Mat 18:15-18 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Matt 18:15-35: 18:15-35 The believing community must not be fractured into rival parties and unreconciled relationships. Its members are to pursue reconciliation (18:15-20 ) and forgive willingly (18:21-35 ). At times, however, stern discipline may be necessary (18:17 ). Summary for Matt 18:15-20: 18:15-20 Restoration begins privately and should be made public only as a last resort. 18:15 If another believer sins , love requires us to go privately and point out the offense (Lev 19:17 ; Luke 17:3 ; Gal 6:1 ; 1 Tim 5:20 ; Titus 3:10 ).

Summary for Matt 18:15-35: 18:15-35 ^a The believing community must not be fractured into rival parties and unreconciled relationships. Its members are to pursue reconciliation (18:15-20 ^b) and forgive willingly (18:21-35 ^c). At times, however, stern discipline may be necessary (18:17 ^d).
Summary for Matt 18:15-20: 18:15-20 ^e Restoration begins privately and should be made public only as a last resort. 18:15 ^f If another believer sins, love requires us to go privately and point out the offense (Lev 19:17 ^g; Luke 17:3 ^h; Gal 6:1 ⁱ; 1 Tim 5:20 ^j; Titus 3:10 ^k).
18:16 ^l By requiring the presence of one or two others, Jesus prevented slanderous, unsubstantiated accusations from being presented to the congregation (see John 8:17 ^m; 2 Cor 13:1 ⁿ; 1 Tim 5:19 ^o; Heb 10:28 ^p).
18:17 ^q The church is the local Christian community.

• The unrepentant person is to be considered a pagan or a corrupt tax collector, a wicked transgressor of the law. Church discipline by exclusion (excommunication; see Acts 5:1-6 ^r; Rom 16:17 ^s; 1 Cor 5:1-13 ^t; 2 Cor 6:14-18 ^u; Gal 5:7-12 ^v; 2 Thes 3:14-15 ^w) is rooted in the conviction that God’s people are to be holy and that sin corrupts fellowship, both between people and between the people and God. The goal is neither vindictive retribution nor a public display of power, but restoration of the wayward to holiness and fellowship (Matt 18:10-15 ^x; Gal 6:1 ^y; Jas 5:19-20 ^z).
Summary for Matt 18:18-20: 18:18-20 ^aa These sayings provide the basis for a process of discipline and restoration in the community of disciples. 18:18 ^ab forbid ... permit: The privilege and authority granted to Peter (16:19 ^ac) are here granted to the church (or possibly to the twelve apostles, 18:1 ^ad). The decisions of the community, when in accord with God’s will, are eternally binding.