Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

EXCOMMUNICATION

The permanent or temporary exclusion of a church member from fellowship within the community. This practice, specifically mentioned in Matthew’s Gospel (Matt. 18:15-17) and the Corinthian correspondence (1 Cor. 5:5; 2 Cor. 2:6), serves two purposes. First, it protects the community from the harmful influence of the sinner (1 Cor. 5:6-7). Second, it reminds the sinner of the sin (2 Cor. 2:7) in the hope that repentance (7:9) and redemption occur. Excommunication is never an individual (2 Cor. 2:6) or judgmental activity (v. 8), and it is not a withdrawal of concern for the sinner. It always has restoration as its ultimate goal.

Although the term “excommunication” does not appear in Scripture, the concept is clearly present. Matthew instructs the Church to treat unrepentant members like “a Gentile and a tax collector” (Matt. 18:17), and Paul wants the guilty party delivered “over to Satan” (1 Cor. 5:5), i.e., delivered over to the realm of Satan, the world outside the Church.

Church discipline, ending in excommunication, should only be used for serious matters such as blatant sexual sins (1 Cor. 5:1), unrepentance (Matt. 18:15-17), factiousness (Tit. 3:10-11), and the propagation of heresy (Rom. 16:17). Sinners should be dealt with quickly and seriously for both the health of the community and the spiritual health of the offender.

Bibliography. A. Y. Collins, “The Function of ‘Excommunication’ in Paul,” HTR 73 (1980): 251-63; V. Taylor, Forgiveness and Reconciliation, 2nd ed. (London, 1941).

Samuel Lamerson

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

EXCOMMUNICATION

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)