Why is church discipline an act of love?

Church discipline is an act of love because it seeks the restoration of the sinner, protects the holiness of the church, guards the integrity of the gospel, and reflects God’s loving discipline toward His children.

Is church discipline meant to punish believers?

No. Biblical church discipline is not punitive or controlling. Scripture presents it as corrective and restorative, aimed at repentance, reconciliation, and spiritual growth, not humiliation or punishment.

Church Discipline as an Act of Love

⏱️ Estimated Reading Time: 4 min read

Church Discipline as an Act of Love

Church discipline is often misunderstood in the modern church. For many believers, it sounds harsh, judgmental, or unkind. Yet when we open the Word of God, we see that biblical discipline is one of the clearest expressions of the Lord’s love for His people and one of the most important responsibilities of a faithful local church.

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Episode Summary

In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins explains why church discipline is not cruelty or control, but an act of love. Drawing from Hebrews 12, Matthew 18, 1 Corinthians 5, and Galatians 6, this episode shows how biblical discipline seeks restoration, protects the church, guards the gospel, and reflects the loving discipline of our heavenly Father.

Full Article

Few doctrines are as misunderstood or as neglected in the modern church as biblical church discipline. Many assume it is harsh, judgmental, or incompatible with love. Yet Scripture presents discipline as a necessary and loving practice rooted in the very character of God.

Hebrews 12:6 tells us plainly, “For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” God’s discipline is not punitive wrath toward His children, but fatherly correction aimed at their good. In the same way, the church is called to reflect the heart of God by lovingly confronting sin for the sake of restoration.

Jesus Himself lays out the process of church discipline in Matthew 18:15–20. The goal is never humiliation or punishment, but restoration. “If he listens to you,” Jesus says, “you have gained your brother.” Discipline is a rescue mission—an act of love that seeks to bring a wandering sheep back to the Shepherd.

The apostle Paul reinforces this in Galatians 6:1, urging believers to restore those caught in sin with gentleness. Love does not ignore sin that destroys; love intervenes. If we truly care for one another, we will not allow a brother or sister to walk unchecked toward spiritual harm.

Church discipline also protects the purity and holiness of the church. In 1 Corinthians 5, Paul warns that unrepentant sin spreads like leaven. When sin is tolerated, the church’s witness is weakened, holiness fades, and confusion replaces clarity. Discipline, rightly practiced, guards the spiritual health of the entire congregation.

Moreover, church discipline protects the integrity of the gospel itself. The gospel calls sinners to repentance and newness of life. When churches ignore unrepentant sin, they silently communicate that obedience is optional and holiness is negotiable. Biblical discipline declares that salvation is not a license to sin, but a call to follow Christ in faithful obedience.

Far from being unloving, church discipline reflects the loving heart of God. Where discipline is absent, love is absent. Where discipline is practiced biblically—with humility, patience, and grace—the love of Christ is put on display.

Key Scriptures

Hebrews 12:6 — God disciplines those He loves.
Matthew 18:15–20 — Christ’s model for restorative discipline.
1 Corinthians 5 — The danger of tolerated sin in the church.
Galatians 6:1 — Restoring one another with gentleness.

Episode Highlights

Discipline seeks restoration, not punishment. It aims to gain a brother or sister back.
Discipline protects the holiness of the church. Sin left unchecked harms the entire body.
Discipline guards the gospel. It upholds repentance, obedience, and transformation.
Discipline reflects God’s love. The Father disciplines His children for their good.
Love and discipline cannot be separated. Where there is no discipline, love is absent.

For Further Reflection

How does Hebrews 12 challenge modern assumptions about love and correction?
Why is ignoring sin ultimately unloving?
How can churches practice discipline with humility and biblical faithfulness?

Call to Action

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Dave Jenkins

Dave Jenkins is happily married to his wife, Sarah. He is a writer, editor, and speaker living in beautiful Southern Oregon. Dave is a lover of Christ, His people, the Church, and sound theology. He serves as the Executive Director of Servants of Grace Ministries, the Executive Editor of Theology for Life Magazine, the Host and Producer of Equipping You in Grace Podcast, and is a contributor to and producer of Contending for the Word. He is the author of The Word Explored: The Problem of Biblical Illiteracy and What To Do About It (House to House, 2021), The Word Matters: Defending Biblical Authority Against the Spirit of the Age (G3 Press, 2022), and Contentment: The Journey of a Lifetime (Theology for Life, 2024). You can find him on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube, or read his newsletter. Dave loves to spend time with his wife, going to movies, eating at a nice restaurant, or going out for a round of golf with a good friend. He is also a voracious reader, in particular of Reformed theology, and the Puritans. You will often find him when he’s not busy with ministry reading a pile of the latest books from a wide variety of Christian publishers. Dave received his M.A.R. and M.Div through Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary.