In our journey as believers, we encounter many responsibilities that stretch us beyond our natural comfort zones. Among these is a particularly challenging yet essential practice: the ability to admonish one another. This isn’t about harsh criticism or judgmental finger-pointing. Rather, it’s a delicate art of caring enough to speak truth, and humble enough to receive it.
Understanding Biblical Admonishment
The word “admonish” appears throughout scripture with a consistent pattern. When we examine its usage, we find it translated interchangeably with “warn” – appearing eight times in the text supporting the King James Bible, four times as “warn” and four times as “admonish.” This dual translation reveals something profound about the nature of biblical correction.
To admonish means to exhort or urge someone to do something, especially as a duty or obligation. It means to warn someone about future consequences while there’s still time to change course. But here’s what makes biblical admonishment different from worldly criticism: it’s always wrapped in tenderness.
The Tender Heart Behind the Warning
Consider Paul’s words to the Ephesian elders in Acts 20. He warned them “night and day with tears” about the grievous wolves that would come after his departure. Notice that – “with tears.” Paul’s warnings weren’t delivered with angry condemnation but with emotional concern, like a father grieving over potential harm to his children.
Similarly, when writing to the Corinthians, Paul said, “I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you.” Again, we see terms of endearment surrounding the correction. When addressing the Thessalonians about an unruly brother, Paul instructed them not to count him as an enemy, but to “admonish him as a brother.”
This pattern reveals a crucial truth: biblical admonishment flows from love, not superiority. It comes with humility, recognizing that we’re all fellow members of the same body, all struggling with the flesh, though perhaps in different ways.
Two Sources of Admonishment
Admonishment comes to us through two primary channels. First, through Scripture itself. In 1 Corinthians 10, Paul recounts Israel’s failures in the wilderness – their lusting, fornication, murmuring, and idolatry. Then he writes, “Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition.” (I Cor. 10:11)
The word of God admonishes us as we read it. We see the mistakes of those who went before, the consequences of disobedience, and the dangers of certain paths. Scripture functions as a loving warning system, showing us where others stumbled so we might avoid the same pitfalls.
Second, admonishment comes through other believers. Romans 15:14 states clearly: “I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.” This is presented not as an exceptional gift for a select few but as a capacity that all mature believers should possess.
A Practical Example
Acts 27 provides a perfect illustration of proper admonishment. Paul was being transported to Rome by ship when he perceived danger ahead. The season was wrong for sailing, and Paul knew it. Notice how he approached the situation: “And said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage.” (Acts 27:10)
Paul didn’t berate them. He didn’t insult their intelligence. He simply, respectfully shared information they might not have – a gentle warning about danger that lay ahead. He addressed them as “sirs,” maintaining respect even while disagreeing with their course of action.
Though they rejected his admonishment and suffered shipwreck as a result, Paul’s approach remained exemplary. He put them in mind of future danger while treating them with dignity and respect.
The Character Test
Our response to admonishment reveals much about our spiritual maturity. Proverbs 27:6 tells us, “Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.” Would we rather have friends who flatter us while we head toward destruction, or friends who care enough to risk our displeasure by speaking truth?
David understood this principle. In Psalm 141:5 he wrote, “Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness: and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head.” David recognized that correction from the righteous wasn’t an attack – it was kindness, like soothing oil rather than a blow to the head.
The ability to receive admonishment without becoming defensive, bitter, or hostile is a mark of spiritual growth. It requires a renewed mind, one that has been rewired by God’s Word to value truth over ego, growth over comfort.
The Progression of Correction
Scripture shows us a progression in correction. Admonishment represents the gentle, early stage. Titus 3:10 speaks of giving a heretic a “first and second admonition” before rejection. The implication is clear: heed the gentle warning before it escalates to something more severe.
When admonishment is ignored, stronger measures become necessary – rebuke and even rejection. It’s far better to receive and respond to gentle admonishment than to require harsh rebuke. All Scripture is profitable “for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,” but the wise person responds at the earliest, gentlest stage.
The Foundation of Mutual Admonishment
The ability to admonish one another rests on a foundation of other “one another” practices. When believers are “kindly affectioned one toward another” (Rom. 12:10), when they prefer one another in honor, when they refuse to judge one another in disputable matters, when they maintain like-mindedness according to Christ, and when they receive one another, then admonishment becomes possible.
Without this foundation, admonishment degenerates into criticism, judgment, and division. But built on this foundation, it becomes an act of love that strengthens the entire body of Christ.
The Aftermath
What happens after admonishment reveals its success or failure. Romans 16:16 instructs us to “salute one another.” If we cannot greet a fellow believer after receiving admonishment from them – if bitterness, resentment, or pride prevents warm fellowship – then something has gone wrong. Either the admonishment wasn’t given in love, or it wasn’t received in humility, or both.
Colossians 3:16 connects admonishing with singing together: “teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” When we cannot sing together, when fellowship is broken over correction given or received, grace has departed from the equation.
Moving Forward
None of us has mastered this art. We all struggle with giving admonishment in perfect love and receiving it in perfect humility. But Romans 14:19 calls us to “follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.”
Sometimes edification requires admonishment. Sometimes building each other up means gently pointing out where we’re tearing ourselves down. The key is doing it with the same grace we’ve received, remembering that we’re all miserable wretches saved by mercy, all members of the same body, all in desperate need of truth spoken in love.
Faithful are the wounds of a friend. May we be faithful friends to one another.
Pastor Bryan Ross
Grace Life Bible Church
Grand Rapids, MI
Friday, April 29, 2026
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