The apostle Paul reveals that when he arrives in Corinth, if he finds misconduct, as he fears (13:20), they will all partake in church discipline actions and perhaps some meetings too. Church discipline usually includes a trial (of sorts), judgment, and, if someone is found at fault, correction, rebuke, and even punishment. (1 Corinthians 5:3-5, 13, 11:34; 1 Timothy 1:3, 20; Titus 1:13)
Church discipline is similar to that which was established in the Old Testament and still practiced in synagogues in Paul’s day. Paul quotes Deuteronomy 19:15 regarding the need for two or three witnesses as a reference for church discipline protocol. (1)
The congregation elders’ authority to settle matters within the local congregation is the power of Christ at work among his people, the power of God that also raised Jesus from the dead. (3b-4a) Jesus’ power, Paul insists, was at work within the congregation even before Paul arrived, for he wrote, “…is powerful among you.”
Already in the first letter, Paul instructed that they deal with a man who continued in a terrible sin within church authority. Later, after the man repented, Paul asked that they bring him back into the congregation. (1 Corinthians 14:34) This is an example of church discipline. Paul also told them in that letter to use church authority to make their worship services orderly. (1 Corinthians 14:26-40)
Unfortunately, because the sinful nature is still at work, church discipline will remain necessary until Jesus comes again. Hebrews 13:17 says, “Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.”
