By R. L. Morrison

The subject of discipline is one that seems to be seldom discussed among churches of Christ today. It seems the majority are not interested and possibly some doubt that it is taught in the New Testament. If so, it should not be discussed or practiced. However, one who studies the scriptures will soon learn that it is taught there, and that when necessary, it should be practiced.

We refer, of course, to church discipline, as this is not the only area in which discipline is to be exercised. No one should doubt that God intended for civil government (which is God ordained) to exercise discipline. The first six verses of Romans 13 set forth the responsibility of civil governments. Paul taught "that it beareth not the sword in vain." This involves capital punishment when necessary. But sometimes governments as well as congregations fail to obey.

Also, God authorizes discipline in the home. In Eph. 5:22-33, 6:1-4 and Col. 3:18-21, Paul teaches husbands, wives and children their responsibilities one to another. The wise man has also given instruction to husbands, wives and children. Turn to Proverbs 23:12-14; 23:22-24. There is much more, but this should be sufficient for this study. God has always required discipline; therefore it should not be considered a strange thing that He requires it in the church today.

In 1 Cor. 5, Paul wrote to that church saying: "It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife." He went on to say, although he was absent in body, he was present in spirit, and had judged the man who had done this deed. Now, we read verses 4 and 5. "In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of the Lord Jesus Christ, to deliver such a one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ." Now verse 13: "Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person." I seriously doubt that anyone would deny Paul taught them to exercise discipline; to put the man out, refusing to fellowship him. The purpose was to make him aware of his sinful manner of life and to lead him to repent, which would require him to separate himself from his "wife". It was successful, for in his second letter, Paul referred to it again (2 Cor. 2:6-8): "Sufficient to such a man is their punishment, which was inflicted of many. So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow. Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him." God's plan for discipline worked. The sinner was disciplined, realized his error, repented and was forgiven.

I doubt that one could be found today who has his "father's wife." But it is not to be doubted that many have "some other man's wife." This is not intended to be a study of "marriage, divorce and remarriage", but I will refer to Jesus statement in Matthew 19:9: "And I say unto you, whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery; and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery." There is no point in looking for a passage of scripture which will contradict or "do away" with what Jesus said. There are those who try, but to no avail. IF it was wrong in Corinth for one man to have another man's wife, it is wrong today. If not, WHY NOT? Yet, I fear the congregations are few and far between who are NOT confronted with this situation. If discipline was required in the first century (and it was), why is it not required today? Has the New Testament changed? Are we not required to obey the laws of God the apostles delivered? Who would dare to deny it?

Now consider what Paul wrote elsewhere (Romans 16:17-18): "Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrines which ye have learned, and avoid them. For they that are such serve not the Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple (innocent)." Paul warned the brethren in Rome of trouble makers in the church. He said "Mark them." Be aware of who they are. Do not close your eyes to what they are doing. Do not make excuses for them. Do not overlook or turn away from those who cause occasions of stumbling contrary to the gospel. He says avoid them, and have no fellowship with those who promote the evil works of darkness. Some say, "This does not mean to withdraw from them." If not, what does it mean? We need to remember that such a one is the enemy of Christ. These do not promote peace and harmony, but rather sow discord and division. Smooth, fair speech, generally always evasive, is the stock in trade of the deceiver. If he should say, "I am a wolf in sheep's clothing", who would listen, who would follow? But he does NOT so state, he deceives, and leads brethren astray. Paul says such a one is to be marked, excluded from the fellowship of the saints. Such are to be disciplined.

Reference 2 Thess. 3:6: "Now we command you brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition (teaching) which ye received of us." Let's examine this. He says: "In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ." This means by the authority of Christ. He commands it. Then he says "Brethren". IF Christians are to be faithful to Christ, withdrawal from the disorderly MUST be done when necessary. What some may think about this does not change it, nor does THINKING only, justify a refusal to obey. And there is no "better way " than the way the Lord commanded it. Then Paul says that ye "withdraw yourselves". This requires more than just a public announcement by the elders or the preacher. This involves "every brother"; those who are standing for the truth and those who are walking disorderly. But what is walking disorderly? It is a military term that describes one who does not "keep in step". It means a continual walking or living contrary to the teaching of the New Testament. It concerns the manner of life one lives day by day. Every Christian should know that he is in the world but not OF the world. There is a great difference and it must be recognized. In verse 14, he writes: "And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him that he may be ashamed."

Paul did NOT say that every brother who makes a mistake is to be disciplined. We can all be (and are) overtaken in a fault. But it does not follow that we can continue in it. This passage has to do with man's continual action, the manner of life one lives day by day, the person who persists in living a sinful life. When such a one will not repent, will not walk uprightly, but deliberately continues to sin, such a one is to be excluded from the fellowship of the church. This means to be withdrawn from. The faithful MUST act. Those who REFUSE to do so are guilty of sin before God; a refusal to obey.

Again; this is the Lord's commandment. It is not OF man or BY man. This is what God expects of His people. Brethren, we cannot improve upon His plan. Some apparently seem to think that we can. Sometimes some seem to think that we should not treat Bro. So&So that way. Maybe if we just leave him alone and be good to him, he will repent. But it takes the gospel to save the sinner. And exercising discipline is God's plan for saving sinners and keeping the church pure.

Now let's see if we can determine WHY it is necessary to withdraw from an unruly brother or sister who refuses to walk uprightly. First, as just suggested, its purpose is to save the erring. It is NOT to "get even" with a brother or sister. It is NOT to lord it over them. It is NOT to belittle them. It is NOT to be done with an improper attitude. It is NOT because of a lack of love for that person. In fact, it IS because of love for them, and concern for their spiritual welfare. It is because we understand that IF they continue to follow that pattern of life they will be eternally lost.

The Bible teaches parents to discipline their children, even though the law of the land forbids it. But why? Because parents love their children. And further, because parents want to (or at least they should) teach them to respect authority, authority of parents and others also, as well as the difference in right and wrong. Now, do you think that perhaps these are the same reasons God demands discipline in His family, the church? Don't you think God loves us and desires our eternal salvation? When we persist in error, why does God require discipline? This is God's plan, his orders, and we dare not try to change them or try to improve upon them.

But there is something more that needs to be considered. It is sometimes misunderstood and as a result, it is misapplied.

In Matthew 18:15-17, Jesus said: "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. 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. And if he neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as a heathen man and a publican." This has a different background than the other passages we have been considering. Jesus talked about a personal thing, something between two brethren. It does not have to do necessarily with the teaching of false doctrine, or an effort to divide the church. Such a thing would be against ALL, not just one brother. But he told them how to settle this personal thing. Go to him, talk to him, try to settle the matter between the two of you. But if this cannot be done take two or more with you and try again. But if he refuses to hear, and no settlement or agreement can be made, then take it before the church. If he refuses to hear the church or to make an agreement and settle the problem, then let him be as a heathen man or a publican. Would not this be equal to dis-fellowshipping, or withdrawing from one? In the beginning, it was simply a personal matter, but in the end it requires the action of the church.

This is not to say that when error is being taught in the congregation, one is to approach the false teacher as Jesus instructed in these scriptures. When Paul heard about the adulterer in Corinth, he did not go to the man alone. He wrote a letter to the church telling them what they should do about it. They did it and the man repented and was restored. A teacher or preacher who is aware of such things would have cause or reason to address the whole church on the matter. It would not necessarily be a personal matter, but rather a thing that could and probably would affect the entire church. Why should not the whole church be made aware of the thing, if they had not already learned of it? I do not believe the situation of which Jesus spoke is parallel to the scriptures that have been examined, although the end result might be the same.

But what should be the attitude of the church toward those who have been disciplined? In 1 Cor. 5:9-11, He told them that they should not keep company with fornicators. But he also said, not altogether with fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or exhortioners, nor idolaters. If ye do so, ye must go out of this world. Now verse 11: "But I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner, with such a one no, not to eat. This should need little explanation, if any. The Christian is to have no association with a brother or sister who has been dis-fellowshipped. All social relationships must come to an end. Otherwise the guilty one may come to feel there is nothing amiss. What I have done as well as what I am doing is not wrong. About the only encouragement one can offer such a person is to exhort him (or her) to cease the evil practices of which they are guilty, to repent and pray for forgiveness. When this was done in Corinth the church was encouraged to receive the erring brother and encourage him to remain faithful. Should not the same thing be done today under like circumstances? If not, why not?

But there is another idea and practice that should be considered in this study. It is sometimes worded as a question. How can the church withdraw from one who has already withdrawn from the congregation? This situation has existed, does exist and probably will continue to exist. Let me suggest first, that I am not speaking of a person, persons or a family who may move to another congregation for personal reasons. They may have moved and want to attend and worship with a church nearer home. Perhaps they feel that they can be of more assistance to the congregation they plan to worship with. Surely no one would deny sincere Christians the privilege of choosing the congregation they wish to be associated with. Situations like these are not under consideration in this study. But for example, here is one person, even two, or perhaps several, who are never satisfied with the arrangements or worship, or hardly anything else. They continually find fault. They always look for an opportunity to criticize or create a problem. They keep themselves and the whole church in a confused condition. Finally, it comes to the point where much contention arises and they decide to leave, and do so. Is it enough for the church to say "Good riddance", and then try to forget the whole matter? Or should it be made known that these people are no longer in fellowship with the congregation? Should they be considered as people who have forsaken the way of righteousness? What do you think God's attitude toward the whole thing is?

Do you think a teacher who is teaching error, who is known as such, one who tries to retain his fellowship with a local congregation, or who eventually separates himself from it should be allowed to go free? Do you think he should not be exposed for what he is? What is your standard? By what do you live? Do you think the New Testament teaches that such a one should be marked, and discipline exercised, and he be withdrawn from? Is the New Testament teaching clear and plain on this subject? Does it tell us what to do in such circumstances?

Again: Such action as we have described is walking disorderly. If they have already withdrawn themselves, why is there so much objection to the church doing some withdrawing? Does the church not have the responsibility of not only making its own members aware of its action as well as letting the world know that the manner of life these people live is not in harmony with God's will? I know the world is not particularly interested in what the church does, but some might take notice and be lead to seek the truth. Brethren, it is not right for people to withdraw, and the church refuses to obey the commands of the Lord to separate itself from those who walk ungodly. Undoubtedly, more people will be saved eternally, when the church accepts and fulfills its responsibility in this realm.

This principle is to be applied to discipline in the church. The longer the false teacher or factionist remains, the more people will be involved in it. Soon all peace, harmony and love among brethren is destroyed. The church will become a laughing stock in the community. Such a condition in a congregation cannot be hidden. Generally, the whole community watches the church of Christ far more than any other. There are some who can remember the events of thirty, forty, or more years ago, who know this is true. The effects of many of those things can be seen in various states in our country today.

These things are not intended as an indictment or accusation against any congregation of the church of Christ anywhere. I fully know that every congregation is self governing. That is the way they were brought into existence. I am not trying to tell any congregation what to do, except obey the word of God. But in more than 57 years of trying to preach the gospel, I have observed many things. Some of them concerned discipline or the lack of it. Hopefully, these things will be of value to some who read them. Study the scriptures to see if they are true. If you find them to be so, accept them. If not, reject them and study to learn the truth. When you have learned it, then obey it and be saved eternally.

But finally this question is asked again: Why exercise discipline? Why don't you just leave people alone?" The reply: Because God commands it!

Perhaps I can give an illustration that will help some. If you went to the grocery store and bought a bag of potatoes, apples or onions and when you examine them closely at home you find a rotten one, what do you do? Most people will remove the rotten one. Why? Because the rot that infects the one will soon spread to every other apple, potato or onion in the bag. We all realize the necessity of removing the "bad" one before the others are infected. Apply this principle to discipline in the church, and you can easily see and understand why God commands it to be done.

Are you living God's commandments?