A Close Look at Matthew 18:15-17    
 

by Edward O. Bragwell, Sr.

 

"Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. "But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that 'by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.' "And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector. (Matthew 18:15-17 NKJV) This passage is second only to Matthew 7:1 (“Judge not”) in popularity among the replies given by those who have been called out for their sins and their sympathizers. It is especially invoked when one publicly sins in word or deed and is immediately or shortly publicly rebuked for his transgression. The one rebuked and his sympathizers often throw this passage back at the one doing the public rebuking. “You are also guilty because you did not first come to me, or go to him privately, like the Bible says.” These verses are not the pattern for dealing with sin publicly committed. It is the pattern for dealing with private sin known only to the offender and offended. It has two objectives: to gain a brother and to keep private sins as private as possible. Notice the progression from being known by two individuals (the offender and the offended alone). If it is resolved at this level it need not be known by anyone else. If not resolved by the two alone, then it is made known to two or three more called upon to help resolve it. If this fails, then it is made public by telling it to the church. Then if the church cannot persuade the offender to correct it, then he is to be treated as a “heathen and tax collector” (the same as withdrawing and having no company with as in 2 Thess. 3). In this scenario, the sin began privately between only two people and then progresses to public knowledge only if private efforts to gain the offender’s repentance is not accomplished. Insisting on invoking this pattern to be applied to sin already public knowledge reduces the first two steps to mere formalities to say nothing of being unnecessary. When sin is publically committed it is already past the first two steps of our text. It is being publicly made known as it is being committed. It is known by the church. Just one other observation about this passage. There is an idea that renders this passage totally unnecessary. If the offending party in a sin is to be unconditionally granted forgiveness by the offended party even before he repents then it makes this whole instruction unnecessary. If this be the case, then the instruction of these verses could be greatly reduced. It would read, “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and put your arm around him and tell him that you love him and FORGIVE him.” Then one could go on his way feeling great that he has a forgiving spirit – while leaving the offender still guilty of his fault.   .  Other Articles by Edward O. Bragwell, Sr. A Convenient Doctrine Cutting Wood and Restoring N. T. Christianity About Christians Feeling Unworthy and Undone Holding a Church Hostage What Can God do? Undercover Agents for Christ Reformation or Transformation? Be Careful With the Blame Game Is Unrestricted Loyalty a Virtue? A New Dogma How to Raise a Heartache The Right Baptism Standing Alone       For Past Auburn Beacons go to: www.aubeacon.com/Bulletins.htm   Anyone can join the mailing list for the Auburn Beacon! Send your request to: larryrouse@aubeacon.com