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The Purposes of Discipline

Discipline is designed to honor Christ.  

It is an act of obedience to the commands of Scripture.

Discipline is designed to restore sinners.

Matthew 18:15 states that the first consideration in discipline is that of winning or restoring the offending brother.

1 Corinthians 5:5 teaches that even exclusion from the Body and deliverance over to Satan is designed to preserve the spirit.

2 Corinthians 2:8 commands restoration to the repentant sinner.

Galatians 6:1 urges the whole church to be actively engaged in the process of restoring a sinning believer.

Any form of discipline, whether a simple warning or the ultimate act of exclusion from membership, should be understood as part of the total restoration process. The goal of discipline is not exclusion, but restoration.

Discipline is designed to maintain purity.

1 Corinthians 5:6-8 states that sin adversely affects the entire church. Sin's presence permeates the whole Body, just as Achan's sin caused the Israelite army under Joshua to experience defeat (Joshua 7:1-26).

Discipline is designed to discourage others from sinning.

1 Timothy 5:20 calls for a public rebuke of the elder who refuses to repent in order that others may fear the consequences of sin.