Excommunication is a serious action in the church. Today, we’ll learn what the Bible teaches about removing someone from fellowship and the purpose behind it.
Also Read: What Does The Bible Say About Excellence
What Does The Bible Say About Excommunication
Matthew 18:17
“If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.”
This verse discusses the process of confronting a fellow believer who has sinned. If the person remains unrepentant after being confronted personally and by a small group, the matter is to be brought before the church. If the person still doesn’t listen, they are to be treated as an outsider and separated from the fellowship.
This verse highlights the seriousness of unrepentant sin within the church and the need for discipline to maintain the purity of the body of Christ. Excommunication serves as a means of preserving the integrity of the church and ultimately seeks the redemption and restoration of the individual.
1 Corinthians 5:11
“But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people.”
In this verse, Paul instructs the Corinthian church to not associate or have fellowship with those who claim to be believers but persist in unrepentant sin. Such individuals, who engage in various forms of immorality and wickedness, should be held accountable and separated from the community of believers.
This verse emphasizes the importance of maintaining moral standards within the church and the need to confront and distance oneself from those who continue in ungodliness. It serves as a reminder of the church’s responsibility to uphold holiness while also seeking to restore and reconcile the individual with God and the body of Christ.
1 Corinthians 5:13
“God will judge those outside. ‘Expel the wicked person from among you.'”
In this verse, Paul emphasizes that it is not the role of believers to judge those outside the church. Instead, God will be the ultimate judge of those who are not part of the Christian community. Paul concludes by reiterating the importance of removing the wicked person from the fellowship.
This verse stresses the distinction between holding believers accountable within the church and leaving the judgment of those outside the church to God. It reinforces the boundary between the community of faith and the world, putting an emphasis on the need for purity and righteousness among believers.
1 Timothy 1:20
“Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme.”
In this verse, Paul mentions two individuals, Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom he handed over to Satan. This act of “handing over to Satan” implies a form of excommunication or removal from the fellowship of believers. The purpose of this discipline is to teach them a lesson and bring about their repentance.
This verse highlights the severity of persistent blasphemy and the need for discipline within the church. The act of excommunication is understood as an act of tough love meant to bring the individuals to their senses and restore them to a right relationship with God and the church.
2 John 1:10
“If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take them into your house or welcome them.”
In this verse, John warns against receiving or offering hospitality to false teachers who bring teachings that are contrary to the true message of Christ. Welcoming such individuals would imply endorsement of their false teachings and compromise the integrity of the believers and the church.
This verse emphasizes the importance of discernment and the need to protect the purity of the church’s doctrine. It reminds believers to be cautious and avoid fellowship with those who promote false teachings, ensuring that the church remains grounded in the truth of the Gospel.
2 Thessalonians 3:6
“In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers and sisters, to keep away from every believer who is idle and disruptive and does not live according to the teaching you received from us.”
Paul, in this verse, commands the Thessalonian believers to distance themselves from fellow believers who are idle, disruptive, and do not adhere to the apostolic teachings they have received. This separation aims to correct their behavior and prevent the spread of their negative influence.
This verse highlights the importance of discipline within the church and the need to confront and separate from believers who lead unruly and disobedient lives. It emphasizes the responsibility of believers to uphold the teachings of the apostles and maintain the sanctity of the church.
Romans 16:17
“I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them.”
In this verse, Paul encourages the Roman believers to be vigilant and cautious of individuals who cause divisions and oppose the teachings they have received. He advises them to distance themselves from such people in order to protect the unity and integrity of the church.
This verse underscores the importance of unity and sound doctrine within the body of Christ. It encourages believers to discern and avoid those who bring divisive teachings or engage in actions that undermine the faith and disrupt the community of believers.
1 Corinthians 15:33
“Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.'”
This verse serves as a warning against the influence of bad company and the corrupting effect it can have on an individual’s character. Paul exhorts the Corinthian believers to be cautious of the relationships they form and the people they associate with, recognizing the impact it can have on their own spiritual well-being.
This verse emphasizes the need for believers to surround themselves with individuals who encourage and strengthen their faith. It underlines the importance of choosing wise companions who will contribute to the development of godly character rather than leading them astray.
Titus 3:10
“Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them.”
In this verse, Paul instructs Titus to give two warnings to a divisive person within the church. If the person persists in causing division after the second warning, they are to be avoided and rejected. This discipline aims to protect the unity and well-being of the faith community.
This verse emphasizes the importance of addressing and confronting those who create divisions within the church. It affirms the need for accountability and separation from individuals who continue to sow discord, ensuring the health and harmony of the body of Christ.
1 Timothy 6:3-5
“If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, they are conceited and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions, and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.”
In these verses, Paul describes those who deviate from sound teaching and give in to divisive and self-serving behavior. These individuals are driven by pride, lacking true understanding of the Gospel and its implications. They engage in unnecessary controversies and create strife, leading others astray.
These verses highlight the danger of false teachings and the divisive nature of individuals who prioritize personal gain and promote falsehood. They call believers to be discerning and reject such teachings and those who propagate them, safeguarding the purity of the faith and promoting genuine godliness.
2 John 1:11
“Anyone who welcomes them shares in their wicked work.”
In this verse, John warns that by extending hospitality or support to those who propagate false teachings, believers become complicit in their wickedness. This implies that there are consequences for associating with false teachers and aligning oneself with their false doctrines.
This verse underscores the importance of maintaining doctrinal purity and avoiding any form of endorsement or support of false teachings. It emphasizes the need for believers to distance themselves from those who promote lies and expose others to dangerous and misleading ideologies.
Galatians 1:8-9
“But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God’s curse!”
Paul, in these verses, emphatically declares that anyone, including himself or even heavenly beings, who proclaims a gospel contrary to the true Gospel should be considered accursed by God. This stern warning emphasizes the importance of upholding the purity and integrity of the Gospel message.
These verses highlight the seriousness of deviating from the true message of salvation through faith in Christ alone. They caution believers against embracing or promoting false doctrines that distort or dilute the central message of the Gospel, underscoring the need for discernment and faithfulness to God’s revealed truth.
1 Corinthians 6:9-10
“Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.”
In these verses, Paul lists various sinful behaviors and states that those who continue to practice them will not inherit the kingdom of God. This serves as a reminder of the consequences of unrepentant sin and the need for believers to forsake such behaviors in light of their commitment to Christ.
These verses highlight the importance of holiness and righteous living as evidence of a genuine faith in Christ. They call believers to strive for moral purity and abstinence from practices that are contrary to God’s commands, ensuring that their lives align with God’s kingdom values.
1 Corinthians 10:21
“You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord’s table and the table of demons.”
Paul uses the analogy of partaking in the Lord’s Supper to convey the idea that one cannot simultaneously be involved in the worship and fellowship of God and engage in idolatry or demonic practices. Being part of the body of Christ implies a separation from anything that contradicts the Lordship of Jesus.
This verse emphasizes the need for believers to abstain from practices linked to idolatry or demonic influence. It underscores the exclusive allegiance believers owe to God and the incompatibility of participating in both genuine worship of God and the false worship of idols or demonic forces.
2 Timothy 3:2-5
“People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God – having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.”
In these verses, Paul describes the characteristics of people who display a false semblance of godliness but lack genuine transformation. He urges Timothy to have no association with such individuals who exhibit evil behaviors and reject the life-transforming power of the Gospel.
These verses highlight the importance of discernment and the need to avoid individuals whose lives demonstrate a clear contradiction to the values and virtues of the Christian faith. They call believers to distance themselves from those who merely put on a religious facade while rejecting the true power of godly living.
2 Thessalonians 3:14
“Take special note of anyone who does not obey our instruction in this letter. Do not associate with them, in order that they may feel ashamed.”
Paul urges the Thessalonian believers to take notice of those who refuse to obey the instructions given in his letter. He advises them to distance themselves from such individuals, hoping that their exclusion from the community will lead to conviction and subsequent repentance.
This verse emphasizes the need for discipline within the church and the potential impact of separation from the unrepentant. It serves as a means of correction and ultimately seeks the spiritual growth and restoration of the individual while protecting the integrity of the faith community.
2 John 1:7-11
“Many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist. Watch out that you do not lose what we have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully. Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take them into your house or welcome them. Anyone who welcomes them shares in their wicked work.”
In these verses, John warns of the presence of deceivers who deny the incarnation of Jesus Christ and seek to lead others astray. He cautions believers against receiving or associating with such individuals, as it would support their false teachings.
These verses underscore the importance of upholding the truth of Christ’s incarnation and the teachings of the apostles. They emphasize the need for vigilance against false teachings and the necessity of rejecting those who propagate such doctrines, thus protecting the purity of the faith and the well-being of the believers.
2 Corinthians 6:14-17
“Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: ‘I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.’ Therefore, ‘Come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.'”
In these verses, Paul emphasizes the incompatibility between believers and unbelievers. He urges believers to separate themselves from the ungodly influence and practices of those who do not follow Christ, highlighting the unique relationship they have with God.
These verses affirm the importance of maintaining a distinct identity as followers of Christ and avoiding entanglement with unbelievers who may compromise the integrity of believers’ faith and values. They call for a separation that reflects the holiness and devotion of God’s chosen people.
Romans 16:17-18
“I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery, they deceive the minds of naive people.”
Paul urges the Roman believers to be vigilant and cautious of those who cause divisions and promote teachings that contradict the apostolic instruction they have received. He advises them to distance themselves from such individuals, as they are motivated by selfish desires and use deceptive tactics.
These verses highlight the need for discernment and the importance of guarding against false teachers within the faith community. They remind believers of the destructive impact of those who sow division and spread deceptive teachings, emphasizing the necessity of preserving the unity and purity of the body of Christ.
1 Corinthians 11:27-32
“So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves. That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. But if we were more discerning with regard to ourselves, we would not come under such judgment. Nevertheless, when we are judged in this way by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be finally condemned with the world.”
Paul, in these verses, warns against partaking in the Lord’s Supper in an unworthy manner. He emphasizes the need for self-examination and discernment before participating in this sacred act, highlighting the consequences of disregarding the significance of Christ’s body and blood.
These verses emphasize the importance of approaching the Lord’s Supper with reverence and genuine repentance. They remind believers of the spiritual consequences that accompany an unworthy participation, calling for self-examination and a commitment to a worthy reception of the sacrament.
1 Timothy 4:1-3
“The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth.”
In these verses, Paul warns Timothy of the rise of false teachings in the last days. He describes the influence of deceiving spirits and hypocritical liars who promote legalistic practices and impose restrictions on marriage and certain foods.
These verses emphasize the need for discernment and the importance of remaining steadfast in the truth of the Gospel. They caution believers against the dangers of false teachings that distort God’s intended purposes and promote legalistic practices that hinder genuine faith and devotion to the Lord.