| Matthew 18 | |
|---|---|
 Christ with children, byCarl Heinrich Bloch | |
| Book | Gospel of Matthew |
| Category | Gospel |
| Christian Bible part | New Testament |
| Order in the Christian part | 1 |
Chapter 18 of theGospel of Matthew contains the fourth of thefive Discourses of Matthew, also called theDiscourse on the Church or theecclesiastical discourse.[1][2] It compares "the greatest in theKingdom of Heaven" to a child, and also includes the parables ofthe lost sheep andthe unforgiving servant, the second of which also refers to the Kingdom of Heaven. The general themes of the discourse are the anticipation of a future community of followers, and the role and "spiritual condition"[3] of hisapostles in leading it.[4][5]
Dale Allison states that this chapter offers "Instructions for the Church".[2] Addressing his apostles inMatthew 18:18,Jesus states: "what things soever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound inheaven; 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 theKingdom of God, it is childlike humility that matters, not social prominence and clout.[4][5]
The chapter can be divided into the following subsections:
The original text was written inKoine Greek.This chapter is divided into 35 verses.
Some earlymanuscripts containing the text of this chapter are:
The expression "at that time" or "in that hour" "connects what follows very closely with thetax incident (Matthew 17:24–27), and shows that the two things were intimately associated in the mind ofthe evangelist".[3]
"Be converted" is more literally translated as "be turned ... so as to go in an opposite direction".[3] The phrase "enter the kingdom of heaven" appears three other times in the Gospel, atMatthew 5:20,7:21, and23:13.[9]
This verse isJesus' warning about causing other people, particularly children ("one of these little ones"), to sin.[11] The imagery of amillstone around one's neck serves to highlight the severity of the sin of promoting sin or encouraging others to sin. The fact that Jesus states that "it would be better" 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.[12]
Woe to the world (Greek:οὐαὶ τῶ κόσμῳ,Ouai tō kosmō).
InMatthew 18:7, Jesus utters "an exclamation of pity at thought of the miseries that come upon mankind through ambitious passions".[3]
Verse 11 is present in some ancient texts but not in others. It appears in theTextus Receptus, and theKing James Version includes it, but theNew International Version omits it and the omission in the NU text is noted in afootnote in theNew King James Version.[15]
Commentator John Philips looks at this chapter in relation to the local church or community of believers.
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).[16] 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 inLuke 15 concerning a lost sheep, a lost piece of silver, and a lost son.[17]
The third of the threefold functions of a local church (after receiving new believers in18:1–11 and restoring backsliders in18:12–14) is to reconcile brethren.[18] Allison observes that "as soon as [Jesus] finishes the subject of disciplinary measures, he talks about reconciliation and forgiveness. Thepastoral 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).[19]
Verses 15–17 are of particular significance toBaptists in their support of the principle ofautonomy of the local church.[b]
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]
Cross reference:Matthew 16:19,John 20:23
This verse opens with "Again, truly ..." in the New International Version, drawing on the inclusion ofGreek:ἀμὴν,amēn, in some manuscripts.[23]
Henry Alford links this verse withMark 10:35, whereJames andJohn "nearly repeat these words", but without properly understanding them:"Teacher", they said, "we want you to do for us whatever we ask".[24][25]
