It is a mistake to suppose that the withdrawing of fellowship from a man cuts him off from the body of Christ. The very fact that he can come back by repentance, and does not have to be baptized again, shows he was not out of the church. It, is also a mistake to think that the withdrawing seals the offender's perdition. Quite the other way; it is God's means--and, if understood aright, a most powerful means--to save him. When the church, acting under the instructions of Christ, withdraws from a brother, God ratifies the action. (Matt. 18:18.) It will be a blessing to the church and also to the sinful member. And what is the blessing to him? He will be delivered unto Satan--not for damnation, unless he remains stubborn unto the end; but for chastisement, that he may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. Now what Satan can and will do to a man under leave from God; and within the limit God sets him, is plentifully illustrated in the case of Job. A man in this [39] way formally delivered over into the hands of Satan must pass through a severe discipline. This appears in the very language Paul employs: "Hymenæus and Alexander, whom I delivered unto Satan, that they might be taught not to blaspheme." (1 Tim. 1:20.) "In the name of our Lord Jesus, ye being gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus, to deliver such a one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus." (1 Cor. 5:4, 5). This commandment, so solemnly given, has been treated as if it were an optional matter, greatly to the hurt of both the church and the erring members.

[TAG 39-40]