For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them. —Matthew 18:20
What we think: God’s presence in a
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
What it actually means: God’s presence in
“[Jesus] is talking about invoking God’s authority in the execution of church discipline. Christ pledges that the decisions of believers arrived at through a process of arbitration are the decisions of God.” —David Christensen, The Rephidim Project “Misusing Matthew 18:18-20”
Bind and Loose
I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. —Matthew 16:19
Terms from Jewish legal system
bind - forbid or prohibit; ban or excommunicate
loose - permit or forgive; restore to community
“Agree” in Mt 18:19 - συμφωνέω (symphōneō): “To be a match”
He also told them a parable: “No one tears a piece from a new garment and puts it on an old garment. If he does, he will tear the new, and the piece from the new will not match the old.” —Luke 5:36
A single witness shall not suffice against a person for any crime or for any wrong in connection with any offense that he has committed. Only on the evidence of two witnesses or of three witnesses shall a charge be established. —Deuteronomy 19:15
We can’t be
The root word of discipline is “disciple” - from the Latin word discipulus meaning “student”
“discipline” from the Latin word disciplina, meaning “education and training”
To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.” —John 8:31 (NIV)
And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” —Matthew 4:19
A disciple of Jesus is someone who is
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” —Matthew 5:17
“…the OT’s real and abiding authority must be understood through the person and teaching of him to whom it points and who so richly fulfills it.” —Expositor’s Bible Commentary
“Discipline” as Found in the Bible
מוּסָר (mûsār) - correction to impart morals
σωφρονισμός (sōphronismos) - sound judgment, act sensibly
παιδεύω (paideuō) - teach, instruct, train
ἐγκρατής (egkratēs) - mastering, strong, restraint
10 “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven. 12 What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? 13 And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. 14 So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish. —Matthew 18:10-14
“Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.” —Galatians 6:1
19 My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, 20 let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins. —James 5:19-20
Our primary goal should be
21 Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” 22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.
23 “Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. 24 When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. 25 And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26 So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ 27 And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. 28 But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’ 29 So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ 30 He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. 31 When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. 32 Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33 And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ 34 And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. 35 So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.” —Matthew 18:21-35
9 But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. 10 As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, 11 knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned. —Titus 3:9-11
Takeaway: God