15 “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. 16 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. 17 If 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. 18 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. 19 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. 20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” (Matthew 18:15–20 (ESV)
What comprises a true church belong to Jesus Christ? In other words, what is a biblical church? The following characteristics of a biblical church are taken from the New Testament.
First, a true, biblical church preaches the Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16–17; 2 Timothy 4:1–5). Second, a true biblical church observes the ordinances of believer’s baptism and the Lord’s Supper (Matthew 28:19–20; Acts 2:38–40; 1 Corinthians 11:23–26). Thirdly, as attested by today’s text, a true, biblical church observes church discipline (1 Corinthians 5:1–8; Galatians 6:1-2; 1 Timothy 1:18–20).
What is a believer in Christ to do when another believer sins against them? In some instances, it is wise to ignore the sin. Proverbs 19:11 (ESV) says, “Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.”
Matthew 18:15 states that if a brother in Christ sins against you, go and privately tell him his fault. A sin (ἁμαρτάνω; harmartano) means a violation of God’s Law. To go and tell the individual their fault (ἐλέγχω; elencho) means to expose, reprove and correct.
“The prescription for church discipline in vv. 15–17 must be read in light of the parable of the lost sheep in vv. 12–14. The goal of this process is restoration. If successful, “you have gained your brother.” Step one is to “tell him his fault” privately,” states Dr. John MacArthur.
However, what happens when a fellow believer in Christ refuses to listen to you when you tell them their fault or sin against you? What happens next? Do you forget the whole thing and go on your merry way? Today’s text instructs the faithful believer the next step to take when facing such a situation.
Matthew 18:16 says, “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 a one-on-one meeting does not result in repentance by the sinful individual, the grieved individual may take a second step. The text instructs that taking two others along for a second meeting ensures that every fault is verified. This eliminates any misunderstanding or confusion.
“Generally speaking, discipline proceeds from the private to the public. The believer who is sinned against by another professing believer must first engage the offender one on one and seek that person’s repentance. This is for the good of the church, as it prevents news of the sin from spreading beyond the people involved and becoming kindling for the fire of gossip. If the person repents, no further action is necessary,” explains Dr. R.C. Sproul.
What happens if the sinning brother still refuses to repent of their sin? The next biblical step in the church discipline process is for the matter to be brought before the church.
Matthew 18:17 says, “If 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.”
No timetable is given as to how long a time lapse exists between steps two and three in church discipline. Grace should be extended at all times and if possible. If the fellow believer continues in unrepentance, then the church is to regard the individual as unconverted. Their behavior belies any testimony of saving faith. They have a dead faith (James 2:14-26).
“But if private admonition does not work, the offender is to be taken before other witnesses and finally the whole church, which must excommunicate sinners who persist in impenitence,” states Dr. Sproul.
“Church discipline is not merely to punish the offender, or to shun him completely, but to remove him as a detrimental influence from the fellowship of the church, and then to regard him as an evangelistic prospect rather than as a brother,” states Dr. MacArthur. “The church does not discipline its members to shame them but to call them to repentance and perseverance.”
Soli deo Gloria!
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