Beth Elohim Messianic Synagogue
Examination of Matthew 18:18-19
An explanation of these verses was requested by one of our congregants bringing to my attention how both rabbinic Jews and Christians misinterpret the context and intent of the narrative; rabbinic Jews from the original Old Testament in Galatians 6:1 and Christians from Matthew. I have provided an explanation of the narrative for your consideration.
First, we are looking at body of believers with one member sinning. So we have the standards by which the body adheres and the one who is sinning is breaking G-d’s standards in some way. All attempts at peaceful resolution have been made in the previous verses and now the delegated authority intervenes.
Discipline, accountability, and confrontation are proof of G-d’s love for us which includes accountability. Confronting a member of the body who rebels or sins is incumbent upon the entire body. The process of discipline focuses on those who refuse to repent of sinful behavior. This causes isolation from the rest of the community or a threat to the cohesiveness of the body.
Matthew 18:15-17 tells how to deal with sin in the assembly. “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. Ut is 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.’ If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the assembly; and if they refuse to listen even to the assembly, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.”
Now verse 18 gives us the assurance that, when this process is followed, G-d is intervening. “Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth, will be loosed in heaven.”
Then verses 19 and 20 give us final assurance: “Again, truly I tell you that of two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”
The context of “where two or three are gathered together in my name has to do with assembly discipline and the confrontation of the sinning individual. In verse 16, the principle has been invoked of needing “two or three witnesses” in making an accusation (Deut. 19:15). It seems that the mention of “two or three” are confronting sin in the assembly.
Yahshua cites the Old Testament Law that said an accusation from a single individual is insufficient to bring action in a criminal case. However, two or three witnesses who agree are sufficient to establish the matter. The law in Deuteronomy regulated a human court. Yahshua applies this to the “heavenly court.” When the sinning brother or sister in the assembly is confronted by “two or three witnesses” and refuses to repent, these witnesses bring the matter before the assembly. Yahshua assures us that, when this happens, it is not just the witnesses who are brining action against the offender, but He is there with them.
This is extremely important especially in our society today where we are criticized for confronting or “judging” anyone’s lifestyle as sinful. Those who are confident enough in their faith to call out sin in a member of the assembly can rest assured that Yahshua is with them; they are not acting alone.
The process of disciple in the assembly by two or three witnesses seems to be the best application of the previous verses as it indicates that two or three who gather in the name of glorifying G-d and confronting a dissenter are not coming together for the purpose of a “lynching,” a meeting, or a worship service, but for the matter of addressing the offender. The witness’s approach and deal with the offender with humility and not arrogance (Gal. 6:1) and the individual has not repented. So the two or three witnesses take the matter to G-d in prayer then move forward with the disciplinary process outlined in Scripture, confident that they are not bullying , gossiping, or otherwise “ganging” up on the offender, for G-d endorses their efforts- Yahshua is with them.
So we can see that this disciplinary process is just that. It is not a way to override G-d’s laws/commands in favor of an anti-Torah law/decision, etc. When we look at the preceding verses, we know the context of the verses in question are an extension of the biblical disciplinary process that was established by G-d in the Old Testament.
I hope this answers your questions. Let me know if you have further concerns.
Shalom v’brachas,
Rabbi Tamah Davis-Hart