", 2. Reproving a brother who had sinned was a positive command under the law. Pauls first letter to the Corinthians gives an example of how a congregation was to react when one of its members persisted in sin. This all points to the local church as the context of Jesus' detailed model for solving sin problems within the church. Jesus was talking about the assembly of His disciples that He was calling out of the world to represent Him that He knew would become a large body. They want to argue that the Bible is the only and final authority. Christ and believers have twisted interests; what is done against them Christ takes as done against himself, and what is done against him they cannot but take as done against themselves. When one feels wronged by another in the church, the temptation is for him to seek out some personal friend or confidant, and to elaborate the real or fancied wrong by embellishing it with every possible coloring and emphasis, thus spreading hate against the offending party. 20 For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.". Matthew 16:17-18. In every child there are infinite possibilities for good or ill. Note, Those should think it high time to repent and reform, who see their misconduct become a general offence and scandal. The "you" in the Greek text is singular indicating that the initiator is a single individual and the sphere of life Jesus had in mind throughout this section was interpersonal relations (cf. It is only after careful prayer and consideration for the other person should we go to and point out their sin in the hopes they will be restored. . This is the truth I tell you--all that you bind upon earth will remain bound in heaven; and all that you loose upon earth will remain loosed in heaven.". At this point, Jesus is on a road trip to Jerusalem for Passover. The Christian is like an athlete for whom no training is too hard, if by it he may win the prize; he is like the student who will sacrifice pleasure and leisure to reach the crown. We are not meant to pray only for our own needs, thinking of nothing and no one but ourselves; we are meant to pray as members of a fellowship, in agreement, remembering that life and the world are not arranged for us as individuals but for the fellowship as a whole. It will be likely to work upon an offender, when he sees his reprover concerned not only for his salvation, in telling him his fault, but for his reputation in telling him of it privately. We know the answer. If those who trusted in themselves that they were wise and righteous would not have Him, He would call even a publican on the spot to be among the most honoured of His followers, and would not disdain to be their joy when they desired His honour in the exercise of His grace. The rules prescribed, Matthew 18:15-17; Matthew 18:15-17. In this passage very often the child means both the young child and the beginner on the Christian way. To illustrate the point, Jesus told a story. John Chrysostom makes this clear in his 4th century commentary: But if he shall neglect to hear them also, tell it to the church, that is, to the rulers of it; but if he neglect to hear the church, Thus, the present dealings of God in grace, the actual shape taken by the kingdom of heaven, the calling of the Gentiles, the formation of the Church, are all passed completely over. We can imagine how the eyes of the people would turn ever and again to the hillside watching for the shepherd who had not come home; and we can imagine the shout of joy when they saw him striding along the pathway with the weary wanderer slung across his shoulder, safe at last; and we can imagine how the whole village would welcome him, and gather round with gladness to hear the story of the sheep who was lost and found. Now though at this time there was no particular church formed, yet there were some who had a power to bind and loose. But still, it was His carrying on the great process of shewing out more and more the total rejection of His rejectors. It spares him from the possibility of judgment from the wider community. The objective of all discipline is ultimately restoration, not exclusion. They even went the length of saying, very beautifully, that every blade of grass had its angel. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. Nor was it only a difference in the forms the truth took; but the vital principle which Christ was diffusing could not be so maintained. Required fields are marked *. All rights reserved worldwide. The grounds of such a judgment will naturally come before us ere long: I can merely refer to it now as my conviction. If not, then Jesus words would mean little. Alas for the world because of stumbling-blocks! Christ, having taught us to indulge the weakness of our brethren, here cautions us not to indulge their wickedness under pretence of that. Controlling authoritarians use Matthew 18 to silence dissenting speech, prophetic criticism, and to label people as trouble makerssources of contamination in the assembly that must be purged. Someone that when something really is troubling you, you have someone who can pray with you, and bear that burden with you. And so, for example, there's a governing body that has authority to make judgements on . It is a thousand pities that this appointment of Christ, which was designed to end differences, and remove offences, should itself be so much a matter of debate, and occasion differences and offences, through the corruption of men's hearts. All rights reserved. "Then," said the Lord, "are the children free. Then comes the boast of Peter, though for others as well as himself. Jesus then told the story of the servant forgiven a great debt who went out and dealt mercilessly with a fellow-servant who owed him a debt that was an infinitesimal fraction of what he himself had owed; and who for his mercilessness was utterly condemned. Are all Christians hypocrites? (ii) The love of God is a patient love. I feel like the past few years I am having to deprogram myself and relearn a lot. Accordingly, here we have a witness of it, and a witness so much the sweeter, because the present total rejection that was filling the heart of the leaders surely testified to the Lord's heart of that which was at hand. There is a certain difficulty of interpretation in this passage which must be borne in mind. We are dependent, therefore, for determining this case, on the fact that Mark does habitually adhere to the chain of events. "Tell him his fault, remind him of what he has done, and of the evil of it, show him his abominations." To receive the child is also a phrase which is capable of bearing more than one meaning. It may be so. To teach a child, to bring up a child in the way he ought to go, is something which is done not only for the sake of the child, but for the sake of Jesus himself. Can Martian Regolith be Easily Melted with Microwaves. [2.] Matthew 18 Matthew 18:18 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. (ii) Why should that be so? 1-4); How we receive and treat "these little ones who believe in Me," (vss. The rich young ruler was not converted: far from being so, he could not stand the test applied by Christ out of His own love, and, as we are told, "went away sorrowful." This was the very blessing that aroused, above all, the hatred of the scribes. "The community is authorized to determine The passage begins with Verse 15: Christian kindness and Christian forgiveness do not mean that a man who is in error is to be allowed to do as he likes. At this point in time, Andrew has, in general . If this article has been a blessing to you, would you prayerfully consider making a contribution through our Paypal button to help? Note, When we cannot do what we would in religion, we must do as we can, and God will accept us. It is worth more than having a whole body.As we were talking to you last Sunday about the trapping of muskrats, how that if you catch them by their paws, they turn around and gnaw their leg off and leave the paw in the trap. We shall be dealing in detail with these relationships as we study the chapter section by section; but before we do so, it will be well to look at the chapter as a whole. Matthew 18:15-17 New International Version Dealing With Sin in the Church 15 "If your brother or sister[ a] sins,[ b] go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. 8, could not deny what was done in the case of the leper, who showed himself duly, and brought his offering, according to the law, to the altar. I have endeavoured, though, of course, cursorily, and I feel most imperfectly, to give thus far Matthew's sketch of the Saviour as the Holy Ghost enabled him to execute it. Your Father is watching over them. 38:10), but normally a gate is the entry to a city, temple, or prison (Luke 7:12; Acts 3:10; 12:10). Where does the Baptist take his Pentecostal brother? All turns on that which was suitable to such a God, the giver of His own Son. What then did he mean? She now understands her emotional upheavals and helped her to see herself as normal.. And you'll just realize, hey, it isn't a matter of numbers, it's a matter of spirit. In the exercise of church discipline, they must come together in the name of Christ,1 Corinthians 5:4. That is to say, God's punishment is for those who are useless, for those who make no contribution to life, for those who hold life back instead of urging life on, for those who drag life down instead of lifting life up, for those who are the handicaps of others and not their inspirations. Not merely were there many pieces of value, but one pearl of great price. There Jesus says, "If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. It ought to have been John's place to have proclaimed the glory of Jesus; but all things in this world are the reverse of what they ought to be, and of what will be when Jesus takes the throne, coming in power and glory. "Who, then," they said, "is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?" Evidently it is the change of dispensation that is in question and at hand, the cutting off of the fleshly seed for their unbelief, and the bringing in of numerous believers in the name of the Lord from among the Gentiles. The scribe had no heart for the hidden glory. Nor is this all. Then, alas! Not that "tell it to the church" would have meant to original audiences "send messages to every community of believers in the world", but it has to mean that the issue is now not something involving the personalities or experience level of a few people directly involved, but a decision by the church in general (probably communicated better/wider than in our Internet Age!). Sufficient is the punishment which has attained its end, and the offender must then be forgiven and comforted, 2 Corinthians 2:6. While that is of course, one aim of these verses, it is important . When a man of that congregation is accused of having an incestuous relationship with his stepmother, Paul commands he be removed from their midst (1 Corinthians 5:1-2). Jesus isn't like some today who say, "Well, the crowd's too small. It's a matter of spirit. I say to them point blank, "cut it off, not tomorrow, right now, cut it off, "Oh, but I"- don't, cut it off.I said, "If I were a surgeon and you came to me, and you said, "Oh, I am having these lumps under my arm, and they are sore, and they really bother me." Treat Them as Unbelievers (Tax collectors and Gentiles). (1.) 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. Rather Matthew 18 presents the extenuating lengths we must go to in order to bring peace and restitution. I have to thank you for your blog and books. This is surely the simplest of all the parables of Jesus, for it is the simple story of a lost sheep and a seeking shepherd. Thank you so so much. I heard the podcast of how you and Bryon handled the Matthew 18 principle. Such a man must be guided and corrected and, if need be, disciplined back into the right way. The disciples were struggling to grasp Jesus deity, His suffering servant role, and His passion. The ultimate goal in every situation must be for grace and reconciliation among the body of Christ. I am in full agreement with that podcast. When do you suppose these conversations actually occurred, if we go to the question of their date? Then, after the parable of the mustard seed (ver. To the end the events are put together, just as in Matthew 8:1-34, without regard to the point of time when they occurred. (a) We may take it into the sphere of the Church. I just finished reading it last night. 7-9); and, the care of heaven toward both the saved and lost . Failure to do so robs the church not only of mature believers but also robs us of the opportunity to be used by God. If he doesn't pay attention to them, tell the church. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother." (Matthew 18:15 ESV) How does a Catholic use this to help another Catholic who has wondered off? I don't know what it is, but it's the word of Jesus, and you better take heed.Now the Lord has never commanded us to do anything, but what He will give us is the capacity to do it, if we are willing. Paul warns that sin, like leaven, spreads (1 Corinthians 5:4-6). The primacy of Peter is perhaps one of the strongest points of contention between Catholics and non-Catholics today. At the close of this chapter 9, in His deep compassion He bids the disciples pray the Lord of the harvest to send forth labourers into His harvest. 17 "And 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 . If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the Church. Who are you to hold this bitterness and unforgiving spirit? "To affect him; he will be the more likely to be humbled for his fault, when he sees it witnessed against by two or three." Matthew's church regards Gentiles and tax collectors as a mission field. There is no note of the time when he came, but simply the fact that he did come. Why? The next chapter (Matthew 18:1-35) takes up the double thought of the kingdom and the Church, showing the requisite for entrance into the kingdom, and displaying or calling forth divine grace in the most lovely manner, and that in practice. Count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother." In this we have another striking illustration of the same principle, because this miracle, in point of fact, was wrought long before the healing of the centurion's servant, or even of the leper. We get to that when we get to Luke's gospel. Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers. The Lord, no doubt, knew the heart of His servant, and could feel for him in the effect that circumstances took upon him. This utter, growing rejection of Jesus was coming out now rejection, at first allowed and whispered in the heart, soon to be pronounced in words like drawn swords. So He meekly retires, healing, yet forbidding it to be blazed abroad. 16: But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. He didnt blackball them. Receiving a little child in Jesus' name refers to complete acceptance of a child-like believer because of his innocent and unrestrained trust in the Lord. 3. It was the rule that, if a sheep could not be brought back alive, then at least, if it was at all possible, its fleece or its bones must be brought back to prove that it was dead. Context Summary Matthew 18:15-20 describes the process Jesus gives to the disciples for dealing with sin-related conflict among a group of believers. In its biblical context, sin was treated more harshly than it is today. It was to be brought to the church in order that he might be admonished, entreated, and, if possible, reformed. What I'm wondering, though, is whether "the church" necessarily refers to the whole gathered assembly, or whether the phrase can be properly read as a metonym, similar to a phrase like "waiting for an answer from the White House" where "the White House" obviously doesn't refer to the building, but to the president and his staff. And the servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, O Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay you all. Jesus has been describing a process for confronting another believer who is guilty of sin. The evil spirits asked leave to pass into the herd of swine, which thus typify the final condition of the defiled, apostate mass of Israel; their presumptuous and impenitent unbelief reduces them to that deep degradation not merely the unclean, but the unclean filled with the power of Satan, and carried down to swift destruction. We've added a "Necessary cookies only" option to the cookie consent popup. God is not content to wait until men come home; he goes out to search for them no matter what it costs him. But be careful that you're not the cause of the offenses. get answers to your Bible questions from 50+ resources ($2,400+ value! Let us apply it to the quarrels that happen, upon any account, among Christians. And if there is some sin that you are tolerating, allowing, playing with, and messing around with, you cannot do it. But if this be so, there is here absolute certainty that our Lord, on the very Sabbath in which He cast out the unclean spirit from the man in the synagogue of Capernaum, immediately after quitting the synagogue, entered the house of Peter, and that there and then He healed Peter's wife's mother of the fever. But none the less do we find His affections engaged for the help of the helpless. Jesus said, "Look, if you don't forgive them from your heart, your Father won't forgive you your debt. However, you do have your local chapter where there is a group of members you are vital with and have a relationship. There was no other Church around at the time these words were penned. But this does not help the body of Christ grow and mature as people or as a church. Now it is a great honour which Christ here puts upon the church, that he will condescend not only to take cognizance of their sentences, but to confirm them; and in the following verses we have two things laid down as ground of this. What it may well mean is that the relationships which we establish with our fellow-men last not only through time but into eternity--therefore we must get them right. Fourthly, The unanimous petitions of the church of God, for the ratification of their just censures, shall be heard in heaven, and obtain an answer; "It shall be done, it shall be bound and loosed in heaven; God will set his fiat to the appeals and applications you make to him." It is more particularly sin, viewed as guilt, and consequently as that which absolutely breaks and destroys all power in the soul towards both God and man. He was ignorant of himself, because ignorant of God, and imagined that it was only a question of man's doing good for God. And how is the rule usually observed? If you ask, "Who is the church that must be told?" Your book on praise and worship woke me up to the new covenant reality. Accordingly, here we have, first, the Lord judging the wrong thoughts of "Scribes and Pharisees which were of Jerusalem." The steps of church discipline are outlined in Matthew 18:15-17. One thing is certain: Matthew 18 does not apply to the systemic abuse of people by ecclesial leaders. In the chapter that follows we have a companion picture, carrying on, no doubt, the lord's presentation to Israel, but from a different point of view; for inMatthew 9:1-38; Matthew 9:1-38 it is not merely the people tried, but more especially the religious leaders, till all closes in blasphemy against the Holy Ghost. Then follows another incident, which equally proves that the Spirit of God is not here reciting the facts in their natural succession; for it is assuredly not at this moment historically that the Lord goes into the house of Peter, sees there his wife's mother laid sick of a fever, touches her hand, and raises her up, so that she ministers unto them at once. He is not the slave of numbers. This was a very Jewish/Semitic practice. Only tradition will not do this work, nor will human thoughts or feelings. tell it unto the church: By "church" (ekklesia), Jesus means the "assembly" or "congregation" of baptized saints. "Church discipline is a messenger of mercy to prepare people to stand before a holy God." As his condition worsened, he was haunted by the fact that his sin had pushed his church family to discipline him. The question fairly arises, Why it is that the Holy Ghost has been pleased so remarkably to leave time out of the question in this chapter, as well as in the next? I don't think the move from exegesis to application is that straightforward in this case. So long as a man considers his own self as the most important thing in the world, his back is turned to the Kingdom; if he wants ever to reach the Kingdom, he must turn round and face in the opposite direction. Michelle S. Lazurekis a multi-genre award-winning author, speaker, pastor's wife, and mother. Then the Lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and he freed him, and he forgave him the debt. It is a summons from the King to His people Israel. "No man putteth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment; for that which is put in to fill it up taketh from the garment, and the rent is made worse." If we have a difference with someone, there is only one way to settle it--and that is face to face. Now what you need to conceptionalize and to realize is the fact that Jesus is here tonight.Now if you have a real need and you knew Jesus was there, what would you do? Matthew 13:19-22), we find first of all the utter worthlessness of the flesh's readiness to follow Jesus. Thus He points out the utter moral incongruity of fasting at that moment, and intimates that it was not merely the fact that He was going to be rejected, but that to conciliate His teaching and His will with the old thing was hopeless. The presence of Christ in the assemblies of Christians, Matthew 18:20; Matthew 18:20. The word is aionios ( G166) . Paul did not go to the source by talking directly to the offenders and let them give their side of the story, and then take witnesses with him for stage two, and then bring it before the whole congregation for stage three of Matthew 18! And if they are truly honest with themselves, they know there is no other recourse than joining the Catholic Church. However, in extreme circumstances such as adultery or other sexual sin, leaders may decide putting them up in front of the church may be the best bet to protect the flock and to maintain their safety. ], Neither Jesus nor the apostles specified the exact form this discipline should take (e.g., excommunication, exclusion from the Lords Supper, social isolation, withheld table fellowship, etc.). Thanks to your prophetic seminar I am now free to be an authentic blessing to others, instead of always feeling like there is something wrong with me, because I can never seem to fit in., The residents in our recovery facility love your articles, so thank you your writings become part of their discipleship and recovery, This is an unfortunate and illegitimate understanding and application. "My daughter is even now dead, but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live." Jesus proceeded to explain what a humble disciple should do when a brother or sister disciple has wandered from the Shepherd and the sheep. This ministry is sustained by the freewill offerings of those believe in the message of a radical grace in a new covenant understanding. Matthew 18:1-20. In Galatians 2:11 what is meant by "I opposed him to his face"? In the time of Jesus the Jews had a very highly-developed angelology. Connect and share knowledge within a single location that is structured and easy to search. . See Leviticus 19:17. Thus the whole power of gospel ministers is resolved into the word and prayer, to which they must wholly give themselves. Then, with the addition of witnesses, it becomes semi-private. It is true, we have only one in Mark, as in Luke; whereas in our gospel we have two. as if it were a just action, take one or two others along with you, About an argument in Famine, Affluence and Morality. Jesus said, "Unless you turn." The binding and loosing spoken of (Matthew 16:19; Matthew 16:19) was done by preaching, this by praying. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. We have, first, the sower sowing the word. Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Matthew 18:15-20 The New King James Version (NKJV) 15 "Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. Surely not by inaccuracy; surely not by indifference to order, but contrariwise by divine wisdom that arranged the facts with a view to a purpose worthy of itself: God's arrangement of all things more particularly in this part of Matthew to give us an adequate manifestation of the Messiah; and, as we have seen, first, what He was to the appeal of the Jew; next, what He was and would be to Gentile faith, in still richer form and fulness. But if he neglect to hear the church: the advice they should give unto him, the reproof they should think proper for him, or the censure they should pass upon him. Matthew has already used this saying of Jesus in a different context in Matthew 5:30. But, as I have stated, the choice and ordination of the twelve apostles had really taken place before the sermon on the mount, though not mentioned in Matthew, but in Mark and Luke. Rabbi Jose ben Hanina said, "He who begs forgiveness from his neighbour must not do so more than three times." I feel like Ive been spinning my wheels for years and now like a babe relearning everything fresh n new. But when the Lord was here, no matter what the unbelief of others, it was only an opportunity for the grace of Jesus to shine out. In Luke 17:3-4 Jesus is teaching the disciples about forgiveness and says: Be on your guard! To satisfy the physical needs of a child, to wash his clothes and bind his cuts and soothe his bruises and cook his meals may often seem a very unromantic task; the cooker and the sink and the work-basket have not much glamour; but there is no one in all this world who helps Jesus Christ more than the teacher of the little child and the harassed, hard-pressed mother in the home. He desires for the members of his body to be in unity with one another. If this article has been a blessing to you, would you prayerfully consider making a contribution through our Paypal button to help? There is no greater mistake than to suppose, because there is the richest development of God's grace in new things, that He abandons or weakens natural relationships and authority in their place. It is the death-blow to human tradition and ordinance in divine things, and in reality depends on the truth of the absolute ruin of man a truth which, as we see, the disciples were very slow to recognize. That may well be the meaning. The implication is one of incredulity. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if you [careful note] if you from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses ( Matthew 18:23-35 ). The Lord turned the captivity of Job, not when he prayed for himself, but when he prayed for his friends who had trespassed against him. Secondly, If that doth not prevail, then take with thee one or two more,Matthew 18:16; Matthew 18:16. And the fellowservant fell down at his feet, and he begged him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.