Some time back a woman came to us for biblical counseling. Her husband had been in unrepentant adultery for some time. While she was counseled by one of our women counselors, we contacted her pastor to confront her husband. Even though the husband was a church member, the pastor refused to confront him saying that he was afraid the husband would be driven away. The problem with his stance is multi-fold. First, is being driven away worse than unrepentant adultery? Second, how does he know that the husband will be driven away? Third, the bible says that sin must be confronted, especially sin in the body of Christ. Fourth, it is clear from the Scriptures that God's means of restoration is biblical confrontation. Fifth, the pastor does not have an option. It is not his position to determine whether or not to confront this man. He is commanded to do so. Sixth, what about the poor woman's plight? Seventh, we must take God at His word and trust Him. Eighth, confrontation is part of church discipline which has as its goal restoration. Ninth, part of pastoral ministry is confronting sin. Tenth, part of being a real and biblical church is maintaining discipline. A church cannot rightly call itself a church of Jesus Christ if it is not willing to practice such. More problems with the pastor's stance could be offered here, but the point has been made. Church discipline is a biblical mandate and necessity for the spiritual well-being of the church and her individual members. In parts one and two of this article, reasons for practicing church discipline were offered. The conclusion follows.

Seventh, church discipline must be practiced in order to ensure the salvation of the sinner. In v. 5, Paul uses an infinitive verb form, "to deliver." Again, translation is never a one to one correspondence. The force of Paul’s statement is either imperative (that is a command) or a reaffirmation of how he has decided to vote (I have decided to deliver). Which interpretation is correct? Paul has made a statement regarding his judgment, that is, his vote. He has no need to repeat himself. Thus, based upon his vote, his consternation, and his apostolic authority, we take Paul to be giving a command: "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."

By this understanding, we do not mean to imply that Paul was circumventing "church" discipline and asserting "apostolic" discipline. He cannot put anyone out of the church, even by apostolic authority. It is the responsibility of the church to do so. Thus, Paul is commanding the church to do the right thing. They now have a choice. They can either obey or disobey and thus, Paul can then come to them as a Father or with the rod of correction (4:21).