15 " If your brother sins , go and show him his fault in private ; if he listens to you, you have won your brother . 16 "But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that BY THE MOUTH OF TWO OR THREE WITNESSES EVERY FACT MAY BE CONFIRMED . 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 e you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven ; and whatever e you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven . 19 "Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything e that they may ask , it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven . 20 "For where two or three have gathered together in My name , I am there in their midst ."
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Matthew 18:15-20
Commentary on Matthew 18:15-20
(Read Matthew 18:15-20)
If a professed Christian is wronged by another, he ought not to complain of it to others, as is often done merely upon report, but to go to the offender privately, state the matter kindly, and show him his conduct. This would generally have all the desired effect with a true Christian, and the parties would be reconciled. The principles of these rules may be practised every where, and under all circumstances, though they are too much neglected by all. But how few try the method which Christ has expressly enjoined to all his disciples! In all our proceedings we should seek direction in prayer; we cannot too highly prize the promises of God. Wherever and whenever we meet in the name of Christ, we should consider him as present in the midst of us.