Matthew 18:15-20: Gaining Back a Brother

 “If he has listens to you, you have gained a brother.” Jesus in Matthew 18:15

“It is no exaggeration to say that this [Matthew chapter 18] is the single greatest discourse our Lord ever gave on life among the redeemed people in His church. Sadly, because it has been largely misinterpreted, its profound riches often have been lost.”  John MacArthur, The MacArthur New Testament Commentary, Matthew 16-23)  

“You shall not hate your brother in your heart, but you shall reason frankly with your neighbor, lest you incur sin because of him.  You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.” (Leviticus 19:17-18)

Our Lord is passionate about his followers; his church was “obtained by his own blood,” (Acts 20:28).  He expects us to not despise any within his church (v. 10). But life is messy.  Even in his church, we hurt others and sin against one another.   Our Lord, fully aware of this, gives us steps for correction if your brother sins against you (v. 15).    

It must be emphasized that the goal is forgiveness and restoration. Our Lord pursues and brings back the lost sheep; he doesn’t shoot his wounded or let the enemy steal them away.   However, there is great danger when confronting a brother.  Part of it appeals to our fleshly desires for pride, gossip and even retribution.   That is why Paul in his letter to the Galatians gave these instructions: “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness.  Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted,” (Galatians 6:1-2).

Our first step is to go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone.  If he listens to you, you have gained a brother (v. 15).   I have been confronted several times because, honestly, I tend to talk before I think.  And I have the utmost respect for those several men who have come to talk to me in private about this.    They have earned my trust and, I hope, my repentance.  I would be disappointed to learn that I had sinned yet no one talked to me about it. 

Jesus continued, “But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses.   If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church,” (vv. 16-17a).   Notice the three-step progression before any hint of discipline or punishment is required.  Every attempt is made at reconciliation, not expulsion. But some hearts remain hard, even after being confronted as instructed in God’s Word.

Therefore if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector (v. 17b).   A sinning brother is like “a little leaven (which) leavens the whole lump,” (Galatians 5:9). And a brother who unrepentantly abuses his freedom in Christ, will cause others to stumble and should be treated as an outsider by the church. 

Church discipline is a difficult but necessary task.   But our Lord has equipped us to do the job.  The same promise he gave to Peter in 16:19, he then gave to his church: “Truly I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven,” (v. 18).   As the body of believers acts in a “spirit of gentleness” (Galatians 6:1), they will also act with the full authority of the heavenly Godhead behind them. 

Likewise, Jesus added, “Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.  For where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am among them,” (vv. 19-20).    Unfortunately these two verses are frequently misused (albeit innocently) by some Christians who apply these verses as some sort of magic formula that manipulates God into giving you whatever you want.  But if accurately examined, these verses continue the themes of two promises: 1) the authority to act and 2) God is always with us.  This second promise runs throughout Matthew’s gospel from 1:23 (“God is with us”) to 28:20 (“I am with you always to the end of the age.”)

Wolves in sheep’s clothing will infiltrate the church (see Acts 20:28-30). Today where Christianity is growing rapidly, like the global south, Africa, and China, this problem is especially acute.    Most pastors have little theological training and their flocks are easily preyed upon by “ravenous wolves” disguised “in sheep’s clothing” (7:15).    And the Christian west, even though rich in resources and training, unfortunately is not immune to these ravenous wolves.  Within our churches we must continually examine ourselves, our teaching and our flocks.  For Jesus is protective of his little ones.