Chapter 18 of the Gospel of Matthew contains the fourth of the five Discourses of Matthew, also called the Discourse on the Church or the ecclesiastical discourse.[1][2] It compares "the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven" to a child, and also includes the parables of the lost sheep and the unforgiving servant, the second of which also refers to the Kingdom of Heaven. The general theme of the discourse is the anticipation of a future community of followers, and the role of his apostles in leading it.[3][4]
Dale Allison states that this chapter offers "Instructions for the Church".[2] Addressing his apostles in Matthew 18:18, Jesus states: "what things soever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and what things soever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven".[a] The discourse emphasizes the importance of humility and self-sacrifice as the high virtues within the anticipated community. It teaches that in the Kingdom of God, it is childlike humility that matters, not social prominence and clout.[3][4]
"Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven."[6]
"Be converted" is more literally translated as "be turned ... so as to go in an opposite direction".[7] The phrase "enter the kingdom of heaven" appears three other times in the Gospel, at Matthew 5:20, 7:21, and 23:13.[8]
“But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea."[9]
This verse is Jesus' warning about causing other people, particularly children ("one of these little ones"), to sin.[10] The imagery of a millstone around one's neck serves to highlight the severity of the sin of promoting sin or encouraging others to sin.[11] The fact that Jesus states that "it would be better"[12] to have such a heavy thing around one's neck and fall into the waters of the sea than to commit a deed shows how serious the act of leading someone astray is.[13]
The threefold function of a local church is not only to receive new believers into its midst (cf. 18:1–11), but also to restore of backsliders and to reconcile brethren (18:15–35).[17] The restoration of backsliders is illustrated by Jesus in a story of the lost sheep and the loving shepherd, which is more fully told and elaborated into a three-part story in Luke 15 concerning a lost sheep, a lost piece of silver, and a lost son.[18]
The third of the threefold functions of a local church (after receiving new believers in 18:1–11 and restoring backsliders in 18:12–14) is to reconcile brethren.[19] Allison observes that "as soon as [Jesus] finishes the subject of disciplinary measures, he talks about reconciliation and forgiveness. The pastoral effect is to strike a balance".[2]
Jesus teaches that the attempt to reconcile a brother involves three steps: the Christian Love Rules (18:15), the Common Law Rules (18:16) and the Christian Leaders Rule (18:17–20), which is followed by an exposition of forgiveness (18:21–22) accompanied by a parable about a man whose debt is forgiven but refused to forgive others and therefore is punished (18:23–35).[20]
Verses 15-17 are of particular significance to Baptists in their support of the principle of autonomy of the local church.[b]
And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.[21]
If a sinner remains recalcitrant, even after the matter is brought to the whole community, then the person must be regarded as "outside the community" ("excommunication").[2]
Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven.[23]
This verse opens with "Again, truly ..." in the New International Version, drawing on the inclusion of Greek: ἀμὴν, amēn, in some manuscripts.[24]
Henry Alford links this verse with Mark 10:35, where James and John "nearly repeat these words", but without properly understanding them: "Teacher", they said, "we want you to do for us whatever we ask".[25][26]
