Matthew 18:15-17 "If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault..."

“If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have regained that one. But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If the member refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if the offender refuses to listen even to the church, let such a one be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector” (Matthew 18:15-17).

Comment:

The Gospel of Matthew is the only one that has Jesus using the word “church” (ekklesia in Greek) at any time. It’s highly likely that the use of the term—and the rules for dealing with disagreements in the church—arose out of events in the time of the writer, not in the time of Jesus. Further, it’s difficult to imagine Jesus being so judgmental against Gentiles and tax collectors, since one of the things he was accused of by the Pharisees was including tax collectors and Gentiles among his followers. Still, the process described is useful in terms of maintaining our own spiritual priorities in the face of resistance, whether from other people or from our own inner doubts and fears. It’s a process that can be followed and maintained in an energy of love, holding firmly to what we know to be true without attacking or condemning others. If there is unmovable resistance, we do not attack it, nor do we surrender to it. We simply hold to our truth and continue to lovingly move forward.

Blessings!

Rev. Ed