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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Matthew 18:15-20

Christ, having cautioned his disciples not to give offence, comes next to direct them what they must do in case of offences given them; which may be understood either of personal injuries, and then these directions are intended for the preserving of the peace of the church; or of public scandals, and then they are intended for the preserving of the purity and beauty of the church. Let us consider it both ways. I. Let us apply it to the quarrels that happen, upon any account, among Christians.... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Matthew 18:1-35

Matthew 18:1-35 is a most important chapter for Christian Ethics, because it deals with those qualities which should characterize the personal relationships of the Christian. We shall be dealing in detail with these relationships as we study the chapter section by section; but before we do so, it will be well to look at the chapter as a whole. It singles out seven qualities which should mark the personal relationships of the Christian. (i) First and foremost, there is the quality of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 18:17

And if he shall neglect to hear them ,.... The one or two, in conjunction with the offended person that shall hear the ease, and admonish and reprove; if he takes no notice of what they say to him, but remains stiff and impenitent, tell it unto the church: which some understand, of the רבים , or "multitude", before whom it was lawful to reprove, after such private methods had been taken: others, the political magistrates, or sanhedrim; who took cognizance of cases between one person and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 18:17

3. Tell it unto the Church - Lay the whole matter before the congregation of Christian believers, in that place of which he is a member, or before the minister and elders, as the representatives of the Church or assembly. If all this avail not, then, Let him be unto thee as a heathen man and a publican - To whom thou art, as a Christian, to owe earnest and persevering good will, and acts of kindness; but have no religious communion with him, till, if he have been convicted, he... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 18:1-35

Discourse concerning the greatest in the kingdom of heaven, and the mutual duties of Christians . ( Mark 9:33-50 ; Luke 9:46-50 .) read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 18:15-18

The offending brother. The wise advice which our Lord here gives is rarely followed, and yet it is not at all impracticable, and if obeyed it would prevent an immense amount of distress and ill feeling. Let us consider, first the general principles of his advice, and then its special details. I. GENERAL PRINCIPLES . 1 . The fact of the brother ' s offence is admitted . This is very important. Too often men quarrel and accuse one another without justly apportioning the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 18:15-20

The method of dealing with offences. I. THE DUTY OF PRIVATE CHRISTIANS . 1 . Secret admonition . The Lord had warned the apostles that offences must come; he had urged the necessity of exceeding carefulness against giving offence to others; now he tells us how to act when others put a stumbling block in our way by their trespasses. Go and tell thy brother his fault, he says; speak to him secretly, do not publish his transgression, do not make a talk of it; charity... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 18:15-20

Christian judgment. From dealing with the offended, our Lord here passes on to the offending, and he shows us how we should deal with a guilty brother, for our own sake, for his sake, for the sake of the Church, and ultimately for the sake of the world. Christian judgment should be faithful, loving, spiritual. I. FAITHFUL . 1 . The Christian will tell his brother his fault . 2 . He will tell it him before witnesses . 3 . He will tell it to the Church . This when... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 18:17

Tell it unto the Church ( τῇ ἐκκλησι ì ᾳ ). This is the third step to take. Our Lord is contemplating a visible society, possessed of certain powers of discipline and correction, such as we find in the history of the apostolic Church (see 1 Corinthians 5:1 , etc.; 1 Corinthians 6:1 , etc.; 1 Timothy 1:20 ). Christ had already spoken of his Ecclesia in his commendation of Peter's great confession ( Matthew 16:18 ); so the twelve were prepared for this use of the word,... read more

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