Matthew 18:18
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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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This verse isn't just about church discipline; it's about Jesus entrusting His followers with the authority to discern and apply His teachings to real-life situations. The "binding" and "loosing" refer to declaring what is forbidden or permitted according to God's Word, meaning our faithful application of Scripture carries heavenly weight.
Jesus is instructing his disciples on how to handle conflicts and discipline within the community, building on the previous steps of private confrontation and involving witnesses. This verse follows the instruction to bring persistent offenders before the entire church, and it grants authority to the disciples, representing the church, to make decisions that will be recognized by God. The verses that follow further emphasize the importance of agreement and God's presence when disciples gather, reinforcing the idea that their collective actions have divine backing.
Imagine a family where conflict is never addressed. It might seem peaceful on the surface, but underneath, resentment and brokenness fester. Jesus offers a different path for His followers.
In Matthew 18, Jesus lays out a process for dealing with conflict and sin within the community. It's not about harsh judgment but about restoring a brother or sister.
A Gradual Approach
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This process isn't about punishment but about restoration and preserving the health of the community. It prioritizes love, truth, and the ultimate well-being of the individual.
When Jesus speaks about 'binding' and 'loosing,' He's not just talking about rules. He's investing His followers with a sacred authority that has eternal weight.
Verses 18-20 reveal a profound truth: the decisions made by Jesus' followers, when acting in accordance with His will and in community, have divine backing.
Heaven Ratifies Earthly Judgments
This isn't a blank check for arbitrary decisions. It's a promise that when the church faithfully applies Christ's teachings and exercises discipline with love and wisdom, God Himself stands behind those judgments.
Understand the original words
deō · Greek Verb
A rabbinic term for prohibiting an action or declaring a person under church discipline, based on the authority of the Word of God.
lyō · Greek Verb
A rabbinic term for permitting an action or releasing a person from church discipline, based on the authority of the Word of God.
This passage grants Peter the 'keys of the kingdom of heaven,' a similar promise of binding and loosing, establishing the foundational authority for spiritual governance that is later extended to all the apostles in Matthew 18.
1 Corinthians 5:1-5This passage demonstrates the practical application of 'binding' when the church at Corinth is instructed to excommunicate an individual for sexual immorality, showing a direct consequence of such decisions on earth.
John 20:22-23After His resurrection, Jesus breathes on His disciples and says, 'Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.' This directly links the authority to forgive or withhold forgiveness with the Holy Spirit's empowering presence.
Deuteronomy 19:15Jesus' instruction to bring one or two more witnesses before telling the church echoes this Old Testament law, which states that a matter must be confirmed by the testimony of two or three witnesses, highlighting the importance of established process.
calvinMatthew 18:15-20: "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."
- But if thy brother hath sinned against thee, go and reprove him between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. 16. But if he shall not hear thee, take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be confirmed: and if he shall not hear them,…
henryMatthew 18:15-20: "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."
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 b…
This verse isn't just about church discipline; it's about Jesus entrusting His followers with the authority to discern and apply His teachings to real-life situations. The "binding" and "loosing" refer to declaring what is forbidden or permitted according to God's Word, meaning our faithful application of Scripture carries heavenly weight.
Jesus is instructing his disciples on how to handle conflicts and discipline within the community, building on the previous steps of private confrontation and involving witnesses. This verse follows the instruction to bring persistent offenders before the entire church, and it grants authority to the disciples, representing the church, to make decisions that will be recognized by God. The verses that follow further emphasize the importance of agreement and God's presence when disciples gather, reinforcing the idea that their collective actions have divine backing.
Jesus is instructing his disciples on how to handle conflicts and discipline within the community, building on the previous steps of private confrontation and involving witnesses. This verse follows the instruction to bring persistent offenders before the entire church, and it grants authority to the disciples, representing the church, to make decisions that will be recognized by God. The verses that follow further emphasize the importance of agreement and God's presence when disciples gather, reinforcing the idea that their collective actions have divine backing.
"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." — This verse isn't just about church discipline; it's about Jesus entrusting His followers with the authority to discern and apply His teachings to real-life situations. The "binding" and "loosing" ref…
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