Private Sin
Matthew 18:15-20 provides the foundation for dealing with private sin. Approaching public sin is a different story for a different day. With this passage, Jesus provides a very distinct approach for dealing with an individual’s sin against another. Sadly, though these passages are frequently declared by Christians in and out of the pulpit, rarely are they followed correctly. In fact, it can be safely said many do not even understand the entire passage properly.
To begin, Jesus has been discussing the value of all men within the Kingdom of Heaven. Down to the smallest and least prominent there is value. The spiritual value of men is far more important than what the physical offers. Indeed, the importance of one single soul is worth our complete focus. Thus, when the conversation comes to the discussion in verse 15, even when the individual has been sinned against by another, he is to seek out the transgressor to resolve the situation. The hope is the transgressor will listen and repent. His soul is precious!
Of course, when tasked with the objective of restoring a soul from private sin, success is not always achieved alone. Thus, Jesus encourages the inclusion of others in the effort when the first has failed. Frequently, within congregations, this is when an individual approaches elders rather than other sound brothers and sisters to assist him. This is not incorrect; it is just common. When success is not met in this group interaction, the elders frequently inform the congregation as to what is going on, however, they frequently fail to obey what Jesus establishes here. Verse 17 of the text establishes that if the transgressor does not listen there is supposed to be an interaction of the Church, the Christians, with the one in sin. The body of Christ is to reach out and talk to the man… not just be informed and leave it in the hands of the elders. The responsibility lies within the congregation to engage for the sake of the individual’s soul. His soul is worth the attention of everyone! The proper path is not to wait for months while a couple of elders engage in a letter writing war. By then the individual with feet braced often wants no part of anyone at the congregation, the relationships have become irrelevant because the proper steps were not quickly taken, and the individual has moved on and established others.
A second failure, often as a matter of understanding, comes from verse 18: “Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Correctly understood, those things which are bound or loosed (followed or not followed) are those which have already been established by God’s Word. Thus, the point is, if the transgressor has either repented or continued in sin, and the brethren who have approached him have done so according to what has been established by God, then God will accept the decision on their course of action. The text is not encouraging the creation of any course of action outside of what has been revealed by God.
The final failing of understanding in this passage is in verse 20: “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am among them.” This verse is often utilized as “Hey! I want to go camping not meet with the brethren on Sunday, so as long as someone is with me to worship at the campfire, God is with us.” That is a common and terrible misuse of Jesus’ words. The wider context of Jesus’ words has been the value of the human soul. The more narrow context is church discipline. The proper meaning is that if the discipline is done with authority, God endorses it.
Church discipline is something that is not to be done lightly. It is something that needs to be done in timely fashion according to God’s authority. It is a blessing when private sin can be resolved between individuals, but when it cannot, and the concern escalates to the entire Church, let each and every member engage with kindness, love, and concern over the precious soul in trouble. The Church cannot dismiss their duties as Christians and the Eldership cannot assume those duties as their own. It is in those scenarios that regardless of how many are gathered together, God will not be among them.