go next door or down the street to another church and be welcomed in. This doesn’t help the individual, for public shame has not had its full effect. We should consider the words of Paul on this matter.
And if anyone does not obey our word in this letter, take special note of that person to not associate with him, so that he will be put to shame. 15 And yet do not regard him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.
– 2 Thessalonians 3:14-15 (LSB)
One may ask, what does it mean for the church to “take special note” of a person? This indeed is a silly question to ask, for the rest of Paul’s words bring enlightenment to the reader’s understanding. Paul exhorts the church to “not associate with” the disobedient person “so that he will be put to shame.” For a congregation to do this, it must identify the person who is being insubordinate. This means that the church leaders must inform the congregation by marking the unruly individual. The word in the Greek means “to mark” or “to distinguish by mark.” Commenting on this text, Calvin explains:
In short, those that do not obey after being admonished, he excludes from the common society of believers. By this we are taught that we must employ the discipline of excommunication against all the obstinate persons who will not otherwise allow themselves to be brought under subjection, and must be branded with disgrace, until, having been brought under and subdued, they learn to obey.
– John Calvin, Commentary on 2nd Thessalonians
Calvin speaks of church discipline as a means of grace to the so-called brother. The goal in this discipline is that they may “learn to obey.” Like the child in the grocery store, who undergoes no discipline of any kind from his parent, so are our church members, who undergo no discipline from the church – they have not been trained to obey. Paul had already prescribed this treatment of the unruly back in v.6:
Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from every brother who walks in an unruly manner and not according to the tradition which they received from us.
– 2 Thessalonians 3:6 (LSB)
This is not a new concept in the Bible. God does not tolerate indecency in His assembly. Moses explains this to the Israelites before they entered the promised land; “Since Yahweh your God walks in the midst of your camp to deliver you and to give your enemies over to you, therefore your camp must be holy; and He must not see anything indecent among you, or He will turn away from you” (Deut. 23:14). Jesus reiterated that we are to be perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect (Matt. 5:48). The church must take special note and put to shame those who are unruly and unrepentant for many reasons. Commenting on 2nd Thessalonians 3:14, Calvin explains:
That he may be ashamed. There are, it is true, other ends to be served by excommunication — that contagion may spread no farther, that the personal wickedness of one individual may not tend to the common disgrace of the Church, and that the example of severity may induce others to fear, (1 Timothy 5:20); but Paul touches upon this one merely — that those who have sinned may by shame be constrained to repentance. For those that please themselves in their vices become more and more obstinate: thus sin is nourished by indulgence and dissimulation. This, therefore, is the best remedy — when a feeling of shame is awakened in the mind of the offender, so that he begins to be displeased with himself. It would, indeed, be a small point gained to have individuals made ashamed; but Paul had an eye to farther progress — when the offender, confounded by a discovery of his own baseness, is led in this way to a full amendment: for shame, like sorrow, is a useful preparation for hatred of sin. Hence all that become wanton must, as I have said, be restrained by this bridle, lest their audacity should be increased in consequence of impunity.
– John Calvin, Commentary on 2nd Thessalonians
The disciplinary action of the church is not flogging, for that is too weak; It is not a financial penalty, for that is too cheap. It cannot be anything other than public shame, for that alone just may pierce the heart of the unruly believer and spur them towards repentance. And this is not only for the benefit of the local church and the possible benefit of the soul of the unrepentant person, but also a benefit for all the other churches that may come in contact with this individual. Paul regularly made special note of traitors of the faith and unruly believers, and shared that intel with other churches (Galatians 2:11, 1 Timothy 1:20, 2 Timothy 1:15, 2:17, 4:10, 14), as did John (3 John 9). The shame will not have its effect on the one cast out if they are immediately brought back into another church.
Conclusion
Church discipline is certainly a messy thing, but it is a necessary thing. Some may not have the stomach for church discipline, but this is only because they do not have a stomach for God’s law either. We should never cringe or recoil at God’s law. God loves His law just as much as He loves His gospel [1]. It is vitally important that we consider the reputation of Christ’s church, not just our local church, but all the other churches that form the Bride of Christ. We must also consider the soul of the unrepentant, for it is hanging in the balance, and we wish not to encourage them or make them comfortable in their unforsaken sin. We can meditate on the words of Paul: “deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of his flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord” (1 Cor. 5:5). Pastors are especially to be involved in church discipline, “for they keep watch over [the people’s] souls as those who will give an account” (Heb. 13:17). Anticipating the angst of this topic of discussion I would just end with the sharp words of Richard Baxter.
Against all that I have said in behalf of discipline you will plead, “Our people are not ready for it; they will not yet bear it.” But is not the meaning of this that you will not bear the trouble and hatred which it will occasion? I beseech you, in order that you may make a comfortable account to the Chief Shepherd and that you may not be found unfaithful in the house of God, that you do not shrink from duty because of the trouble that may attend it.
– Richard Baxter, The Reformed Pastor
Works Cited
[1] I attribute this quote to Tom Ascol.