Discussion Jumpstarter
Study leader reference - not a definitive answer
Question 10
Based on the specific texts the speaker cites (1 Cor. 5; Titus 3; Romans 16; 2 Thess. 3; 3 John on Diotrophes), what sins or behaviors did the apostles treat as excommunicable versus correctable-with-warning, and how does that confront modern evangelical habits of minimizing divisiveness/gossip online while making other sins the center of discipline?
Another way to ask: From the Bible passages the speaker lists, what sins did the apostles treat as reasons to put someone out of the church, and what sins needed warnings first? How does that challenge the way many churches ignore online gossip and division but focus discipline on other sins?
Discussion Jumpstarter
Direct Answer
In the speaker’s summary, the apostles treat divisiveness/schism and blatant public unrepentant immorality as excommunicable, while disorderly walking (idleness/disruption) is handled by distancing and warning without treating the person as an enemy. This directly challenges churches that downplay divisiveness and gossip (especially online) while focusing discipline mainly on a narrower set of “headline sins.”
- Excommunicable: 1 Cor. 5—sexual immorality “not even pagans tolerate,” ongoing and public; “put out of your fellowship… hand this man over to Satan.”
- Excommunicable: Titus 3:10–11—divisive person: warn “once and then twice,” then “have nothing more to do with him.”
- Strong avoidance: Romans 16:17—those who “cause divisions… contrary to the doctrine… Avoid them.”
- Correctable-with-warning: 2 Thess. 3—idle/disruptive believers: “keep away… do not associate… that they may feel ashamed,” yet “do not regard them as an enemy… warn… fellow believer.”
- Abuse warning: 3 John 9–10—Diotrophes spreads “malicious nonsense” and “puts them out of the church,” showing excommunication can be misused.
- The speaker explicitly concludes schism/divisiveness is treated seriously in Scripture because it harms “unity, witness, and health of the church.”