Why is church discipline necessary?

The necessity of church discipline is evidenced in 2 Corinthians 2, where Paul addresses an offender in the church who had been disciplined due to sinful behavior, which disrupted the fellowship. Discipline serves to protect the sanctity of the church and the integrity of the gospel being preached; it is not simply punitive, but restorative. Paul's instruction to forgive and comfort those who have repented shows that the goal of discipline is restoration to fellowship with God and His people. As such, while discipline may seem harsh, it is rooted in love and aimed at healing and reconciliation, reflecting Christ's heart toward His church.