Matthew 18:17-20
18:17 a 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 b; Rom 16:17 c; 1 Cor 5:1-13 d; 2 Cor 6:14-18 e; Gal 5:7-12 f; 2 Thes 3:14-15 g) 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 h; Gal 6:1 i; Jas 5:19-20 j).
Summary for Matt 18:18-20: 18:18-20 k These sayings provide the basis for a process of discipline and restoration in the community of disciples. 18:18 l forbid ... permit: The privilege and authority granted to Peter (16:19 m) are here granted to the church (or possibly to the twelve apostles, 18:1 n). The decisions of the community, when in accord with God’s will, are eternally binding.
18:19 o anything you ask: In the context of church discipline (18:15-17 p), this suggests that discipline must be done in prayer.
18:20 q Christ is present in the process of discipline, so the process is a ratification of God’s decision.
Copyright information for
TNotes