“Withdraw Yourselves”

by Micky Galloway

Matthew 18:17, “And if he refuse to hear them, tell it unto the church: and if he refuse to hear the church also, let him be unto thee as the Gentile and the publican.”

Romans 16:17, “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them that are causing the divisions and occasions of stumbling, contrary to the doctrine which ye learned: and turn away from them.”

I Corinthians 5:11, “but as it is, I wrote unto you not to keep company, if any man that is named a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such a one no, not to eat.”

II Thessalonians 3:6, “Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which they received of us.”

II Thessalonians 3:14, “And if any man obeyeth not our word by this epistle, note that man, that ye have no company with him, to the end that he may be ashamed.”

Titus 3:10, “A factious man after a first and second admonition refuse.”

Disciplinary action was not intended as a means of taking vengeance. God alone has that prerogative (Romans 12:19). The primary purpose is to reprove one when words have failed; to reprove in such a way that one is constantly reminded of his sin so that he will repent and return to the Lord. Paul said to “withdraw yourselves,” “have no company with him,” “that he may be ashamed” (II Thessalonians 3:6, 14) and “that the spirit may be saved” (I Corinthians 5:5). Paul also commanded, “Purge out the old leaven” (I Corinthians 5:7). This is to separate the sinner and keep his influence from spreading through the congregation.

Unfortunately, some sympathize with those who are so marked and the guilty party is not made to feel the seriousness of his sin. The effect of church discipline therefore is lessened. Please consider … the only hope this lost soul has is for the entire congregation to “withdraw yourselves.”

What does the Bible say I must do? Matthew 18:17 (KJV) says, “… let him be unto thee as an heathen man and as a publican.” Treat him as one outside the church with wicked habits. We are not to share, condone, or in any way have fellowship with his sinful life. Please note: We are to treat him with kindness and compassion, as one interested in his soul and seeking his salvation, yet in such a way as to leave no doubt regarding our lack of fellowship with him because of his sin. Romans 16:17 says we are to “mark” and “avoid” (KJV) them. To “mark” is to observe attentively, to watch. “Avoid” is from ekklino and means “to turn aside, to turn away from” (W.E. Vine). Our actions toward such a one must in no way encourage him in his sin, but make him keenly conscious of God’s disapproval. II Thessalonians 3:14-15 says we are to “have no company with him … count him not as an enemy ... admonish him as a brother.” Our association with the withdrawn is to be for the express purpose of admonition that he might repent and return to the Lord. I Corinthians 5:5, 11, 13 teaches that we are to “Put away,” “deliver … unto Satan,” and “with such a one no, not to eat.” We are in no way to encourage him in his sin. We must ever keep him aware that he is in Satan’s camp as long as he continues in his sin.

My genuine love for my brother who refuses to repent of his sin becomes the compelling force to “withdraw yourselves.” How can I say I love him if I don’t carry out the God ordained action that will constantly reprove him of his sin? One of the causes of this is that some fail to see the restorative powers of “withdrawal” that is properly instituted. My love for my brother who has left the Lord will compel me to do what I can to restore him that his soul might be saved. God’s plan does work. The incestuous man of I Corinthians 5 repented of his fornication and the church in Corinth proved themselves pure in the matter and proved their love for God and for one another (II Corinthians 2:4, 11).

When we withdraw ourselves without partiality (I Timothy 5:19-21), when the motive is love for God and love for the lost; then God is pleased, brethren are strengthened, and sinners are saved. We dare not shun our responsibility lest we be guilty of sin ourselves (James 4:17) and consent with them that practice sin (Romans 1:32). Do we care enough for our brethren who are away from Christ to “withdraw yourselves”? Your withdrawal may be the very thing necessary to effect repentance that they might be saved. Unfortunately, many have not cultivated a relationship with brethren to be desired; therefore nothing is lost because there is nothing to withdraw. Beloved, we can do better!