[BBC List] 5 is the magic number

Tue Apr 25 13:30:23 EAST 2006

When, Why, and How to Discipline

By John Stott

Five Practical Guidelines from 2 Thessalonians 3:14

This following extended quotation is taken from John Stott’s The Message of
1 & 2 Thessalonians in “The Bible Speaks Today” commentary series
(Inter-Varsity Press, 1991), pp. 193-94. 

The administration of discipline has fallen into disuse, and the thought of
reviving it is viewed with distaste. Our Lord and his apostles were of a
different opinion, however, and 2 Thessalonians 3:14 lays down five
practical guidelines on when, why and how discipline should be exercised. 

1. The need for discipline does not arise from some trivial offence which
can be dealt with discreetly in private, but from a public, deliberate and
persistent disobedience to plain apostolic instruction. In the case of the
ataktoi, Paul had repeatedly communicated the apostles’ teaching by word of
mouth, personal example and letter. The Christian standard in this matter
was not in doubt. But the culprits were showing a spirit of defiance. It was
those who obstinately refused to obey (14) who, Paul said, must now be
disciplined. 

2. The nature of the discipline which Paul demanded was a measure of social
ostracism. The idlers had already received a general admonition (1 Thes.
5:14). But now, because they had disregarded it, the loyal church members
were to keep aloof from them (6). Then, if anyone continued in disobedience,
they were to ‘take special note of him’, which implies ‘some form of public
censure’,37 and not to ‘associate with him’ (14). This verb is
synanameignymi, to ‘mingle or associate with’ (BAGD). Paul will use it again
later when telling the Corinthians not to have fellowship or even eat with
Christian brothers who are openly guilty of such offences as immorality,
dishonesty, idolatry and drunkenness.38 But the verb may imply differing
degrees of ostracism, ranging from the total separation involved in
excommunication (as at Corinth) to the more moderate avoidance of free and
familiar fellowship (as at Thessalonica). ‘Let there be no intimate
association with him’39 is Paul’s meaning here, rather than RSV’s harsher
expression, ‘have nothing to do with him’. For this injunction of the
apostle’s is qualified by the further one to continue regarding and treating
him as a Christian brother (15). 

3. The responsibility for administrating discipline to a persistent offender
belongs to the congregation. Paul does not address his instructions to the
elders of the Thessalonian church who are ‘over’ them ‘in the Lord’, even
though they have a special responsibility of admonition (1 Thes. 5:12 and
14). 

4. The spirit in which discipline is to be administered must be friendly,
not hostile. It is to be done ‘gently’.40 ‘Do not regard him as an enemy’
(15a), for that would be equivalent to treating him like ‘a pagan or a tax
collector’,41 that is, excommunicating him. Instead, ‘warn him as a brother’
(15b), continuing to give him fraternal admonition (the verb is noutheteô,
as in 1 Thes. 5:12 and 14). 

5. The purpose of this discipline is positive and constructive. It is not to
humiliate delinquents, still less destroy them. It is rather to make them
‘feel ashamed’ (v.14), that is, to shame them into repentance for the past
and amendment of life in the future. Paul’s intention is not that he be
excluded from the community, but reinstated in it.42 Jesus had made this
plain by saying that if an offender listens to reproof, ‘you have won your
brother over’.43 

37. Bicknell, p. 94.
38. 1 Cor. 5:9, 11.
39. Frame, pp. 298, 308.
40. Gal. 6:1.
41. Mt. 18:17.
42. Cf. Gal. 6:1.
43. Mt. 18:15.

Charis, 

Mike Abendroth 

"Make us choose the harder right instead of the easier wrong, and never to
be contented with half truth when whole truth can be won.  Endow us with
courage that is born of loyalty to all that is noble and worthy, that scorns
to compromise with vice and injustice and knows no fear when right and truth
are in jeopardy."

 - West Point Military Academy Cadet Prayer 

HYPERLINK "http://www.bbcchurch.org"www.bbcchurch.org 

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