15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. 16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. 17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. (Matthew 18:15-17 KJV)
William Burkitt’s Commentary
In these words our Saviour gives us an excellent rule for the duty of fraternal correction, or brotherly admonition.
Where note, 1. That brotherly reproof and admonition is a duty incumbent upon church members.
2. That it may be administered successfully, it must must be administered privately and prudently.
3. When private admonition prevails not, Christ has appointed church-governors, to execute church-censures on the obstinate and irreclaimable.
4. Persons justly falling under the censures of the church, and rightly excommunicated, are to be looked upon as obstinate and contumacious offenders, and the members of the church to shun society and conversation with them: If he neglect to hear the Church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man, and as a publican was among Jews; wholly neglected, and not thought fit to be conversed with.
Thomas Haweis
Verses 15-20: As we must be careful not to give offence: as careful should we be to show all Christian tenderness and charity when we are justly offended. Since in this frail and corrupted state even good men are but men, and liable to fall, transgressing the precepts of prudence, justice, or charity; we are therefore here directed in such cases how to behave towards them.
1. If a brother, a professing member of our most holy faith, act unsuitable thereunto, and do us an injury, or give us cause of complaint against him, we must first give him a private and kind admonition of his fault, and mildly argue the case, desiring to bring him to repentance and amendment; more solicitous for his good than the redress of our own wrongs. We may not in this case, through fear of offending on the one hand, be silent and suffer sin upon our brother without rebuke; nor, on the other, give way to rash anger, or revenge, and by a public reproof expose him to others, which however true the charge, would serve not to recover but exasperate him the more. In this way of mild and secret admonition we may hope for success; and if he express his sorrow, and desire reconciliation, then the rebuke will be esteemed a kindness, the friendship more strongly cemented, our brother recovered, and the offence forgiven and forgotten.
2. If this method of reproof prove abortive, and he is obstinate against conviction, and displeased instead of humbling himself, then take two or three faithful, impartial Christian brethren, and in their presence let the matter be discussed that they may hear and judge, and add their weight to bring the party offending to due submission and reparation of the injury. Or, if their sentiments be disregarded also, they will be evidences before the church of the steps which have been taken, and ready to confirm the truth of the just accusation of the injured person.
3. If every other method prove ineffectual, then the matter should be laid before the church, the society of faithful people among whom such a one associates, that he may have a public admonition for his offence, and be called upon to repent and amend of the evil he hath done.
4. If he still remains incorrigible, and persists in his iniquity, then he is to be excluded from the communion of the faithful, and no more connection and familiarity is to be maintained with him; for the charity which teaches us to forgive our enemies, forbids us not to be on our guard against those who have used us ill and refuse to repair the injury. From the whole we may learn, (1.) Under every injury received, to guard our own hearts against passion or revenge; this wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. (2.) Never to speak of another’s faults behind his back, till we have in love and the spirit of meekness first admonished him to his face. (3.) To be ready under every provocation to forgive and forget, the moment real repentance appears in our brother. (4.) Not to endeavour to form a party in our favour; but, in cases of offence, real or supposed, where the sentiments of brethren may differ about the facts, to let some common impartial friends hear and judge, before the matter be mentioned in public or but whispered to others.
5. Christ delegates authority to his church thus to censure offenders, and ratifies the sentence that shall be pronounced in correspondence with this his revealed word; so that those who for their notorious evils are excluded from the society of the faithful now, shall be written among the reprobate, and for ever banished from the presence of God, unless they repent of their transgressions, and then they are again to be received into the bosom of the church, and all that is part to be entirely forgiven. The absolution pronounced on them by the ministers of God on earth, shall be ratified in heaven, and, the correction having become effectual, the broken-hearted penitent is to be comforted, and restored to his former place both in the church of God, and in our brotherly affection and regard.
6. For their encouragement in every religious concern, and especially with regard to the recovery of those who are fallen into sin, that they may be resorted, our Lord declares the mighty efficacy of united prayer. Whatever, according to the divine will, two or three faithful souls shall meet together with joint supplications to beg at God’s hands, he will assuredly hear and grant their requests. For wherever the smallest number of real believers assemble in Christ’s name, depending on his promises, and desiring above all things the advancement of his glory, there will he ever be, quickening their prayers, strengthening their faith, enlivening their hopes, and comforting their hearts; and when he is one of the company, their supplications must be effectual; for him the Father heareth always; and what an encouragement is this to social prayer!