100 Bible Verses about Church Discipline

Galatians 6:1 ESV / 3,735 helpful votes

Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.

Titus 3:10 ESV / 3,321 helpful votes

As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him,

James 5:19-20 ESV / 3,110 helpful votes

My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

Romans 16:17-18 ESV / 3,093 helpful votes

I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.

2 Thessalonians 3:6 ESV / 2,675 helpful votes

Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us.

1 Corinthians 5:1-13 ESV / 2,668 helpful votes

It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans, for a man has his father's wife. And you are arrogant! Ought you not rather to mourn? Let him who has done this be removed from among you. For though absent in body, I am present in spirit; and as if present, I have already pronounced judgment on the one who did such a thing. When you are assembled in the name of the Lord Jesus and my spirit is present, with the power of our Lord Jesus, you are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord. ...

Matthew 18:15 ESV / 2,661 helpful votes

“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.

Matthew 18:15-20 ESV / 2,654 helpful votes

“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. ...

1 Corinthians 5:11 ESV / 2,574 helpful votes

But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one.

Titus 2:15 ESV / 2,536 helpful votes

Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.

1 Timothy 1:20 ESV / 2,510 helpful votes

Among whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.

Matthew 18:17 ESV / 2,399 helpful votes

If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.

2 Thessalonians 3:14 ESV / 2,386 helpful votes

If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed.

Matthew 18:15-17 ESV / 2,334 helpful votes

“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.

Hebrews 12:6 ESV / 2,195 helpful votes

For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.”

Proverbs 12:1 ESV / 2,153 helpful votes

Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.

2 Thessalonians 3:14-15 ESV / 2,125 helpful votes

If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed. Do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.

Titus 3:9-11 ESV / 2,035 helpful votes

But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.

Matthew 18:16 ESV / 2,022 helpful votes

But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses.

Hebrews 13:17 ESV / 1,943 helpful votes

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.

1 Corinthians 5:5 ESV / 1,939 helpful votes

You are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord.

Hebrews 12:10 ESV / 1,888 helpful votes

For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness.

Hebrews 12:11 ESV / 1,845 helpful votes

For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

1 Thessalonians 5:14 ESV / 1,824 helpful votes

And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.

Titus 1:13 ESV / 1,815 helpful votes

This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith,

2 Timothy 1:7 ESV / 1,808 helpful votes

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

Revelation 2:5 ESV / 1,776 helpful votes

Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.

Romans 16:17 ESV / 1,763 helpful votes

I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.

Proverbs 13:24 ESV / 1,753 helpful votes

Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.

1 Corinthians 5:4 ESV / 1,696 helpful votes

When you are assembled in the name of the Lord Jesus and my spirit is present, with the power of our Lord Jesus,

2 Timothy 2:24-26 ESV / 1,655 helpful votes

And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.

2 Corinthians 2:5-11 ESV / 1,628 helpful votes

Now if anyone has caused pain, he has caused it not to me, but in some measure—not to put it too severely—to all of you. For such a one, this punishment by the majority is enough, so you should rather turn to forgive and comfort him, or he may be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. So I beg you to reaffirm your love for him. For this is why I wrote, that I might test you and know whether you are obedient in everything. ...

2 Timothy 2:16-18 ESV / 1,591 helpful votes

But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have swerved from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already happened. They are upsetting the faith of some.

1 Corinthians 5:1 ESV / 1,583 helpful votes

It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans, for a man has his father's wife.

1 Corinthians 5:13 ESV / 1,580 helpful votes

God judges those outside. “Purge the evil person from among you.”

Proverbs 22:15 ESV / 1,492 helpful votes

Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from him.

2 Corinthians 2:8 ESV / 1,491 helpful votes

So I beg you to reaffirm your love for him.

Titus 3:10-11 ESV / 1,486 helpful votes

As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.

2 Thessalonians 3:6-15 ESV / 1,478 helpful votes

Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone's bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate. For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. ...

Revelation 3:19 ESV / 1,474 helpful votes

Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.

Acts 26:20 ESV / 1,474 helpful votes

But declared first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout all the region of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their repentance.

Ephesians 6:4 ESV / 1,457 helpful votes

Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

1 Timothy 5:19 ESV / 1,436 helpful votes

Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses.

Proverbs 29:15 ESV / 1,434 helpful votes

The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.

1 Timothy 5:8 ESV / 1,427 helpful votes

But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

1 Corinthians 5:7 ESV / 1,422 helpful votes

Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.

Proverbs 3:11-12 ESV / 1,398 helpful votes

My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline or be weary of his reproof, for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.

Galatians 6:1-2 ESV / 1,380 helpful votes

Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

1 Peter 5:3 ESV / 1,356 helpful votes

Not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.

Proverbs 23:13-14 ESV / 1,356 helpful votes

Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you strike him with a rod, he will not die. If you strike him with the rod, you will save his soul from Sheol.

Proverbs 29:17 ESV / 1,353 helpful votes

Discipline your son, and he will give you rest; he will give delight to your heart.

Titus 1:8 ESV / 1,348 helpful votes

But hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined.

2 Thessalonians 3:13-15 ESV / 1,332 helpful votes

As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good. If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed. Do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.

2 Corinthians 2:6-8 ESV / 1,310 helpful votes

For such a one, this punishment by the majority is enough, so you should rather turn to forgive and comfort him, or he may be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. So I beg you to reaffirm your love for him.

Hebrews 10:26 ESV / 1,304 helpful votes

For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,

2 John 1:9-10 ESV / 1,302 helpful votes

Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting,

1 Timothy 5:1-2 ESV / 1,299 helpful votes

Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity.

Ephesians 4:15 ESV / 1,285 helpful votes

Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,

1 Timothy 5:1 ESV / 1,275 helpful votes

Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers,

1 Corinthians 5:4-5 ESV / 1,275 helpful votes

When you are assembled in the name of the Lord Jesus and my spirit is present, with the power of our Lord Jesus, you are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord.

Matthew 5:24-25 ESV / 1,271 helpful votes

Leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison.

Galatians 1:9 ESV / 1,269 helpful votes

As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.

Proverbs 22:6 ESV / 1,259 helpful votes

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.

1 Timothy 5:20 ESV / 1,247 helpful votes

As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear.

Joshua 7:1-26 ESV / 1,239 helpful votes

But the people of Israel broke faith in regard to the devoted things, for Achan the son of Carmi, son of Zabdi, son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of the devoted things. And the anger of the Lord burned against the people of Israel. Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is near Beth-aven, east of Bethel, and said to them, “Go up and spy out the land.” And the men went up and spied out Ai. And they returned to Joshua and said to him, “Do not have all the people go up, but let about two or three thousand men go up and attack Ai. Do not make the whole people toil up there, for they are few.” So about three thousand men went up there from the people. And they fled before the men of Ai, and the men of Ai killed about thirty-six of their men and chased them before the gate as far as Shebarim and struck them at the descent. And the hearts of the people melted and became as water. ...

2 Corinthians 2:6 ESV / 1,237 helpful votes

For such a one, this punishment by the majority is enough,

Job 5:17 ESV / 1,221 helpful votes

“Behold, blessed is the one whom God reproves; therefore despise not the discipline of the Almighty.

Revelation 2:14-16 ESV / 1,215 helpful votes

But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality. So also you have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans. Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth.

1 Peter 1:16 ESV / 1,212 helpful votes

Since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

Hebrews 13:7 ESV / 1,142 helpful votes

Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV / 1,141 helpful votes

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

Deuteronomy 8:5-6 ESV / 1,135 helpful votes

Know then in your heart that, as a man disciplines his son, the Lord your God disciplines you. So you shall keep the commandments of the Lord your God by walking in his ways and by fearing him.

1 Corinthians 5:12 ESV / 1,134 helpful votes

For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge?

1 Corinthians 5:2 ESV / 1,132 helpful votes

And you are arrogant! Ought you not rather to mourn? Let him who has done this be removed from among you.

1 Corinthians 6:9-10 ESV / 1,124 helpful votes

Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.

Proverbs 23:13 ESV / 1,119 helpful votes

Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you strike him with a rod, he will not die.

James 5:14-20 ESV / 1,118 helpful votes

Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit. ...

Galatians 1:8-9 ESV / 1,117 helpful votes

But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.

Matthew 7:1 ESV / 1,117 helpful votes

“Judge not, that you be not judged.

Proverbs 10:17 ESV / 1,112 helpful votes

Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life, but he who rejects reproof leads others astray.

Proverbs 13:1 ESV / 1,110 helpful votes

A wise son hears his father's instruction, but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.

Matthew 18:1-35 ESV / 1,085 helpful votes

At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, ...

1 Corinthians 5:9-13 ESV / 1,084 helpful votes

I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one. For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? God judges those outside. “Purge the evil person from among you.”

Hebrews 12:9 ESV / 1,080 helpful votes

Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live?

Revelation 1:1 ESV / 1,060 helpful votes

The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,

Matthew 18:18-19 ESV / 1,052 helpful votes

Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.

John 3:16-17 ESV / 1,050 helpful votes

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

2 Timothy 4:2 ESV / 1,045 helpful votes

Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.

1 John 1:9 ESV / 1,037 helpful votes

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1 Timothy 5:21 ESV / 1,029 helpful votes

In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels I charge you to keep these rules without prejudging, doing nothing from partiality.

2 Timothy 2:17-18 ESV / 1,027 helpful votes

And their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have swerved from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already happened. They are upsetting the faith of some.

1 Timothy 3:10 ESV / 1,016 helpful votes

And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless.

1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 ESV / 1,016 helpful votes

We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.

1 Timothy 5:19-20 ESV / 1,014 helpful votes

Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear.

Deuteronomy 19:15 ESV / 1,005 helpful votes

“A single witness shall not suffice against a person for any crime or for any wrong in connection with any offense that he has committed. Only on the evidence of two witnesses or of three witnesses shall a charge be established.

2 Corinthians 2:7 ESV / 970 helpful votes

So you should rather turn to forgive and comfort him, or he may be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow.

1 Corinthians 5:9 ESV / 943 helpful votes

I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people—

Exodus 20:12 ESV / 920 helpful votes

“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.

1 Corinthians 5:12-13 ESV / 899 helpful votes

For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? God judges those outside. “Purge the evil person from among you.”

2 Thessalonians 3:15 ESV / 805 helpful votes

Do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.

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