When is it necessary to rebuke another believer?

TL;DR:

Christians are responsible for rebuking fellow believers who have a pattern of sin in their lives. When we rebuke another believer, it must be done in love with the goal of restoration.

The Bible teaches that rebuking other believers in love and with the goal of restoration is not only acceptable but necessary. Proverbs highlights the wisdom of both giving and receiving correction (Proverbs 9:8; 12:1; 15:31–32; 27:5–6), and David’s confrontation by Nathan demonstrates God’s commitment to correction (2 Samuel 12:7–13). The New Testament emphasizes that correction is necessary because all have sinned (Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8; James 3:2), and Jesus outlined steps for addressing sin among believers (Matthew 18:15–17). Rebuke must be done with love (1 Corinthians 16:14), after self-examination (Matthew 7:2–5), and in alignment with Scripture (2 Timothy 2:15). Though uncomfortable, biblical correction is essential for restoring fellow believers and strengthening the body of Christ.

from the old testament

Proverbs 27:5–6 says, "Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy." A true friend will speak the truth in love, even if it is uncomfortable in the moment. We must show such love toward others.

from the new testament

In Matthew 18, Jesus explains the steps for bringing a charge against a fellow believer, which indicates the appropriateness of doing so: “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector” (Matthew 18:15–17). Because Jesus loves His church, He will not tolerate impurity within it. It is wrong to allow people within the church to claim to follow Him while profaning His name and reputation with their actions.
Galatians 6:1 indicates that rebuking a believer must be done in love, with the goal of restoring, rather than condemning: ”if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.”
James iterates that believers must confront someone in sin with the goal of restoration: “My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins” (James 5:19–20).

implications for today

Have you ever walked around with toilet paper on your shoe or spinach between your teeth? The embarrassment sets in when you finally realize it. You may think, “Why didn’t someone tell me?” We don’t like pointing out flaws nor having ours noticed. With superficial instances like the toilet paper or the spinach, just our ego is bruised. But with weightier matters, like persistent sin, our relationship with the Lord is at stake if no one helps us get back on course.

The Bible requires Christians to conquer the discomfort of rebuking a fellow believer so that he or she will be restored. Looking the other way at sin is not Christ-like. It’s also a poor witness. Why would someone want to join a church that shrugs at sin—just as the world does? How can we rest in our own relationship with the Lord when our brother’s relationship with Him is in peril? We’re to love our brothers and sisters enough to want to restore them, no matter how uncomfortable the conversation may be.

Before we rebuke, though, we should ask some self-reflective questions: Am I motivated by love and seeking to restore, rather than condemn (Galatians 6:1)? Am I prepared to explain the scriptural basis for the sin in question (2 Timothy 2:15; 3:10)? If my friend doesn't receive my rebuke, am I ready to take this issue to my spiritual leaders (Matthew 18:17)? Am I committed and prepared to walk with my friend during the restoration process (Matthew 26:41; James 5:19–20)? If you’re on solid ground in your answers to these questions, then you must put discomfort aside and attempt to restore a brother or sister.

understand

Rebuking a believer is necessary when there is a pattern of sin.
Rebuking another believer must be done in love with the goal of restoration.
Correction requires self-examination, a scriptural basis, and a commitment to walk with the person through restoration.

reflect

How do you feel about being corrected or rebuked by another believer?
How can you focus on restoring, rather than undue judgment, when it comes to rebuking another believer?
Have you ever hesitated to rebuke someone because it felt uncomfortable? What helped or hindered you from speaking up?

engage

What is the importance of rebuking another believer, and how is it different than wrongly judging a believer?
How does ignoring sin within the church affect the body of Christ and its witness to the world?
How can we create an environment where loving correction is received with humility, and what steps can we take to ensure that correction is done with the right motives and in alignment with Scripture?