Keraia
Matthew 18

Matthew 18:15

A Brother Who Sins · Matthew 18:15–18
Read Matthew 18

Translations

Modern
If your brother sins against you, go and confront him privately. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over.
Traditional
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.
Literal
And if your brother may sin against you, go reprove him between you and him alone. If he may hear you, you have gained your brother.
Latin
Si autem peccaverit in te frater tuus, vade, et corripe eum inter te, et ipsum solum: si te audierit, lucratus eris fratrem tuum.

Original

Greek
English
If your brother sins against you, go and confront him privately. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over.

Notes

Matthew 18:15

If another believer sins, love means we should talk to them privately and point out the wrong (Leviticus 19:17; Luke 17:3; Galatians 6:1; 1 Timothy 5:20; Titus 3:10).

Matthew 18:15–20

Resolving issues should be private at first and only made public if absolutely necessary.

Matthew 18:15–35

The community of believers should stay united and avoid conflicts. Members should seek reconciliation (Matthew 18:15–20) and be ready to forgive (18:21–35). Sometimes, strict discipline might be necessary (18:17).

Matthew 18:1–35

This fourth major teaching in Matthew (see study note on Matthew 5:1–7:29) focuses on how people responded to the Messiah. The disciples accepted him, while the Jewish leaders and most people did not. As this division increased, Jesus taught his disciples about community life.

To follow the standards of Jesus, a community should live with:

Like the other teachings, a closing statement (19:1–2) connects to the next section.

Events

Parallels

Deuteronomy 19:15–21

Glossary

Brother Discipline Gospel of Matthew Letter to Philemon

Topics

Apologizing Asking for Forgiveness Being Offended Being Upset Being Wronged Biblical Confrontation Church: Rules of Discipline In, Mosaic and Christian Commandments: Precepts of Jesus--Explicitly Stated, or Implied in Didactic Discourse Conformity Confronting Others Controlling Parents Correction Court: Ecclesiastical Disagreement Fighting Forgiving your Enemies Fraternity: General Scriptures Concerning Going to Court Going to your Brother Jesus, the Christ: Reproves the Ambition of his Disciples (At Capernaum) Leaving a Church Love to Man: should be Exhibited, in Rebuking Loving Difficult People Offending Someone Preventing Conflict Problems Rebuke Rebuking Removing Sin Reproof: General Scriptures Concerning Resolution Resolving Conflict Secret of Others not to be Divulged Secrets Shunning Strife: General Scriptures Concerning Suing Someone Suing your Brother Tattletales Tax Collectors