We get to that when we get to Luke's gospel. But I must be willing, but I must do it. Seeking the Gospel in Malachi, the Last Book of the Old Testament. The civil magistrate, say some; The Jewish sanhedrim then in being, say others; but by what follows, Matthew 18:18; Matthew 18:18, it is plain that he means a Christian church, which, though not yet formed, was now in the embryo. He was then present, a man despised, yet with title to forgive sins, proved by immediate power to heal. Churches that want to follow Jesus Christ desire to follow the tenets of the Bible. Even if the stubborn sinner is like a tax-collector or a Gentile, you may still win him, as I have done.". Observe, First, That the power of church discipline is not here lodged in the hand of a single person, but two, at least, are supposed to be concerned in it. (Matthew 18:15-17 KJV) William Burkitt's Commentary In these words our Saviour gives us an excellent rule for the duty of fraternal correction, or brotherly admonition. However suitable to the Jewish expectation that He should be found a man, undeniably there was that apparent which was infinitely above the Jew's thought; for the Jew showed his own degradation and unbelief in the low ideas he entertained of the Messiah. Bible Book List. Is the Church the Body of Christ spoken of in Matthew 16:18? The worst thing that we can do about a wrong is to brood about it. Thanks for contributing an answer to Biblical Hermeneutics Stack Exchange! What instrument so suitable? "Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not: Woe unto thee, Chorazin! There are no recriminations; there is no receiving back with a grudge and a sense of superior contempt; it is all joy. But none the less do we find His affections engaged for the help of the helpless. 690-94.] VERSION, NIV Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. Connect and share knowledge within a single location that is structured and easy to search. A similar principle applies to the little children, who are next introduced; and the same thing is true substantially of natural or moral character here below. [1.] Many words are not now required for that which is happily familiar to most here. And I encourage every one of you to have a prayer partner. I am sure when he said "seven times", he was going far beyond what he knew he could do. He had been there before. He asked Jesus how often he ought to forgive his brother, and then answered his own question by suggesting that he should forgive seven times. And besides, this is given, not as a rule to the church, but as advice to the offended person, how to behave towards the offender: after he has come under the cognizance, reproof, and censure of the church, he is to look upon him as the Jews did one that disregarded both private reproof by a man's self, and that which was in the presence of one or two more, , "a worthless friend", or neighbour; as a Gentile, with whom the Jews had neither religious nor civil conversation; and a "publican", or as Munster's Hebrew Gospel reads it, "a notorious sinner", as a publican was accounted: hence such are often joined together, and with whom the Jews might not eat, nor keep any friendly and familiar acquaintance: and so such that have been privately admonished and publicly rebuked, without success, their company is to be shunned, and intimate friendship with them to be avoided. While believers are not to fraternize with disfellowshiped brethren, they are not to treat them as enemies. The Jew would gladly agree that, if the sinner came crawling wretchedly home, God would forgive. Of course, both do preserve chronological order when it is compatible with the objects the Holy Spirit had in inspiring them; but in both the order of time is subordinated to still greater purposes which God had in view. Let us consider it both ways. The ninety-and-nine were not enough; one sheep was out on the hillside and the shepherd could not rest until he had brought it home. In the time of Jesus the Jews had a very highly-developed angelology. 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. In the Old Testament Law we find instruction on handling a sinner much the same way with accusation confirmed by investigation and witnesses then followed by all the people dealing with the sin. Now He brings out not the kingdom merely, but His Church; and this not merely in view of hopeless unbelief in the mass, but of the confession of His own intrinsic glory as the Son of God by the chosen witness. (i) It can mean for my sake. God is one and His Church is one. It is important Christians take the necessary steps to promote reconciliation and peace rather than strife and tension. So, when more is added, He says, "All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him. THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL Had she not such confusion of thought that, if the Lord had heeded her words, it must have been destruction to her? 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. The Book of Enoch speaks about eternal judgment, about judgment for ever, about punishment and torture for ever, about the fire which burns for ever. Of course, the facts of the cross were necessary to give it an evident and literal fulfilment; but we have it first apparent in His life, and it is blessed to see it thus accomplished, as it were, in what passed with Himself; fully realized in His own spirit, and the results exposed before the external facts gave the fullest expression to Jewish unbelief. But not even so is his salvation to be neglected. Whoever humbles himself as this little child, he is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.". Matthew 18:15-20 ESV - "If your brother sins | Biblia Josephus (Antiquities of the Jews 14. 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. Whatever the time may have been, whatever the incidents added by others, the account is given here for the purpose of showing, that as Israel's case was desperate, even unto death, so He, the Messiah, was the giver of life, when all, humanly speaking, was over. one witness. 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." "To be witnesses of his conduct, in case the matter should afterward be brought before the church." This parable teaches us many things about that love. Jesus isn't like some today who say, "Well, the crowd's too small. (iii) It has a warning to silence all evasion. The presence of Christ in the assemblies of Christians, Matthew 18:20; Matthew 18:20. God doth especially own and accept us, when we are praying for those that have offended him and us. (iii) The love of God is a seeking love. (iv) If that still fails, we must take our personal troubles to the Christian fellowship. Moreover, the very picture of drowning had its terror for the Jew. 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. Would any man make of the Messiah a mere man and a mere subject of the law given by Moses? 18:22). But first appears the new and great fact, that Christ was going to build a new building, His assembly, on the truth and confession of Himself, the Son of God. Their state had long been that of a man whom the unclean spirit had left, after a former dwelling in him. The greatest of all sins is to teach another to sin, especially if that other should be a weaker, a younger, and a less-experienced brother. Jesus said unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven ( Matthew 18:22 ). This passage speaks of the Gehenna ( G1067) of fire. Your book on healing has touched me in such a deep way. They must have felt embarrassed and ashamed. ), Lev 19:17; Lk 17:3; Gal 6:1; Jas 5:19, 20, Nu 35:30; Dt 17:6; 19:15; Jn 8:17; 2Co 13:1; 1Ti 5:19; Heb 10:28, NIV, Lucado Encouraging Word Bible, Comfort Print: Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV, Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible, Red Letter Edition: Bringing to Life the Ancient World of Scripture, NIV, The Story, Hardcover, Comfort Print: The Bible as One Continuing Story of God and His People, NIV, The Story: The Bible as One Continuing Story of God and His People, NIV, Verse Mapping Bible, Comfort Print: Find Connections in Scripture Using a Unique 5-Step Process, NIV, The Woman's Study Bible, Full-Color, Red Letter: Receiving God's Truth for Balance, Hope, and Transformation. Jesus did not confuse them with much revelation about the form that their corporate identity would take following His ascension. Sorrow would come full soon when He, the Bridegroom of His people, should be taken away; and then should they fast. "Of whom do the kings of the earth take custom? Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. In other words, the leper is here introduced after the sermon on the mount, though, in fact, the circumstance took place long before it. The man who taught another to sin would be better to be drowned far out in the most lonely of all waste places. (i) It teaches that lesson which runs through all the New Testament--a man must forgive in order to be forgiven. How I wish I wouldve come across a read like this/been exhorted as much when I was a few years younger. It is easy to pay most attention to the person who, in the worldly sense of the term, has made a success of life. So it was here. What Does Matthew 18 Say about Conflict Resolution Within the Church? Where does the Baptist take his Pentecostal brother? but if he neglect to hear the church: Only one option remains if all of the above steps are followed and the sinner still refuses to repent. Nevertheless, the Lord did not withhold the infinite boon, though He knew too well their thoughts; He spoke the word of forgiveness, though He read their evil heart that counted it blasphemy. If this fails, two or three others should be called in, firstly to make sure that the offender is in fact guilty and secondly to appeal for reconciliation. The Christian is constantly aware that he is responsible for the effect of his life, his deeds, his words, his example on other people. First of these comes the treasure hidden in the field, for which the man sells all he had, securing the field for the sake of the treasure. Answer (1 of 8): (1) Preliminary comment: Matthew 18:15-35 is often treated in isolation as the classic passage about church discipline, given to provide rules for running the church and principles for applying church discipline. 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. Matthew 16:18), this word means "a called out assembly of people." So it was here; and our Lord turns to eternal account, in His own goodness, the shortcoming of John the Baptist, the greatest of women-born. Only tradition will not do this work, nor will human thoughts or feelings. And so, for example, there's a governing body that has authority to make judgements on . He means it to be shocking. and when they were alone, He expounded all things to His disciples [in both the parables and the explanations alluding to what we possess in Matthew 13:1-58.]. Commentary on Matthew 18:15-20 - Working Preacher Let me passingly notice a very few particulars. God has given his people the responsibility to deal with such cases, and they must find out Gods will and do it. It will be thirteen years ago, this month, that I came fresh from Dallas Seminary to the Bay Area and to the work here at Peninsula Bible Fellowship, as it was known then. Matthew has been telling the story of Jesus as he remembers it. "Then Jesus in verse eleven says so beautifully. Your Father is watching over them. Matthew 18:15-17 NIV - Dealing With Sin in the Church - "If - Bible Gateway Well you file a malpractice suit against me for quackery for saying, "We'll, just let it go and see what happens".And I said, "You're coming to me with a spiritual malady that is more deadly then cancer. It was not a local church, but itinerant. I have been working through your book on worship. To continue to allow the flock to fraternize with such a beast is to invite bloodshed. Thus the old link with the flesh, with Israel, is now disowned; and the new relationships of faith, founded on doing the will of His Father (it is not a question of the law in any sort), are alone acknowledged. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. With God, as nothing is impossible, so no one, small or great, is despised: all is seen and put in its just place; and grace, which rebukes creature pride, can afford to deal divinely with the smallest as with the greatest. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven ( Matthew 18:2-4 ). This question is accordingly put to the proof in the ninth chapter. (i) It stresses the terror of teaching another to sin. detestable thing has been done in Israel, then you shall bring out He can only be treated as one outside the church, not hated, but not held in close fellowship." Then, in Mark 3:1-35, there are notes of time more or less strong. He is in the midst of them, that is, in their hearts; it is a spiritual presence, the presence of Christ's Spirit with their spirits, that is here intended. Jesus is just as much present in the little congregation as in the great mass meeting. . He that humbles himself shall be exalted"( Luke 14:11 ). 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.". Parents, and the disciples, like the Pharisees, were shown that grace, just because it is the expression of what God is to a ruined world, takes notice of what man in his own imaginary dignity might count altogether petty. [Note: Walvoord, Matthew: . Andrew was confronted in his sin, called to repent and as an act of repentance, submit to his church leaders. 18 we read: 15: If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. Those letters were sent to church leaders, but also circulated among the church as a whole. Then his lord, after he had called him, said unto him, O you wicked servant, I forgave you all that debt, because you desired me to: Should you not also have had compassion on your fellowservant, even as I had pity on you? 9. They said, "Lord when you come into your kingdom, would you let one of my sons be on your right hand? she cried; but what had she to do with the Son of David? Church discipline repairs the fellowship, keeps its members in the flock, and sanctifies the church. 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. Jesus had uttered similar words in Matthew 16:19 when discussing the divine authority He had given to Peter and the other 11 apostles of the Jerusalem Church. Your book on praise and worship woke me up to the new covenant reality. When the incestuous Corinthian was to be cast out, the church was gathered together (1 Corinthians 5:4), and it was a punishment inflicted of many, 2 Corinthians 2:6. Such is the perversity of man, that he who is not called thinks he can follow Jesus whithersoever He goes. These three steps demonstrate again the truth of verse 14 in this chapter. We must "go and tell him his fault BETWEEN you and him alone." Now, we are talking here about a sinning brother. I'm curious about the phrase "tell it to the church." My question is this. In work of this kind we must travail in birth again (Galatians 4:19); and it is after many pains and throes that the child is born. What Does It Mean That There Is No One Holy Like God? What an eye opener to me and family! Then if he or she won't accept the church's decision, treat that person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector. He is not here sought as by the leper, the centurion, the friends of the palsied man; He Himself calls Matthew, a publican just the one to write the gospel of the despised Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus proceeded to explain what a humble disciple should do when a brother or sister disciple has wandered from the Shepherd and the sheep. At its widest what Jesus was saying was, "If anyone sins against you, spare no effort to make that man admit his fault, and to get things right again between you and him." Thus it is easy to see, that the reason for here putting together the leper and the centurion lies in the Lord's dealing with the Jew, on the one hand, and, on the other hand, in His deep grace working in the Gentile's heart, and forming his faith, as well as answering it, according to His own heart. it was not for the whole the Physician was needed. They were the great congregation and church, in the midst of which Christ sung praise to his Father: and since the whole of this advice, and these excellent rules are given to them, and they are spoken of in the next verse, as having the power of binding and loosing, they may well be thought to be meant here; and that the design of Christ is, to The first is the defence of the disciples, grounded on analogies taken from that which had the sanction of God of old, as well as on His own glory now. In the end of the chapter is set forth parabolically the unlimited forgiveness that suits the kingdom; here, I cannot but think, looking onward in strict fulness to the future, but with distinct application to the moral need of the disciples then and always. God is not content to wait until men come home; he goes out to search for them no matter what it costs him. After this, dismissing the multitudes, He retires alone, to pray, on a mountain, as the disciples toil over the storm-tossed lake, the wind being contrary. THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL If the person still refuses to listen, take your case to the church. This parable teaches certain lessons which Jesus never tired of teaching. Of what phrase is this reminiscent? Thus it was not merely that there was an evil heart of unbelief in the Jew particularly, but law and grace cannot be yoked together. Speech is articulated thought. This, then, I apprehend to be the reason why we End two demoniacs mentioned; whereas, in Mark or Luke for other purposes, the Spirit of God only draws attention to one of the two. Matthew 18:15-17 contains the words of Christ to his church, instructing us on how to deal with internal conflict with a brother or sister who sins against us and doesn't know it. What Does it Mean 'Whatever You Bind on Earth'? (Matthew 18:18) By clicking Accept all cookies, you agree Stack Exchange can store cookies on your device and disclose information in accordance with our Cookie Policy. A king forgave a servant a huge debt, but the servant then refused to forgive a fellow servant a small debt (Matthew 18:23-30). Pornography and Church Discipline | Desiring God And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receives me ( Matthew 18:5 ). There are many lovely characteristics in a child--the power to wonder, before he has become deadeningly used to the wonder of the world; the power to forgive and to forget, even when adults and parents treat him unjustly as they so often do; the innocence, which, as Richard Glover beautifully says, brings it about that the child has only to learn, not to unlearn; only to do, not to undo. He takes accordingly the title of the "Son of man" for the first time in this gospel. When he began to make a reckoning one debtor was brought to him who owed him 2,400,000 British pounds. To heal was the work for which He was come. Accordingly, notice that, in the manner in which the Holy Ghost introduces it, there is no statement of time whatever. There must be the mouth to praise the Lord, and speak of the glorious honour of His majesty, as well as eyes to wait on Him. In Luke 17:3-4 Jesus is teaching the disciples about forgiveness and says: Be on your guard! This passage presents us with a whole scheme of action for the mending of broken relationships within the Christian fellowship. (ii) There is the child's dependence. You say, "Well, explain it to us." In Judaea it was tragically easy for sheep to go astray. Who could touch the leper save Emmanuel? After this (what makes it still more unquestionable) comes the case of the demoniac. This will spare that person any humiliation or embarrassment when it comes to someone pointing out their sin. I do not pretend to say this was the only purpose served; far be it from me to think of restraining the Spirit of God within the narrow bounds of our vision. Then, after the parable of the mustard seed (ver. Why Did Jesus Say, "On This Rock I Will Build My Church"? (Matthew 16) Where is the Church? | Matthew 18:20 | RayStedman.org Does this passage apply to how Christians and churches should handle public sins, including moral trespasses and false teaching? The Parables of Christ Their Uniqueness and Interpretation, Marriage Rx Medicine for the Common Marriage, Jesus Through Eastern Eyes Archived Video Is Available, Understanding the Prophetic Mind, Temperament, and Calling Seminar, Life in the New Covenant Video Series Episode One, The Lords Prayer #4 The Life and Love of Father, The Lords Prayer Part 3 Thankfulness, The Lords Prayer Part 1 Introduction, The Lords Prayer Part 2 Jesus Our Rabbi, Vision Casting in Christian Leadership. I think that the most heinous sin anyone can commit is to seek to destroy the faith of a child in God. Matthew opens his Gospel by summarising the Old Testament story in terms of Jesus' ancestry (vv.1-17). The Book of Baruch says that "there will be no opportunity of returning, nor a limit to the times." Styling contours by colour and by line thickness in QGIS. J. Salza: Paul, thanks for your kind words. "A religious person indeed, that becomes a collector of taxes, they first said, is to be driven from the society; but they afterwards said, all the time that he is a tax gatherer, they drive him from the society; but when he goes out of his office, lo! 79. The main point is: The church must practice biblical church discipline toward professing Christians who persist in known sin. It was necessary to complete the picture. (v) It is now we come to the difficult part. the sight of the Lord your God, by transgressing His covenant, and What could be said of her intelligence then? The fellow-servant fell down and besought him, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you in full.' Accordingly, here we have, first, the Lord judging the wrong thoughts of "Scribes and Pharisees which were of Jerusalem." It is always to be given with the desire for reconciliation and never with the desire for vengeance. Did Jesus use the word synagogue or church in Matthew 16:18? thoroughly. Whereas, on the contrary, there are other kinds of order that call for more profound thought and enlarged views, if we may speak now after the manner of men; and, indeed, I deny not that these the Holy Ghost employed in His own wisdom, though it is hardly needful to say He could, if He pleased, demonstrate His superiority to any means or qualifications whatsoever. The Jews themselves had a saying, "Where two sit and are occupied with the study of the Law, the glory of God is among them." It was really after the transfiguration recorded in chapter 17 of our gospel. And if they are truly honest with themselves, they know there is no other recourse than joining the Catholic Church. If the bonds of fellowship and friendship are strong, then an erring member will more naturally want to return to the fold. Since Jesus uses Church only one other time (in Matt 16:18), it is obvious that this Church must mean the one He built upon St. Peter. In immediate juxtaposition to this stands the Gentile centurion, who seeks healing for his servant. Simply because we are human beings, with human hearts and fears and hopes and desires, most of our prayers are prayers for escape. 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. This was a, In todays context, in our own various models of. 17: 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. (Mt 16:18-20 [NET]). , Synagoga Judaica, de Judaeorum fide, ritibus, ceremoniis, tam publicis et sacris quam privatis, Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers. But if he neglect to hear the church, let him be - The Jews gave the name heathen or Gentile to all other nations but themselves. What does Matthew 18:19-20 really mean? He might respond, "The church was never concerned about me before. Make sure the person has been confronted by all the members of the elders before taking it to the next level. let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican: To illustrate His point regarding unrepentant sin, Jesus uses two classes of people who are particularly despised in His day. I forgive you, but I won't forget. What do you think? Those of the church that are presumed to be most capable of determining such matters; and he speaks ironically, when he says (Matthew 18:4; Matthew 18:4), "Set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church; those, if there be no better, those, rather than suffer an irreconcileable breach between two church members." This came out most blessedly through the disciples. Note, Christ has been pleased to put an honour upon, and to allow a special efficacy in, the joint-prayers of the faithful, and the common supplications they make to God. . There will be differences at the close. St. Paul speaks in the person of Christ, when he saith, To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also,2 Corinthians 2:10.
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