Verse 15
By using the term "brother" Jesus encouraged a humble approach. The disciples should deal with each other as brothers rather than as superiors and inferiors (cf. 1 Timothy 5:1-2). Contextually the sin in view is probably despising a brother or sister. However, Jesus did not specify what it was, but He implied that it was any sin that takes the disciple away from the Shepherd. Jesus commanded His disciples to go to such a person and reprove him in private. The disciple must take the initiative and confront (cf. Galatians 6:1).
". . . if it is hard to accept a rebuke, even a private one, it is harder still to administer one in loving humility." [Note: Carson, "Matthew," p. 402.]
"The possession of humility is proven not by passively waiting for one to beg forgiveness and then granting it. Rather, it is manifested by actively seeking out the erring brother and attempting to make him penitent." [Note: Toussaint, Behold the . . ., p. 217.]
The verb "reprove" or "show him his fault" (Gr. elencho) means "to convict" in the sense of producing an awareness of guilt, not in the sense of lording it over someone (cf. 1 Corinthians 9:19-22; 1 Peter 3:1). The objective should be the erring brother or sister’s restoration, not the initiator’s glorification (cf. Luke 17:3-4; 2 Thessalonians 3:14-15; James 5:19-20). This approach was one that the Mosaic Law had taught too (Leviticus 19:17), and that the Rabbis also supported. [Note: Edersheim, The Life . . ., 2:123.] .
"Sin, of whatever form, is not to be tolerated within the disciple community, but is to be dealt with when it is noticed. But this is to be done with sensitivity and with a minimum of publicity." [Note: France, The Gospel . . ., p. 692.]
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