Mat 18:15-35 | 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.
18:19 ^ae anything you ask: In the context of church discipline (18:15-17 ^af), this suggests that discipline must be done in prayer.
18:20 ^ag Christ is present in the process of discipline, so the process is a ratification of God’s decision.
Summary for Matt 18:21-35: 18:21-35 ^ah Peter’s suggestion of seven times was generous, so Jesus’ answer was startling. The disciple’s willingness to forgive should be like God’s forgiving grace, limitless and free (see 18:10-14 ^ai). Those who do not forgive in this way cannot themselves have experienced God’s forgiveness (18:35 ^aj; see 6:12 ^ak).
18:22 ^al seventy times seven: Or seventy-seven times; either way, Jesus prescribes limitless readiness to forgive from the heart (18:35 ^am; cp. Gen 4:23-24 ^an).
18:24 ^ao millions of dollars (Greek 10,000 talents): The talent was the highest unit of currency, but its value fluctuated. The debt was clearly impossible to pay—this amount exceeded the tax revenue of all Galilee.
18:26 ^ap I will pay it all: The exaggerated debt and the slave’s promise amplify the greatness of the king’s mercy and the slave’s unforgiving attitude (18:29-30 ^aq).
18:28 ^ar a few thousand dollars: The first servant’s debt was about one million times greater than this sum owed to him.
18:34 ^as This is how God responds (18:35 ^at) to anyone unwilling to forgive.

• until he had paid his entire debt: I.e., permanently, because he could never repay.
18:35 ^au That’s what my heavenly Father will do to you: Prison and torture (18:34 ^av) is thus a metaphor for hell (see 5:22 ^aw).