The Nugget:
Pro 18:13 He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him. (KJV, King James Version)
Pro 18:13 It’s stupid and embarrassing to give an answer before you listen. (CEV, Contemporary English Version)
My Comment:
The best way to avoid the need for church discipline is to follow the instructions given in the Bible about making disciples found in the very last three verses in Matthew as given by our Lord Jesus Christ:
Mat 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Mat 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. (KJV)
For “teach all nations,” many modern English Bible translations read “make disciples of all nations,” as in the World English Bible,
Mat 28:19 Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, (WEB)
Making disciples involves thorough teaching of the Bible. It requires grounding every believer so that they are:
Colossians 2:7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. (KJV)
Col 2:6 So, just as you once accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue living in vital union with Him,
Col 2:7 with your roots deeply planted in Him, being continuously built up in Him, and growing stronger in faith, just as you were taught to do, overflowing through it in your gratitude. (Williams New Testament)
I have placed much material in a five-part series about how to do this on this site. Use the search feature and do a search using the key word “disciple” to find those articles.
On the subject of church discipline I have placed much material in both The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (NTSK) and The Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury (UCRT) indexes, notes, and cross references. I have had direct experience as an ordained elder at the Military Avenue UP Church in Detroit as well as experience as an elected union representative at two of the three high schools where I taught, also in Detroit. These experiences required me to search the Scriptures to find God’s directions on how to approach and solve these problems.
The key reference passage or verse (because its cross references will lead to many of the other related Scriptures and notes) is Proverbs 18:13. This is connected to Topic Number 1829 in the NTSK or Topic Number 1830 in the UCRT. I found this verse by using the Subject Index, using the term “Due process, the accused entitled to.”
Pro 18:13 He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him. (KJV)
Pro 18:13 It’s stupid and embarrassing to give an answer before you listen. (CEV, Contemporary English Version)
A little side note: we demonstrate care by listening. Paul speaks of his daily “care of all the churches” (2 Corinthians 11:28), and we know that Paul listened carefully by the responses he gave to the questions and concerns of the churches reflected in his letters.
Here are the cross references from the UCRT for Proverbs 18:13,
that. *Deut 13:14, 2Sa 16:4; 2Sa 19:24-30, Est 3:10, etc. Est 8:5, etc. *Job 29:16, Dan 6:9; Dan 6:14, **Joh 7:24.
before he heareth it. T1830, *Pro 18:17, Pro 14:8; Pro 15:22; +Pro 15:28, +*Lev 19:15, Deut 19:15, 2Sa 14:8; 2Sa 16:4; 2Sa 19:24-30, Est 3:10; Est 8:5, Job 18:2; %Job 32:4; %Job 32:10; %Job 32:11, Dan 6:9; Dan 6:14; Dan 6:18, +**Joh 7:51, Act 16:37-39; Act 25:16; Act 25:27; Act 26:1, +**1Ti 5:19 note.
folly. Pro 5:2-3; Pro 12:23; Pro 13:16; Pro 14:1.
shame. Job 20:3, Psa 4:2; Psa 35:26.
The other Bible passage given in the NTSK and UCRT Subject Index for “Due Process” is John 7:51.
before it hear him. FS184C, +Mat 4:9. +*Joh 7:24, Deut 1:16; *Deut 13:14; *Deut 17:4, **Jos 22:10; **Jos 22:11; **Jos 22:12 note, Jos 22:21 note, Jos 22:30, 1Sa 20:32, Ezr 10:16, +*Job 29:16, Psa 94:16, Pro 17:15; +*Pro 18:13; *Pro 31:8, Act 26:1, +**1Ti 5:19 note.
and know what he doeth. +*Deut 13:14, Act 25:16; Act 25:27.
There are instructive notes at Joshua 22:12, 21 and especially 1 Timothy 5:19, 20. I have often thought that my notes at 1 Timothy 5:19 and 1 Timothy 5:20 are too harsh, but my wife and her mother both approved them, so I have not changed them.
Here is the Joshua 22:12 note:
Jos 22:12 And when the children of Israel heard of it, the whole congregation of the children of Israel gathered themselves together at Shiloh, to go up to war against them.
the whole. Note: Supposing they had built this altar for sacrifice, in opposition to the command of God, they considered them as rebels against God, and the Israelitish constitution. Deut 13:15, Jdg 20:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, +*Joh 7:51, Act 11:2, 3, Rom 10:2, Gal 4:17, 18.
Here is the Joshua 22:21 note:
Jos 22:21 Then the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh answered, and said unto the heads of the thousands of Israel,
Then the children. Note: The conduct and answer of these Reubenites and their associates are worthy of admiration and imitation. Though conscious of their innocence, they permitted Phinehas to finish his speech, though composed of little else than accusations, without any interruption; and, taking in good part the suspicions, reproofs, and even harshness of their brethren, with the utmost meekness and solemnity they explain their intention, give all the satisfaction in their power, and with great propriety and reverence, appeal to God against whom they were supposed to have rebelled. %+**1Sa 25:17, Job 33:17, *Pro 18:13.
Here are the notes and references for 1 Timothy 5:19 from the UCRT:
Against an elder. Every servant of Christ must exercise diligence in living absolutely above reproach (+*Act 6:3, Rom 14:22, +*1Th 5:22, *Tit 2:8), lest the ministry be blamed (+*2Co 6:3). Yet despite such care, misunderstandings and ugly situations will arise (Luk 16:1 note. *2Ti 3:12), frequently from lack of communication between the accuser and the accused. Words and actions are consistently misread, and wrong motives assigned, which in the imagination of the accuser run wild and rampant with no foundation in reality. And it takes but little effort to find two “witnesses” to agree in a false accusation. Any person in the church, whether elder, pastor, teacher, or custodian, will have repeated and sometimes painful experiences where his words or actions will be misinterpreted, and taken completely out of context. The corrective for such problems is to teach forthrightly the penalty Scripture assigns for the false accuser (*Deut 19:18; *Deut 19:19). Teach the necessity of godly forbearance and suspension of judgment until all concerned parties have been fully heard, the evidence is in, and all due process appeal procedures have been exhausted. Teach the need to keep channels of communication open in both directions (+*1Sa 25:17, +*2Ki 5:13).
Teach the proper response to correction (Psa 25:9; +*Psa 141:5, +*Pro 9:8; +*Pro 9:9, Joh 15:20, 21),
as well as the proper means of offering it (+*Lev 19:17, Pro 27:6, +**Rom 12:8 note. **Gal 6:1, +*Eph 6:9).
Teach the requirement that scrupulous adherence to every principle of due process be maintained (+*Lev 19:13; +*Lev 19:15, +*Joh 7:51, Col 4:1).
Christians in positions of management in the workplace need to follow the same principles in maintaining proper employer/employee relations. +1Ti 5:1; +1Ti 5:17,. +Lev 19:13; +Lev 19:15; +Lev 19:17, Deut 19:18, 19, +1Sa 25:17, +2Ki 5:13, Psa 25:9; +Psa 141:5, +Pro 9:8; +Pro 9:9; Pro 27:6, Luk 16:1, **+Joh 7:51; Joh 15:20-21, +Act 6:3, +Rom 12:8; Rom 14:22, +2Co 6:3, Gal 6:1, +Eph 6:9, Col 4:1, 1Th 5:22, 2Ti 3:12, Tit 2:8, 1Pe 5:1.
witnesses. Joh 5:31; Joh 8:14.
When it becomes necessary to offer correction to individual believers, the Bible gives much advice and direction on how this can be done more effectively. On this theme, I would start from the note I have placed at Romans 12:8.
The note at Romans 12:6 explains the literary structure of gifts and their corresponding admonitions:
Romans 12:6
gifts. These gifts may be compared with those listed at 1Co 12:8, 9, 10 and Eph 4:11. There appears to be an intended correspondence between the order of the gifts listed in Rom 12:6, 7, 8 and the admonitions which follow in Rom 12:9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15. Each admonition suits the problem area experienced by persons who possess the associated gift. It is probable that every believer possesses just one spiritual gift (1Pe 4:10). Studying these gifts with the additional clues furnished by the associated admonitions may help individual believers identify their gift. Liddon notes Paul here enumerates or implies seven gifts: he gives nine at 1Co 12:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12; 1Co 12:28, 29, 30; five at Eph 4:11. *Rom 1:11, *Mat 25:15, *1Co 1:5, 6, 7; 1Co 4:6, 7; *1Co 7:7; *1Co 12:4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11; *1Co 12:28, 29, 30, 31; *1Co 13:2, Eph 4:7; Eph 4:16, Col 2:19, 1Ti 4:14, 2Ti 1:6, Jas 1:17, *1Pe 4:10; *1Pe 4:11.
Of course, if our churches were better structured for actual fellowship, the practice of the “one another” ministries (Romans 12:5 references) might reduce the need for church discipline, especially if the principles I call attention to in notes at Hebrews 3:13 and references at Hebrews 3:12 are followed.
Rom 12:5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
one of another. Gr. allēlōn (S# G240, Mat 24:10). Rom 12:10, Rom 14:13; *Rom 14:19; *Rom 15:5; +**Rom 15:7; Rom 15:14; Rom 16:16, **Mal 3:16, Mar 9:50, *Joh 13:34; Joh 13:35, *1Co 12:25, Gal 5:13; Gal 6:2, Eph 4:2; Eph 4:25; Eph 4:32; *Eph 5:21, *Php 2:3, Col 3:9; Col 3:16, +*1Th 3:12; 1Th 4:9; 1Th 4:18; *1Th 5:11, 2Th 1:3, +*Heb 3:13; *Heb 10:24; *Heb 10:25, Jas 4:11; Jas 5:16, +*1Pe 1:22; *1Pe 4:9; 1Pe 5:5, 1Jn 1:7; 1Jn 3:11.
Note especially my reference to Psalm 9:10 and the extensive list there of cause/effect relationship verses which are very instructive when solving spiritual problems.
exhorteth. See corresponding admonition in +Rom 12:12, Persons who possess the gift of exhortation might find the study of the cause/effect relationships discussed at +**Psa 9:10 note helpful. It is less offensive and more effective in counseling to approach a person’s problem through a Biblically defined root cause, rather than to directly confront the effect in their life, when attempting to lead them to a Biblical solution to their problem. Rather than provoke resistance to our help by confronting individuals directly about their lack of trust in God, it might be more effective to develop their knowledge of God’s character, a knowledge of which permits us to trust Him. A study of the cause/effect relationships related to counseling problems would prove very fruitful. A good start toward a collection of suitable texts for such a study will be found in the note at +**Psa 9:10 note. Rom 12:1, Luk 4:20-21, *+Act 4:36; +*Act 11:23; +*Act 11:24; Act 13:15; Act 15:32; Act 20:2, *+1Co 14:3; *+1Co 14:31, 1Th 2:3, +*1Ti 4:13-16, 2Ti 4:2, +*Heb 3:13; Heb 10:25; Heb 13:22.
on exhortation. Gr. paraklēsis (S# G3874, 1Co 14:3). +Act 4:36 (consolation).
with simplicity. or, liberally. Gr. haplotēs (S# G572). 2Co 1:12 g. 2Co 8:2 g. 2Co 9:11 g, 2Co 9:13 g. 2Co 11:3 g. Eph 6:5 g. Col 3:22 g.
with cheerfulness. Gr. hilarotēs (S# G2432). 2Co 9:7. Exo 25:2; Exo 35:5; Exo 35:21; Exo 35:29; Exo 36:2, Jdg 5:2, 1Ch 29:5-6, Ezr 1:6; Ezr 2:68; Ezr 3:5; Ezr 7:16, Neh 11:2, Act 2:46, 2Co 8:12; *2Co 9:7, Phm 1:14.
There is a very much neglected little phrase at Romans 12:13 at the end of the verse that is the key to everything: “given to hospitality.” Were the hospitality commands found in the New Testament to be followed, we would see a growing, vibrant church. Of the cross references given there, I have worked hardest to assemble the collection at Romans 15:7 on this theme. They are well worth careful study!
Here are the notes and references for Hebrews 3:13 from the UCRT:
one another. Our duty towards one another in watching over one another’s spiritual lives (Heb 13:7; Heb 13:17) merits careful study in this context. Prompt action based upon the signs of spiritual decline given in Heb 3:12 is essential. Scripture furnishes much material which should form the basis of exhortation. We should encourage one another in:
(10) maintaining daily personal independent Bible study: Heb 6:9 note. 2Pe 2:2 note. See the related notes pertaining to exhortation at +**Psa 9:10 and **Rom 12:8 note, and followup evangelism, of which exhortation is a most important component, at +1Th 3:5 note. **Heb 10:24; **Heb 10:25, Gen 11:3, +Psa 9:10 note. +*Dan 11:33 note. +*Act 11:23, +**Rom 12:5, +*2Co 8:16, 1Th 2:11; +1Th 3:5; 1Th 4:18; 1Th 5:11, *2Ti 4:2.
while it is called Today. *2Ch 14:7, *>Psa 95:7, **Isa 55:6, Mat 5:25, *Luk 19:42, Act 2:40; Act 24:25, +**2Co 6:2.
lest. **Joh 3:19, +*Col 3:21, +*Jas 5:19.