Mat 18:10-15 | TNotes | STEP | 18:10 Don’t look down on them, either by refusing to receive them (18:5-6 ) or by refusing to give pastoral care when needed (18:12-14 ; see 19:13-15 ). • their angels: See 4:5-7 ; Heb 1:14 .

18:10 ^a Don’t look down on them, either by refusing to receive them (18:5-6 ^b) or by refusing to give pastoral care when needed (18:12-14 ^c; see 19:13-15 ^d).

• their angels: See 4:5-7 ^e; Heb 1:14 ^f.
18:12 ^g Just as a shepherd will work to recover a lost sheep, the “little ones” (18:6 ^h) must not be despised or neglected.
18:14 ⁱ The shepherd’s joy is also the joy of the Father; the purpose of pastoral care is so God will not lose any of his sheep.
Summary for Matt 18:15-35: 18:15-35 ^j The believing community must not be fractured into rival parties and unreconciled relationships. Its members are to pursue reconciliation (18:15-20 ^k) and forgive willingly (18:21-35 ^l). At times, however, stern discipline may be necessary (18:17 ^m).
Summary for Matt 18:15-20: 18:15-20 ⁿ Restoration begins privately and should be made public only as a last resort. 18:15 ^o If another believer sins, love requires us to go privately and point out the offense (Lev 19:17 ^p; Luke 17:3 ^q; Gal 6:1 ^r; 1 Tim 5:20 ^s; Titus 3:10 ^t).