Discipline in the House

Before the Lord reveals the hidden mysteries of the Word to potential ministers, their heart has to be in a position worthy of receiving the truth. Remember, every aspect of a minister’s ordination is for men. Therefore, if there is any iniquity in the heart regarding God's people, He will withhold the treasures of His great wisdom. Under-shepherds must be co-spirited with their leader in installing discipline and maintaining order in the household of faith. The relationship Paul had with the elders at Corinth is given to us as a good example of the need for all leaders in the house to be on one accord. In his first letter to the Corinthian Church, Paul rebuked the elders for their indifference (spirit of apathy) regarding the sin of one among them.

1 Corinthians 5:2,6

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.

6 Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?

This is a prime example of the spirit of apathy. These elders continued to have church as usual. They were puffed up in their pride and were not the least bit concerned about God’s response to the sin among them. In his rebuke, Paul makes them aware that God may indeed destroy (take away) the man who has committed the sin. He also reminds them that sin is as an infectious disease and will corrupt the entire church. And then he simply gave instructions as to how they were to deal with the situation.

1 Corinthians 5:4-5

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.

In his rebuke, Paul made their apathetic response equally as evil as the sin of the fornication they had allowed to continue. He declared them to be unrighteous and full of pride. Now this is where the rubber meets the road in raising under-shepherds. Here is where they will either walk in offense for the rebuke or humble themselves and submit to the chastening of the Lord. But apparently Paul’s letter brought these men to repentance. Titus was the one who brought the report to Paul of their spiritual disposition concerning the matter.

2 Corinthians 7:6-7

6 Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus;

7 And not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your fervent mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more.

Fortunately for the elders, they brought all the attributes of repentance. They experienced the anguish of conviction and the guilt of having dishonored Christ. It is evident they were genuinely sorrowful for having walked in the spirit of apathy and pride. But more than that, their heart towards Paul did not change. They continued to love and respect him as their leader and the voice of God. I am sure Paul was not exalted by any means in all of this; but, he did take comfort in knowing that his unwillingness to compromise the integrity of the Word of God and the ministry entrusted to him was fruitful among the elders of the Corinthian Church.

2 Corinthians 7:8-11

8 For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry, though it were but for a season.

9 Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing.

10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

11 For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.

This is the bottom line. They cleared themselves with God and man in this matter. They followed the counsel and instructions of the apostle and experienced the forgiveness of God. Some of my colleagues insist the young man who sinned repented and was forgiven. They cite the passage below as the basis for their claim. However, it may be that he did indeed repent, I cannot say. But the passage below clearly does not refer to him.

2 Corinthians 2:1-2

1 But I determined this with myself, that I would not come again to you in heaviness.

2 For if I make you sorry, who is he then that maketh me glad, but the same which is made sorry by me?

It is in this verse that we learn the identity of the one Paul is referring to. His rebuke had made sorrowful those who were guilty of apathy and pride. But their sorrowfulness and repentance had made Paul glad. He was able to rejoice because those who were guilty repented.

2 Corinthians 2:3

And I wrote this same unto you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice; having confidence in you all, that my joy is the joy of you all.

Paul warns that all should be able to rejoice because of the repentance of those elders who had walked contrary to their office and the faith.

2 Corinthians 2:4-6

4 For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you.

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.

The fact that sin has grieved the heart of the perpetrators is enough punishment. It led them to repentance, which satisfied God.

2 Corinthians 2:7-9

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.

We should not hold iniquity in our hearts regarding the unrighteousness of our brother. We should rather embrace him who repents and assure him of our love. Paul’s purpose here is to know that they were willing to walk in the perfect law of love.

1. Half-heartedness reflects a heart that is half good and half evil.

2. The disposition of the heart provokes the judgment of God.

3. The heart must be pure of any abusive spiritual dispositions.

4. The under-shepherd must be able to bear the offenses of many. Such is the way of righteousness. How you receive and deal with the truth and the instructions of the Holy Ghost, determines whether grace will continue to work with you in ministry and your own personal development. If truth becomes a wall of impasse, you will cease to grow spiritually.