Excommunication is a term used to describe the process of formally excluding a person from the participation of church life, generally on account of severe and unrepentant sin. Within the context of the Bible, excommunication is implied in several passages, highlighting both its basis and consequence. It is significant to understand that the Bible regards excommunication as an ultimate measure of church discipline, always undertaken with a heavy heart and a longing for the restoration of the offending member in the fellowship.
What Does the Bible Say About Excommunication?
While the Bible does not use the term ‘excommunication’ explicitly, it provides guiding principles on the matter. The most common biblical ground for this is persistent sin that has gone unrepentant despite the efforts of the community to correct it. The aim is never to permanently cut someone off but to cause the individual to repent and return. In this light, excommunication fulfills the dual role of maintaining the integrity of the church and seeking to bring the sinning member back into right standing.
Where Does the Bible Imply Excommunication?
The Bible implies excommunication as a form of discipline in The New Testament. Passages imply that the church has the authority to separate from its company those members who persist in clear, willful disobedience against the teachings of Christ. Though this is not explicitly called excommunication, the action reflects the same principle. Some relevant passages emphasize a painful but necessary separation until repentance is made, suggesting a form of excommunication for the unrepentant sinner.
Who Decides on Excommunication in the Bible?
According to biblical teachings, the decision for excommunication should never be made lightly or by a single person. Instead, it is to be made by the church leaders after attempts to bring the offending party to repentance have failed. The goal is always restoration, not punishment. If a church member is living consistently in a way that dishonors God and refuses correction, the church leaders are to consider excommunication for the purity of the church and the spiritual welfare of the individual.
Why Does the Bible Advocate Excommunication?
The Bible advocates excommunication to maintain the purity and integrity of the church. The primary concern is for the spiritual health of the individual, the unity of the church community, and the reputation of the church in the broader society. By removing a defiantly sinful member, the church demonstrates its commitment to uphold the teachings and commandments of the Bible. At the same time, the aim of excommunication is to provoke soul-searching and repentance in the person being disciplined, hopefully leading to their eventual restoration.
When Does the Bible Call for Excommunication?
Biblical teachings suggest that excommunication should only be considered when a church member continues to live in sin, even after sustained efforts to correct their behavior. It’s not meant to be an immediate response, but rather a final step taken in patience and love. It comes after private admonishment, followed by warnings in the presence of one or two others, and then a final warning before the whole church. If these steps do not result in repentance, then excommunication is considered as the ultimate discipline measure.
Below is our full list of bible verses on excommunication (King James Version – KJV) provided in ranked order.
Most Popular Bible Verses About Excommunication
1 Corinthians 5:1-13
“1 It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father’s wife.2 And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.3 For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed,4 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.6 Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.9 I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators:10 Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world.11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.12 For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.”
Related Themes: Adultery Judging Others Life Idleness
Titus 3:10
“10 A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;”
Related Themes: Gossip Negativity Fighting Discipline
1 Corinthians 5:5
“5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.”
Matthew 18:17
“17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.”
Related Themes: Gossip Trespassing Resolving Conflict Church
1 Corinthians 5:11
“11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.”
Related Themes: Dating Acceptance Money Tolerance Reputation
1 Timothy 1:20
“20 Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.”
Related Themes: Discipline Satan Voting
2 Corinthians 2:5-11
“5 But if any have caused grief, he hath not grieved me, but in part: that I may not overcharge you all.6 Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of many.7 So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.8 Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him.9 For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be obedient in all things.10 To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ;11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.”
Related Themes: Forgiveness
Romans 16:17
“17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.”
Related Themes: Holiness Division Narcissism Judging Others Church
Matthew 18:15
“15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.”
Related Themes: Trespassing Criticism Resolving Conflict Gossip
2 Thessalonians 3:14
“14 And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.”
Related Themes: Idleness Discipline Shunning
Matthew 16:19
“19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
Related Themes: Keys
1 Corinthians 5:1
“1 It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father’s wife.”
Related Themes: Adultery Judging Others Life Idleness
Matthew 18:15-20
“15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”
Related Themes: Trespassing Criticism Resolving Conflict Gossip
2 Thessalonians 3:6
“6 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.”
Related Themes: Idleness Traditions
2 John 1:10
“10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:”
Related Themes: Tolerance Fidelity Acceptance Shunning
1 Corinthians 5:13
“13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.”
John 12:42
“42 Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue:”
2 Thessalonians 3:14-15
“14 And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.15 Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.”
Related Themes: Idleness Discipline Shunning
3 John 1:9-10
“9 I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.10 Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.”
Related Themes: Criticism Gossip Judging Others
Matthew 18:15-18
“15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
Related Themes: Trespassing Criticism Resolving Conflict Gossip
1 Corinthians 5:4
“4 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,”
1 Corinthians 5:7
“7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:”
Luke 6:22
“22 Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake.”
Related Themes: Persecution Rejection Joy
Matthew 18:15-17
“15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.”
Related Themes: Trespassing Criticism Resolving Conflict Gossip
3 John 1:10
“10 Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.”
Leviticus 17:4
“4 And bringeth it not unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, to offer an offering unto the LORD before the tabernacle of the LORD; blood shall be imputed unto that man; he hath shed blood; and that man shall be cut off from among his people:”
Galatians 1:8-9
“8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.”
John 9:22
“22 These words spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue.”
Related Themes: Persecution
John 16:2
“2 They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.”
Related Themes: Persecution Telling The Truth Joy
Galatians 6:1
“1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.”
Related Themes: Criticism Trespassing Reaping Pride Judging Others
