Matthew 18:15

Dealing With Sin in the Church

15 “If your brother or sister ^[a] sins, ^[b] go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over.

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Matthew 18:15 in Other Translations

KJV

15 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.

ESV

15 "If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.

NLT

15 “If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back.

MSG

15 "If a fellow believer hurts you, go and tell him - work it out between the two of you. If he listens, you've made a friend.

CSB

15 "If your brother sins against you, go and rebuke him in private. If he listens to you, you have won your brother.

Matthew 18:15 Meaning and Commentary

Matthew 18:15

Moreover, if thy brother shall trespass against thee
This is said to show, that as on the one hand, if any of those that believe in Christ, should commit a trespass against his fellow Christian, his sin is not to be connived at, for fear of offending him; for what Christ has before said, is not to be taken in such sense, as to prevent private reproof, or public censures, when there is occasion for them; so on the other hand, he is not to be despised and ill used, and treated in the same injurious manner; but gentle reproofs are to be made use of, for his good. This is spoken not to the apostles as such, but as believers in Christ; and concerns everyone that stands in the relation of a brother, or church member to each other, and only such; for they that are without, do not fall under their notice, nor are they obliged to take, nor can they take altogether, the same methods with them. This rule respects sins committed by one brother against another, either in word or deed; or such as are of a private nature, and which one only, or at least but few, are acquainted with: in such cases the advice is,

go and tell him his fault between thee, and him alone;
do not wait for his coming to thee, as being the aggressor, to acknowledge his fault, testify his repentance, express his sorrow for his sin, and ask pardon: but go to him, and freely and faithfully lay his sin before him; but do not aggravate it, and reproach him with it, and bear hard on him for it, but gently rebuke and reprove him: let this be done in the most private manner; let none be present, nor any know of it, even the most intimate friend and acquaintance:

if he shall hear thee;
patiently, take your reproof kindly, acknowledge his offence, declare his hearty sorrow for it, and desire it might be overlooked, and reconciliation made:

thou hast gained thy brother;
recovered him from the error of his ways, restored him to his duty, and secured his friendship, and interest in his favour; nor should any mention be made of this ever after, either to him, or any other, or to the church.

Taken from John Gill's Exposition of the Bible

Matthew 18:15 In-Context

13 And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off.

14 In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.

15 “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over.

16 But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’

17 If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.

Cross References 1

1. Leviticus 19:17; Luke 17:3; Galatians 6:1; James 5:19,20

Footnotes 2

[a]. The Greek word for "brother or sister" ("adelphos" ) refers here to a fellow disciple, whether man or woman; also in verses 21 and 35.
[b]. Some manuscripts "sins against you"