Matthew 18:15-20 15If your brother sins against you, go and correct him only between you and him. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. 16But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, so that “every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses.” 17If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.
I idea of sin continues but with a different topic and different word. He gives a possible scenario (using conditional sentences) about the relationships between Christians (the brother). The verb form of the word “sin” (hamartanō) is rare in Matthew, occurring in verse 15 and 21 and later in 27:4. This important biblical word basically means doing a wrong against a law, deviating from the expected norm, or transgressing the law of God. Sinning against one another is more than having a different opinion but gets deeper into breaking the law of love. Differences in opinion can lead to sin but having a different idea from another person is not a sin. There is a question in the manuscript tradition whether the words “against you” are part of the original. Peter’s response in verse 21 suggest that these words should be included and that the sin is against another believer. We usually think of sinning against God, but often when we sin against God, we are hurting other people. Sin is basically a violation of the law of love.
Jesus puts the initiative to solve the situation in the hands of the one who has been wronged by giving two quick commands: go and correct. Correct (elegxon) means to examine closely so as to show someone his or her wrongdoing. The other person may not always realize his or her wrong and so needs to be aware of it. The person who has been wronged serves as the conscience of the person who has committed the sin. The natural reaction to being hurt by another person is to lash out in revenge or criticism, both outside verbal assault or gossip and internal bitterness and anger.
Jesus gives two scenarios about how the other person may respond to our correction. The first is a positive response of listening, which assumes that the person has realized his or her sin. The result will be the restoration of relationship. The second scenario is when the person refuses to listen. Sin always breaks down relationships between people. If sin is not addressed quickly and lovingly, it will fester and grow until it leads to division between people and eventually in the whole church. Jesus quotes from Deuteronomy 19:15 about the importance of having a witness to establish the truth of a situation. No one should be convicted based on the testimony of one person. A small group will also create more social pressure and potential shame to cause the person to change his or her ways.
The pressure increases if the matter has to be brought before the whole church. If the person refuses even the whole group, then that person should be treated as an outsider because he or she is acting like an outsider. If a person wants to remain in sin, that person is basically cutting him or herself off from the fellowship where the restoration can take place. There is a time when relationships should be broken, but as far as is possible from our perspective, we must do all we can to be reconciled to our brothers and sisters.
We are responsible for one another and are accountable to one another. It takes humility and courage to confront another person about his or her sin. It also takes humility to accept reproof and correction from others. What Jesus says here is how believers ought to interact with one another. The positive action Jesus is advocating here can be done if we love God and one another unconditionally. The deeper the wound, the more difficult the confrontation will be and the more love and forgiveness will be required.
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