In immediate juxtaposition to this stands the Gentile centurion, who seeks healing for his servant. "And He entered into a ship, and passed over, and came into His own city." He would send fit messengers, nor would the work be done till the rejected Messiah, the Son of man, came. 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 . All of 18:15-20 pertains to the Apostles and their successors and not anyone whosoever claims to be a Christian, including His teaching regarding what they should bind on earth should be bound in heaven (18:18), as well as that when two or three of them are gathered in His name, he would be in their midst (18:20). "And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed Him, crying and saying, Thou Son of David, have mercy on us." (ii) Second, there is the quality of responsibility ( Matthew 18:5-7). 16But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.[c](B) 17If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church;(C) and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.(D). (i) If we feel that someone has wronged us, we should immediately put our complaint into words. and who are my brethren?" To whom thou art, as a Christian, to owe earnest and persevering good will, and acts of kindness; but have no religious communion with him, till, if he have been convicted, he acknowledge his fault. "Suffer me first," he says, "to go and bury my father." It does not mean that we should cease to show kindness to him and aid him in affliction or trial, for that is required toward all people; but it means that we should disown him as a Christian brother, and treat him as we do other people not connected with the church. The possibilities may never be realized; they may be stifled and stunted; that which might be used for good may be deflected to the purposes of evil; or they may be unleashed in such a way that a new tide of power floods the earth. Peter expected to be warmly commended; but Jesus's answer was that the Christian must forgive seventy times seven. But if Matthew here laid aside all question of time, it was in view of other and weightier considerations for his object. Pauls first letter to the Corinthians gives an example of how a congregation was to react when one of its members persisted in sin. Leading up to this point (Matthew 18:1-14), Christ has expressed His identification with little children and what it will take to inherit eternal life. VERSION, NIV Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. Is it not most sweet to see, that He who proves His divine glory at once associates us with Himself? Life had been imparted to, the sleeping maid of Zion the blind men call on Him as the Son of David, and not in vain. When church conflict arises, many pastors agree that we should follow the tenets outlined in Matthew 18. but what does Matthew 18 say, and why is it important to follow this when it comes to conflict resolution? I believe Jesus is teaching us to set healthy and compassionate boundaries in our relationships and releasing us to move on from intractable situations or irreconcilable relationships (rather than obsessing with fixing what we cant repair). It cannot mean that the Church can remit or forgive sins, and so settle a man's destiny in time or in eternity. And Jesus wanted it to be. Such a man must be guided and corrected and, if need be, disciplined back into the right way. I am sure when he said "seven times", he was going far beyond what he knew he could do. Our model for this is Matthew 18:15-18. Then the Lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and he freed him, and he forgave him the debt. That name gives to what they do an authority on earth, and an acceptableness in heaven. There were two; but the Spirit of God chose out, in Mark and Luke, the more remarkable of the two, and traces for us his history, a history of no small interest and importance, as we may feel when we come to Mark; but it was of equal moment for the gospel of Matthew that the two demoniacs should be mentioned here, although one of them was in himself, as I gather, a far more strikingly desperate case than the other. Jesus said, "Look, if you don't forgive them from your heart, your Father won't forgive you your debt. Read the Scripture: Matthew 18:15-18. Would any man make of the Messiah a mere man and a mere subject of the law given by Moses? God I am angry with what they've done. Just like if you have a problem with a sibling and you "discuss with the family" it might not mean that you brought the issue to all your aunts, uncles, cousins, grand parents etc. 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. Misguided church leaders often use Matthew 18 as a speech/thought-control template. (i) It teaches that lesson which runs through all the New Testament--a man must forgive in order to be forgiven. 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. This as yet draws out wonder, at least from the witnessing multitudes, that God had given such power unto men. 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. It would require the credulity of a sceptic to believe that this is not the self-same fact that we have before us inMatthew 8:1-34; Matthew 8:1-34. When Jesus said, "Tell it to the church (assembly)," the disciples probably heard, "Tell it to all the other disciples, not just the two or three witnesses." Because He said He would be here in the midst of us, and you can reach out by faith and touch Him tonight. So often we accept a man who is penitent with a moral lecture and a clear indication that he must regard himself as contemptible, and the practical statement that we have no further use for him and do not propose to trust him ever again. Does "the church" in Matthew 18:17 refer to the whole assembly? And the servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, O Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay you all. The care of children is something which is carried out for the sake of none other than Jesus Christ. They can manipulate a group of individuals and thus control and shape a community's experiential reality: a reality that too often accrues to the material, social, or psychological benefit of the church leadership. 7-9); and, the care of heaven toward both the saved and lost . The church must receive the complaints of the offended, and rebuke the sins of the offenders, and judge between them, after an impartial enquiry made into the merits of the cause. (vii) There is the spirit of forgiveness ( Matthew 18:23-35); and the Christian's forgiveness of his fellow-men is founded on the fact that he himself is a forgiven man. With them they had no religious contact or communion. You're talking about motivation, and the disciples were not pure in their motivations. Many words are not now required for that which is happily familiar to most here. shall purge the evil from your midst. This furnishes occasion to the Pharisees to vent their unbelief: to them nothing is so offensive as grace, either in doctrine or in practice. In the reception of the little children this is plain; it is not so generally seen in what follows. God does not give us escape from a human situation; he enables us to accept what we cannot understand; he enables us to endure what without him would be unendurable; he enables us to face what without him would be beyond all facing. The shepherd was not content to wait for the sheep to come back; he went out to search for it. to forget His ancient people. Jesus isn't like some today who say, "Well, the crowd's too small. But, 2. If that is to be taken literally, and without any qualification, it is manifestly untrue. Matthew 18:17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church In Matthew 14:1-36 facts are narrated which manifest the great change of dispensation that the Lord, in setting forth the parables we have just noticed, had been preparing them for. If I didn't bother to take the biopsies and determine whether or not you had cancer of the lymph nodes, but I just said, "Oh, probably you've got cancer in your lymph nodes. What church must be told--is the great question. Wretched we, that we should need such proof of it; wretched, that we should be so slow of heart to answer to it, or even to feel its immensity! To eat with unwashed hands defileth not a man. Matthew is himself a former tax collector as is Zaccheus. A number of intriguing observations come up as we read through Matthew 18 more carefully. We have seen that when he speaks of tax-gatherers and sinners he always does so with sympathy and gentleness and an appreciation of their good qualities. The true path to greatness is always the path of humility. He tells the believers in those churches not to associate with those who have resisted correction. Of course, this forces them to determine what Church this is. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation." The implication is one of incredulity. 1:11) concerning the behavior of people in the congregation in Corinth. Required fields are marked *. Jesus said to him, "I tell you not up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. So He meekly retires, healing, yet forbidding it to be blazed abroad. The worst thing that we can do about a wrong is to brood about it. The fact is, in judging others we judge ourselves. 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. He knew this would be the church as we know it, but the disciples must have thought He meant just themselves in a collective sense. "Tell it to the church, that particular church in the communion of which the offender lives; make the matter known to those of that congregation who are by consent appointed to receive informations of that kind. Thus it is shown that, though we have rich grace to the Gentile, there is the remembrance of natural relationship still. Let me passingly notice a very few particulars. He healed, and bore its burden on His heart before God, as truly as He took it away from men. 2. Where two or three are assembled together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.". Otherwise verses in the old testament and in fact the whole Bible would be largely irrelevant to us today. How He loves that simple faith and trust that is in the heart of a child. ., p. Matthew 20:17-28 | Walking Together Ministries Because this model of putting people up in front of the church is only used in extreme circumstances, your congregation may find it unhealthy or offensive to put someone up in front of the church for a smaller sin, such as gossiping or lying. Or thou mayest, if thou wilt, break off thy friendship and familiarity with him; though thou must by no means study revenge, yet thou mayest choose whether thou wilt have any dealings with him, at least, in such a way as may give him an opportunity of doing the like again. When the king heard of his servants behaviour, he withdrew his forgiveness (Matthew 18:31-34). It does not mean we treat people like moral contaminants. Now, God would not command us to do the impossible. witnesses. No sooner had Jesus taught his men his own prayer, than he went on to expand and explain one petition in it: "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses" ( Matthew 6:14-15). Seek to reach a unanimous decision on what to do next. But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny." (iv) The love of God is a rejoicing love. He caught hold of him and seized him by the throat: 'Pay what you owe,' he said. Sounds like the Mafia here, but I am all for it. And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. Perhaps human realities dictate that close communion with another person is neither possible, nor relationally wisefor whatever legal, spiritual, or interpersonal reasons. The Jew would gladly agree that, if the sinner came crawling wretchedly home, God would forgive. If the bonds of fellowship and friendship are strong, then an erring member will more naturally want to return to the fold. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the Church. It spares him the embarrassment of having his sin made public. The 100 denarii debt could be carried in one pocket. Silent Killers of Faith Oh my! Had Peter confessed who the Son of man really is? The warning in this passage applies specifically to one who causes the loss of a human soul. Perhaps no verse is so taken out of context and misapplied as Matthew 7:1, "Do not judge so that you will not be judged." 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. 1-4); How we receive and treat "these little ones who believe in Me," (vss. And if there is some sin that you are tolerating, allowing, playing with, and messing around with, you cannot do it. [Note: Wiersbe, 1:66. PDF Matthew 18:15-18: The Most Misapplied Passage on Church Conflict Punishment which is aionios ( G166) is punishment which it befits God to give and punishment which only God can give. There are those who never give of their best except on the so-called great occasion; but for Jesus Christ every occasion where even two or three are gathered in his name is a great occasion. It spares him from the possibility of judgment from the wider community. "With greater authority." The Jews took the view that the most unforgivable of all sins is to teach another to sin; and for this reason--a man's own sins can be forgiven, for in a sense they are limited in their consequences; but if we teach another to sin, he in his turn may teach still another, and a train of sin is set in motion with no foreseeable end. Now, God would not command us to do the impossible. (Mt 16:18-20 [NET]). They have not seized the aim of each gospel. let him be unto thee as an heathen man, and a publican. The "Church" could just refer to a few members in the locality. Here we find our Lord, after sending out the chosen witnesses of the truth (so momentous to Israel, above all) of His own Messiahship, realizing His utter rejection, yet rejoicing withal in God the Father's counsels of glory and grace, while the real secret in the chapter, as in fact, was His being not Messiah only, nor Son of man, but the Son of the Father, whose person none knows but Himself. But I must be willing, but I must do it. This was a very Jewish/Semitic practice. The mention of "the church," or "the congregation" as it is in the Greek, shows that this rule was propounded by Christ for observance on the part of his followers in all ages. (iv) If that still fails, we must take our personal troubles to the Christian fellowship. The Matthew 18 principle tells us the first step when someone sins against you or has offended you. I don't think the move from exegesis to application is that straightforward in this case. Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Churches that want to follow Jesus Christ desire to follow the tenets of the Bible. Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money. Them that are without God judges,1 Corinthians 5:12; 1 Corinthians 5:13. The Lord has nothing for them, or for Him, but to go right on to the end. Peter asks a word from his Master, and leaves the ship to join Him on the water. "Blessed are the merciful," said Jesus, "for they shall obtain mercy" ( Matthew 5:7). Little Jewish mothers wanting to set up their boys. While this may sound correct, given this is appropriate in a secular work environment, churches need to adopt a Matthew 18 conflict resolution strategy when it comes to reconciling with our brothers and sisters in Christ. The man's walk before them testifies to the reality of his forgiveness before God. We have noted that the terms "lord," "disciple," "apostle," and others came to have more specific meanings as Gods kingdom plan unfolded. But to talk matters over with some wise and kindly and gracious people present is to create a new atmosphere in which there is at least a chance that we should see ourselves "as others see us." (1) 1 Peter 2:5 b) Matthew 16:18 i) The Greek word for church means "a called-out assembly." ii) The Lord Jesus is calling out people from across the world by the Holy Whosoever follows this threefold rule will seldom offend others, and never be offended himself. How the Misuse of Matthew 18 Bullies Abuse Survivors Into Silence Site design / logo 2023 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA. In the next incident the force of the plea turns on God's goodness towards the wretchedness of man. What can a lawyer do if the client wants him to be acquitted of everything despite serious evidence? 16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and he is as a religious person z.''. Approach them directly. We must "go and tell him his fault BETWEEN you and him alone." Now, we are talking here about a sinning brother. From verse one in Matthew 18 Jesus deals with matters which are related: How we think of others, with self-exalting pride or humility (vss. He now takes His place of rejection; for Him it is manifest even now by their inmost thoughts of Him when revealed. 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. Matthew 18:17. Observe that it is at this point the chapter begins with vindicating the sanctity of marriage. And that's very typical. "Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof" He had only to say in a word, and his servant should be healed. Bible Gateway passage: Matthew 18:18-21 - New International Version "Tell him his fault, elenxon auton--argue the case with him" (so the word signifies); "and do it with reason and argument, not with passion." Matthew 18:15-17 gives some guidelines as to the proper steps to take when a fellow brother or sister in Christ commits a sin against you: If your brother or sistersins, go and point out their fault,just between the two of you. No doubt the first verse says, that "when He was come down from the mount, great multitudes followed Him;" but then the second verse gives no intimation that the subject which follows is to be taken as chronologically subsequent. There is room also for the most thorough self-abnegation. Every believer has the presence of Christ with him; but the promise here refers to the meetings where two or three are gathered in his name, not only for discipline, but for religious worship, or any act of Christian communion. That is a must. J. Salza: Paul, thanks for your kind words. Ecclessia doesn't have a sense of just the people of one denomination who meet at that local church building you see in your suburb of the city. the sight of the Lord your God, by transgressing His covenant, and Thank you. In verse 13 our Lord "goeth up into a mountain, and calleth unto him whom he would: and they came unto him. 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. God puts our sins behind his back; and when we return to him, it is all joy. The binding and loosing spoken of (Matthew 16:19; Matthew 16:19) was done by preaching, this by praying. There is something about their innocence and simplicity that is absolutely glorious. The woman of Canaan, out of the borders of Tyre and Sidon, appeals to Him; a Gentile of most ominous name and belongings a Gentile whose case was desperate; for she appeals on behalf of her daughter, grievously vexed with a devil. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. and what had the Son of David to do with a Canaanite? This chapter 18 conversation took place in private, in a house (see commentary on Matthew 18:1-5).
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