Category: Discipline

The sermon establishes God’s intent in directing Christian’s to withdraw their fellowship from the unrepentant sinner among them. In doing so, the faithful protect themselves from the leavening influence of sin, and seek to bring the sinner to repentance. (1 Corinthians 5)

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In these verses, the apostle deals with a particular situation involving sin in the congregation. He identifies a man who was guilty of having sexual relations with his father’s wife. The wording here would indicate a stepmother.

However, Paul does not deal with the man himself. In fact, he says that he has already judged in the matter (vs. 3). The man was guilty, and stood condemned before God.

Here Paul is addressing the Corinthians lack of action. He tells them that they should have already removed the man from their midst, and called their refusal to do so an act of pride (cf. vs. 2, 6).

Here Paul reveals the congregational action that is required when an individual is in rebellion to God. By Christ’s authority the congregation is to come together, and mark and banish him as one unworthy of Christian fellowship. Other reasons for this action follow in later verses, but in verse 5 he states one of the most compelling ones, “that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.”

Brethren, congregational discipline saves men’s souls.

This sermon examines the proper attitude toward the giving and receiving of admonition as Christians.

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Paul exhorted the Thessalonians in his first epistle to , “…warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all” (5:14).

It seems to me that Paul was trying to get the Thessalonians to look out for and take care of each other. Sometimes, to take care of someone, you must warn them. Tell them of the consequences of their actions, so that they will not lose their standing with God. Other Christians may need comfort. The idea of “fainthearted” here indicates someone who is discouraged or troubled in spirit. Finally, some may be weak, and need to be upheld. We need to stick with those who are struggling, including babes in Christ, and support them until they become strong, and can do the same for others.

Simply put, we are to love each other!

Stan

It was F.B. Meyer, I believe, who once said that when we see a brother or sister in sin, there are two things we do not know: First, we do not know how hard he or she tried not to sin. And second, we do not know the power of the forces that assailed him or her. We also do not know what we would have done in the same circumstances.

Stephen Brown, Christianity Today, April 5, 1993, p. 17.

The point is not to ignore or tolerate the sin of a brother. Paul admonished the Corinthians for their acceptance of immorality into the church, (cf. 1 Corinthians 5), and instructed them to “deliver such a one to Satan.”

However, that same individual, upon his repentance, received Paul’s pity. “Therefore I urge you to reaffirm your love to him” (2 Corinthians 2:8).

Our approach to the sinner should be one of humility and compassion, even as we seek to discipline him in his sin. “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted” (Galatians 6:1).

Podcast Number 55

The apostle Paul describes the work of an evangelist in 2 Timothy 4:2-4 to be, in part, exposing those who teach error. The evangelist must do so readily, and with longsuffering. But, it must be done!

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AOTS Number 32

The apostle Paul in his letter to the Thessalonians gives an admonition to deal patiently with those who are weak. It is one we must all heed carefully.

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Those in error (doctrinally or morally), guilty of trespasses against God, are in danger of losing their souls. It is the responsibility of the spiritually minded child of God to restore the erring in a spirit of meekness.

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