With The Below Subheadings and Verses Quoted In Them You Have The
To Compare What Many
Consider The Best In Commentary On The Subject-
Disfellowshipping Discipline Or
Punishment
And Other Links
Disfellowshipping Discipline Or Punishment
And there are Other
Links
You can open the linked
verses
"The discipline of Jehovah, O my
son, do not reject; and do not abhor his reproof, because the one whom Jehovah
loves he reproves, even as a father does a son in whom he finds pleasure."
—Proverbs
Sample Open
GEB -> Study Notes on 3:12
Jehovah's Witnesses are well known for their practice of disfellowshipping unrepentant wrongdoers. But it is not
just sinners who lack any remorse that are disfellowshipped
or cast out of the organization. Also expelled are persons who may have
addiction problems or any who manifest the works of the flesh, such as the
apostle Paul listed in Galatians
5:19-21, [In Context|"immorality, impurity,
indecency, Idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger (ill temper),
selfishness, divisions (dissensions), party spirit (factions, sects with
peculiar opinions, heresies), Envy, drunkenness, carousing, and the like." Since Paul goes on to say that
"those who do such things shall not inherit the
What is involved in being disfellowshipped? Is it for
the purpose of disciplining or punishing the guilty individual? As we shall see
there is a difference. Concerning disfellowshipping,
the Watchtower of 1991, April 15, pages 15-16, under the heading "Will
You Imitate God’s Mercy?" says,
What is involved in disfellowshipping? We find an object lesson in the way a problem was handled
in the first century. A Christian in
Compare
Deuteronomy 17:2,
17:2 12, 17:12 13. 17:13
(bold mine)
Here we have an example of a wicked person being expelled from the
Corinthian congregation. Was it for the purpose of "severe
discipline" that the man was put out and handed "over to Satan"
as Paul directed the congregation to do? (1 Cor. 5:5) 5:5
What is discipline as used in the scriptures?
According to an article in the Watchtower on this question, under the heading "Appreciating
the Purpose of Discipline," it said,
WHAT comes to mind when you hear the word
“discipline”? One dictionary defines discipline as “the practice of making
people obey rules or standards of behaviour, and
punishing them when they do not.” Although this is by no means the only
accepted definition, many people today ascribe a similarly negative connotation
to anything that has to do with discipline.
The Bible, however, presents discipline in a different light. “The
discipline of Jehovah, O my son, do not reject,” wrote wise King Solomon.
(Proverbs 3:11-
3:11 ) These words refer,
not to discipline in general, but to “the discipline of Jehovah,” that is, discipline
based on God’s lofty principles. Only such discipline is spiritually productive
and beneficial—even desirable. In contrast, discipline that is based on
human thinking that is in conflict with Jehovah’s lofty principles is often
abusive and hurtful. That explains why many have a negative attitude toward
discipline.
Why are we urged to accept Jehovah’s discipline? In the Scriptures, divine
discipline is described as an expression of God’s love for his human
creatures. Thus, Solomon went on to say: “The one whom Jehovah loves he
reproves, even as a father does a son in whom he finds pleasure.” —Proverbs
3:12. (w03 10/1 p. 20 Appreciating the Purpose of Discipline) (bold mine)
Yes, "In the Scriptures, divine discipline is described as an
expression of God’s love." That is why the apostle Paul wrote, "YOU have entirely forgotten the exhortation which
addresses YOU as sons: 'My son, do not belittle [the] discipline from Jehovah,
neither give out when you are corrected by him; for whom Jehovah loves he
disciplines; in fact, he scourges every one whom he receives as a
son.'" —Hebrews 12:5,6. 12:5-12:6
Paul develops this thought further on how Jehovah's discipline is an expression
of his love for us.
"Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating
you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not
disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate
children and not true sons. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who
disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to
the Father of our spirits and live! Our fathers disciplined us for a little while
as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in
his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on,
however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have
been trained by it." —Hebrews 12:7-11, New International Version
The scripture says, "whom Jehovah
loves he disciplines." You will never read, "whom
Jehovah loves he punishes." Discipline and punishment are not the
same. Love is the motivation behind discipline. It is given with the
intent to teach, help correct and readjust the action and thinking of an erring
person. On the other hand, punishment is given for the need to satisfy justice.
(Exodus 34:7; 34:7 Psalms 37:28
37:28) For example, when Adam and Eve
were cast out of the Garden of Eden it was not for discipline, with the goal of
helping them correct their wrong action, because of God's love for them. Rather
they were expelled as punishment for their rebellious course against his
clearly stated law. For the same reason Cain, after having murdered his brother
Able, was banished as punishment. A wanderer and a fugitive he would be,
"banished from [his] land and from [God's] presence." He complained
that his punishment was too great for him to bear.
(Genesis
4:11-14 [In Context|-[In Context|)
Likewise with the ouster out of heaven
of Satan and his angels. Concerning this we are told,
"Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his
angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back,
but he was defeated and there was no longer any place for them in heaven.
And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who
is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world--he was thrown
down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.
" —Revelation 12:7-9, English
Standard Version In Context|
Why was Satan and
his angels cast out of heaven? Because "there was no longer any place for
them in heaven." That is why Adam and Eve were ousted from the Garden of
Eden. There was no longer a place for those rebels in it, and there is no
longer any place within God's household for those who,
like Satan and his demons, Adam and Eve, and Cain, are willful unrepentant
wrongdoers. They are not cast out because of Jehovah's love for them but rather
it is their punishment, an expression of God's justice upon them. It is true,
those who are expelled, or disfellowshipped today
from the congregation can repent and return, as was the case with the immoral
man in
(2
Corinthians 2:5-11) [In Context|
Many among us have been traveling the narrow and cramped
road leading to life for many years.
And it hasn't been an easy journey for anyone as we all
have our own peculiar burdens to content with. We all have our struggles
against the desires of the flesh to some degree, and we must remember that none
of us are yet perfect. (Psalms 130:3
130:3) Along this road many new ones
are joining us, and they all come from different backgrounds and bring with
them their own burdensome luggage. Should we not be assisting one another,
encouraging and helping each other to carry each others load, especially when
we see some stumble into wrongdoing, or are distracted into following a
different road? That is what Jehovah expects us to do.
"Brothers and sisters, what
if someone is caught in a sin? Then
you who are guided by the Spirit should correct that person. Do it in a gentle
way. But be careful. You could be tempted too. Carry each other's heavy loads.
If you do, you will give the law of Christ its full meaning."
—Galatians 6:1,2; New
International Reader's Version- 6:1- 6:2
Elders need to
follow Christ's example in showing love. Jesus commanded all of us to love one
another and elders should qualify to take the lead in this. (John 13:34,35 13:34-) For some who have never been
loved, to love does not come easy and many don't know how. How do we become
patient and kind, not envy others when things go well for them, not boast or
look for our own interests, not become easily angered nor keep records of
wrongs? We need to protect and trust our brothers, not impute wrong motives in
them, and always hope for the best when there is the need to persevere. That is
what love includes, and we can learn to love.(1
Corinthians 13:4-7)
[In Context| We need to do that if we want to
be Jesus' disciples. How can we learn to love? By learning
from our Creator. The Watchtower of
HOW does a human learn to love? By studying psychology?
By reading self-help books? By watching romantic
movies? Hardly. Humans learn to love in the first place
by the example and training of their parents. Children will learn the meaning
of love if, in an environment of warm affection, they see their parents feed
and protect them, communicate with them, and take a deep personal interest in
them. They also learn to love when their parents teach them to observe sound
principles of right and wrong.
Genuine love is more than just affection or
sentiment. It consistently acts in the very best interests of others, even if
they do not fully appreciate it at the time, which is often the case with
children when loving discipline is involved. A perfect example of one who shows
unselfish love is the Creator himself. The apostle Paul wrote: “My son, do not
belittle the discipline from Jehovah, neither give out when you are corrected
by him; for whom Jehovah loves he disciplines.”—Hebrews 12:5, 6. 12:5- 12:6
Qualified, loving
elders, like parents, should provide "an environment of warm
affection," where they "feed and protect" (tend) the members of
the congregation. (see John
21:15-17 21:15-21:16-21:17) Where they "communicate
with them, and take a deep personal interest" in each and every person.
Qualified elders "consistently act in the very best interests of
others," even "when loving discipline is involved." In this way
everyone in the congregation learns to love by being loved. Elders must
remember that "love never fails." They can never go wrong by
dealing in a loving way with the flock in their care. (1 Cor.
13:8 13:8)
Elders should be eager to help erring members. If someone is "caught
in a sin," elders "who are guided by the Spirit" and have the
scriptural qualifications to shepherd the flock of God, should "correct
(or discipline) that person in a gentle way." (1 Peter 5:2,3 5:2-5:3) They do this in the way caring
parents might discipline their children.
(1
Thessalonians 2:7 2:7 ) Parents understand that every
child of theirs is unique in their emotional makeup and have different needs
and problems. The discipline, or correction needed at times may therefore
differ from child to child. The discipline given is for the purpose of
readjusting the action and attitude of an erring child, and it is given because
of the great love the parents have for their sons and daughters. Jehovah has
set the example for parents in disciplining in love, even when the discipline,
or correction, may be severe. But he never expels from his household those whom
he loves. Disfellowshipping is for those who no
longer let themselves be corrected, who have become independent and no longer
have a place in God's congregation.
The sheep belong to Jehovah and he expects the shepherds in their congregations
to strengthen the sickened one, heal the ailing one, and to bandage the broken
one. (Eze. 34:4 34:4) But we have a peculiar problem
in many congregations. Few elders are scripturally qualified to be such. A
brother who is made an elder because of his many hours in preaching, placing
literature and regular meetings attendance (none of them scriptural
qualifications) may be lacking in the scriptural requirement of showing love.
Love, as required in the scriptures is part of holding "firmly to the
faithful word as respects his art of teaching." (NWT) Or as the New
International Reader's Version says,
"The message as it has been taught can be
trusted. He must hold firmly to it. Then he will be able to use true teaching to
comfort others and build them up. He will be able to prove that people who
oppose it are wrong." —Titus 1:9-1:9
Scripturally qualified elders will discern the
difference between "loving discipline" and "just
punishment." Where such capable elders are lacking we find that many of
God's ailing sheep are simply disfellowshipped rather
than helped and assisted, since such assistance would take time, love,
understanding, and an art or ability to hold "firmly to the faithful word."
Congregations who have loving qualified elders are certainly blessed. But woe to the brothers where such ones are lacking.
How Should One Who has Doubts be Treated?
Some people are more
inquisitive then others. They need to know the hows
and whys. I know, I was one such a student. I needed
everything proved to me and did not rest until I understood what it was I was
learning, After all, if I was going to teach others, did I not need to
understand it myself first? What if a person has lingering doubts about certain
teachings that cannot be proved by Scripture alone and thus becomes a matter of
faith? Or what if in the course of time we come to understand that something we
thought we understood no longer fits the facts? Should such a
person be condemned as being not worthy of the benefits of the ransom, for the
sake of unity? As discussed above, a loving, qualified elder would, in
an environment of warm affection, do as Jude
writes,
"Also, continue showing mercy to some that have
doubts; save [them] by snatching [them] out of the fire." —Jude 22,23
He would comfort and build up the individual, realizing that the doubt
the person has is also causing him immense agony, perhaps sleepless nights.
Some elders are known to have disfellowshipped those
who have expressed doubts about certain teachings of ours. Matter of fact, it
has become quite common. Can you imagine! Are they not afraid of their Master,
or do they imagine he won't be coming for a long time yet? Jesus said in one of
his most well known quotes,
"For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the
world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever
believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to
destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life." —John
How does Jehovah view shepherds who disfellowship the
sheep whose only "sin" is to have doubts about certain teachings that
cannot be substantiated by scripture, such as our interpretation of prophecies?
Are they being disfellowshipped for either
"loving discipline" or "just punishment"? Jehovah, in his
great love, gave his only-begotten son in order that everyone exercising faith
in him might not be destroyed but have everlasting life. (John 3:16) And yet unloving and
unqualified elders disfellowship those who exercise
faith but have doubts in some of man's teachings. Such elders should
beware. Jehovah is taking note of their punitive actions in dealing harshly
with his sheep.
"Woe to the shepherds of
" 'Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the LORD : As surely as I
live, declares the Sovereign LORD , because my flock lacks a shepherd and so
has been plundered and has become food for all the wild animals, and because my
shepherds did not search for my flock but cared for themselves rather than for
my flock, therefore, O shepherds, hear the word of the LORD : This is what
the Sovereign LORD says: I am against the shepherds and will hold them
accountable for my flock. I will remove them from tending the flock so that
the shepherds can no longer feed themselves. I will rescue my flock from their
mouths, and it will no longer be food for them." —Ezekiel 34:2-10 (NIV)
An elder ought to shepherd God's sheep with love, in imitation of Jesus. He
needs to strengthen the weak, heal the sick and bind up the injured. He should
bring back the strays and search for the lost. Even if some among the brothers
have developed a rebellious attitude the elders ought to imitate Jehovah's
example in dealing with them. This is what Examining the Scriptures Daily
2005, Thursday, October 27, says in connection with this, quoting
Micah 6:3:
Remember that in Micah's time the Israelites are
rebellious. Even so, Jehovah compassionately addresses them with the words,
"O my people." He pleads: "O my people,
remember, please." (Mic. 6:5) Rather than
harshly accuse them, he tries to reach their heart by asking, "What have I
done to you?" He even encourages them to "testify against" him. What
an example God sets for all of us! He compassionately called even the
rebellious people of
Elders must remember that the sheep belong to Jehovah, and that Jesus gave his
life for them. If they deal with the sheep in a harsh way, as if God's people
were somehow accountable to them, as elders, Jehovah will most certainly hold
them responsible for any harm that comes to them. (Ezekiel 34:4,10; James 3:1) Has he not set the example for them?
Woe to the elders who oppress, or "beat" their fellow slaves. As
Jesus clearly warned, those in responsible positions, who had been assigned the
responsibility to feed his household, but ended up beating them instead, will
be removed from their positions and lose out on their heavenly reward entirely,
being "cut in two" (διχοτομήσει
αυτόν; Luke 12:46, Kingdom
Interlinear) as it says in the Greek. Those serving under them and who
understood the will of the Lord, having been made aware of it, as in the quote
above, but failed to carry it out due to misdirected loyalty, will suffer God's
punishment by being beaten with many strokes; while others, elders who had no
clue what they were doing, not having any scriptural qualifications to begin
with, and thus also failed to obey, will also be beaten, but with fewer
strokes. (Luke 12:45-48) 12:45-12:46-12:47-12:48
"This takes into account that it is righteous on God's part to repay tribulation to those who make tribulation for you." —2 Thes. 1:6.
Disfellowshippings That Have God's Approval
As already noted, Jehovah
does not disfellowship anyone because he loves them.
That rules out any disfellowshippings that are done
for reasons of discipline. Adam and Eve were driven out of the Garden of Eden
because they no longer belonged in it. And Satan and his angels are cast out of
heaven because they no longer belong there. It is not for reasons of love, with
a view to readjusting such ones, but rather because of God’s justice that he
takes such drastic action. Any who are expelled from the Christian congregation
should be expelled because they no longer belong there, being unwilling to
comply with God's righteous laws. Concerning such ones Paul's words to the
congregation in
What are scriptural reasons for expelling someone from the congregation? How
should someone, who has been removed from among us, be viewed? Does God's Word
have appropriate counsel? The 1988 Watchtower dealt with this point:
5 When a man in
The same
was to occur with apostates, such as Hymenaeus:
“As for a man that promotes a sect, reject him after a first and a
second admonition; knowing that such a man has been turned out of the way and
is sinning.” (Titus 3:10, 11; 1 Timothy 1:19, 20) Such shunning would be
appropriate, too, for anyone who rejects the congregation: “They went
out from us, but they were not of our sort; for if they had been of our sort,
they would have remained with us. But they went out that it might be shown up
that not all are of our sort.”—1 John 2:18, 19. (bold mine)
I do not believe that Jehovah would approve with the expelling of
someone due to the person no longer wishing to be a member of the congregation.
A person cannot be disfellowshipped for what he does
not do, such as no longer attend meetings or share in the preaching work. When
the apostle John wrote that some "went out from us" because
"they were not of our sort" he simply noted that not all continue
running the race with endurance, perhaps due to a lack of faith. (Luke 21:19; 2 Thes. 1:4,5; Heb. 10:36; 12:1;) No one can be expelled for lack of faith, or for
giving up in "the race that is set before us," can they? That is not
what John was telling us.
(Sbt Note) Review the Verses quoted and make your own conclusion –That’s What Sbt
is all about
–Given you access to examine all things— Acts17:11
Compare Heb 11:6 -Heb 11:13-Jas 1:6-Jas 2:18 -Jas 2:20 -Jas 2:26 Matt 7:1 - [In Context|
Compare Commentaries in SGW and Others when you
open any verse—The
Commentaries are quite enlightening
when you remove words that
are unbiblical –Study
SbtsCommentaryNotes.htm
(No.1. ) in Bible Word defining and Biblical-LOGISTICS.htm
with IntroductionForConcernedStudents.htm -- UnbiblicalWordsThatInvalidateGodsWords.htm
In Jesus' parable
of the prodigal son, did the father expel or disfellowship
his son for leaving his household? From the illustration, it would seem that
the son who remained and worked for his father would have wished that. How
unlike his attitude was in comparison to his compassionate father. Are our
elders today imitating the example of the loving father or the self-righteous
son? (Luke 15:11-32)
No longer wanting to be recognized as one of Jehovah's Witnesses is not a disfellowshipping offense scripturally. Of course, if the
person returns to sinning without any remorse, then he should be dealt with at
such time. And if the elders are unable to locate the person who was bathed but
"goes back to wallowing in the mud," then they need not concern
themselves with him any longer as he has already removed himself from the
congregation and they can leave his judgment in Jehovah's hands.
(2 Peter 2:21,22)
The article goes on to say,
6 Hopefully, such a one will repent so
that he can be accepted back. (Acts
7 Christians do not hold themselves aloof from people. We have normal
contacts with neighbors, workmates, schoolmates, and others, and witness to
them even if some are ‘fornicators, greedy persons, extortioners,
or idolaters.’ Paul wrote that we cannot avoid them completely, ‘otherwise we
would have to get out of the world.’ He directed that it was to be different,
though, with “a brother” who lived like that: “Quit mixing in
company with anyone called a brother that
[has returned to such ways], not even
eating with such a man.”—1 Corinthians
5:9-11; Mark 2:13-17.
8 In the apostle John’s writings, we find similar counsel that emphasizes
how thoroughly Christians are to avoid such ones: “Everyone that pushes ahead
and does not remain in the teaching of the Christ does not have God . . . If
anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, never receive
him into your homes or say a greeting
to him. For he that says a greeting [Greek, khai´ro]
to him is a sharer in his wicked works.”—2 John 9-11.
9 Why is such a firm stand appropriate even today? Well, reflect on the severe
cutting off mandated in God’s Law to
10 We can be just as sure that God’s arrangement that Christians refuse
to fellowship with someone who has been expelled for unrepentant sin is a wise
protection for us. “Clear away the old leaven, that
you may be a new lump, according as you are free from ferment.” (1 Corinthians
5:7) —w88 4/15
pp. 26-28, Discipline That Can Yield Peaceable Fruit. (They unfortunately
refer to disfellowshipping as "discipline")
The article mentions apostates, "everyone that pushes ahead and
does not remain in the teaching of the Christ," among those who are to be disfellowshipped and avoided. We should ask here: Who are
the apostates? Are apostates not those who go beyond the things written, and
make God's word invalid by their own teachings and traditions? From Jehovah's
standpoint, was it not the religious leaders in Jesus' day who were the
apostates, although they accused the Christ of being such for exposing them? (Matthew 15:5-9,12,13) Who today are the apostates? The ones
who have pushed ahead and departed from Christ's teachings or those who
question their unscriptural traditions? When our pharisaical leaders teach that
we gain salvation by means of our dedication, are they remaining in the teaching of the
Christ? (John 3:16) When they push ahead and explain Bible prophecies that are
"made secret and sealed up" until the time of their fulfillment and
try to interpret "the times or seasons which the Father has placed in his
own jurisdiction," something Jesus said "does not belong to
[us]," who are the apostates, the ones doing the teaching or the ones
questioning them? (Daniel 12:9; Acts 1:7)
When the time arrives for God to judge his household he will expose the real
apostates. He will hold those accountable who dealt treacherously with his
sheep, for they had expelled those who questioned, not God's Word, but their
authority to push ahead and teach their own apostate views and interpretations.
Jehovah will expel, disfellowship such ones from his
household for there will no longer be any place for them in it. (Matthew 24:50,51)
Disfellowshipping is an arrangement put in place by
Jehovah, and he has set us the example by expelling Adam and Eve, their son
Cain, Satan and his angels, and also removing wicked persons from among his
people in the time of the Israelites. Expelling an unrepentant individual from
our midst removes the person from God's household, and as Cain complained, from
God's presence. (Genesis 4:14, NLT) There is no longer a place for
such a person within that household and it protects the faithful members of the
congregation. The result of such ousting may well be like that described in the
book of Revelation when Satan and his angels are cast out of heaven.
"the accuser of our
brothers has been hurled down, who accuses them day and night before our God!
On this account be glad, you heavens and you who reside in them."
—Revelation 12:10,12
Some Indian tribes bring back an old punishment: banishment
MINNEAPOLIS,
Minnesota (AP) -- Banishment,
long regarded as the ultimate punishment among American Indians, is making a
comeback among tribes trying to find more effective ways to deal with gangs and
drugs.
Generations ago, banishment meant casting offenders out and making them fend for themselves in the forest or on the plains.
The modern version means ordering troublemakers off the reservation, but can also include stripping them of their tribal membership -- a painful penalty in tribes that share casino profits with members.
"When people cross that line and the community says we've had enough, it's a process we can use to deal with it," said Norman Deschampe, the band chairman.
The
At least seven
of
One reason tribes are turning to banishment is that federal law does not allow tribal courts to impose sentences of more than a year in jail and a $5,000 fine.
Banishment is typically imposed by the tribal courts, where people can defend themselves and petition for reinstatement.
Where the laws exist, they are used sparingly. Most tribal leaders call banishment a last resort. But when it is used, it can hurt.
Kay Commodore, a Lummi Indian, was stripped of her tribal membership and banished from the reservation after she was convicted of drug trafficking in 1992. Commodore, 67, served three years in prison, and said banishment is worse. She is allowed on the reservation only to visit a plot of land she holds; she is forbidden to visit family members.
"They're taking away a piece of who I am," Commodore said. "I can go out to my land, but I can't stop and see anybody -- that's the thing that hurts me."
The nation's largest tribe, the Navajo Nation, has had a banishment-type law on its books since 1940. But Donovan Brown, assistant attorney general, can recall it being used only once _ about five years ago, for a person involved in gang activity.
The Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe recently used
banishment for the first time in around 75 years, casting out two young members
for starting fights and causing other trouble on the
Some Indian
leaders argue that banishment simply pushes a tribe's problems elsewhere. Others
worry that the punishment could be misused to silence political opponents; that
was one reason
Some tribes are also banishing non-Indians, saying it is their only weapon against outsiders who make trouble on the reservation.
Federal and state authorities oversee the prosecution of non-Indians who commit crimes in Indian country, but Indian leaders say some crimes -- like drug possession or domestic violence -- may not be considered a priority.
Last fall, the Bois Forte Band of Ojibwe
in
Best Article Found For 2006
“You
must love your neighbor as yourself.”—MATTHEW
22:39.-with-
Who Is My Neighbor? By The JW’S
After reviewing what is written in State Of Mind.htm and MInd-Set.htm Plus Concept.htm
Love Thy
Neighbors Is Appropriate For The Best Article
Found For 2006 Open