In our daily lives, offences are inevitable. Whether among family members, friends, or fellow believers, situations will arise where words are spoken, actions are misunderstood, or wrongs are committed. Because human relationships are involved, offences are a reality in everyday human experience.
However, offences become especially dangerous when they are mishandled. Unresolved bitterness, pride, and unforgiveness can weaken fellowship and damage relationships within the church. For this reason, the Lord Jesus gave clear instructions concerning how believers ought to respond to offences among themselves.
In Matthew 18, Jesus teaches not merely how to confront wrongdoing, but how to pursue restoration, reconciliation, and forgiveness within the community of believers.
“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. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.”— Matthew 18:15–17
To properly understand the Lord’s teaching, it is important to read this passage within its full context. Jesus had already been speaking about humility, offences, and restoration earlier in the chapter. The entire discourse emphasizes restoration, accountability, and the preservation of fellowship among God’s people.
Restoring Relationships Privately
Jesus begins with a direct instruction:
“If thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone.”
The goal of this instruction is not humiliation, revenge, or public exposure, but restoration and reconciliation. The word “brother” (adelphos) in this context refers to a fellow believer within the community of believers. Jesus is therefore addressing how disciples are to preserve fellowship with one another. The first step is private reconciliation. The offended believer is instructed to approach the offender personally and respectfully. If the brother listens, Jesus says, “thou hast gained thy brother,” indicating that reconciliation and restoration have taken place. The underlying principle is clear: reconciliation is consistently preferred over division.
The Role of Witnesses in Reconciliation
Jesus continues:
“But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more…”
The purpose of bringing witnesses is not to escalate accusations, but to provide clarity, wisdom, and balanced testimony. These witnesses help ensure fairness and may assist in bringing understanding that leads to repentance and restored fellowship. Even at this stage, the process remains restorative. The aim is still reconciliation, not punishment.
When the Matter Is Brought Before the Church
Jesus then says:
“And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church.”
At this stage, the matter is brought before the assembly of believers for the church’s involvement and wise guidance. The intention remains restoration, now pursued through the wisdom and authority of the church.
Jesus continues:
“But if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.”
This statement must be understood carefully. Jesus is not instructing hatred, rejection, or contempt. Rather, it indicates that the individual is now living outside the fellowship and relational harmony of the believing community due to persistent refusal to listen. Fellowship is therefore affected, but love, prayer, and the hope of restoration are not removed. This understanding is also consistent with other New Testament passages that address church discipline while still aiming at restoration (e.g., 1 Corinthians 5; 2 Thessalonians 3:14–15).
Binding and Loosing: Authority in the Community of Believers
Jesus then declares:
“Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”— Matthew 18:18
These words must be interpreted within the immediate context of reconciliation, accountability, and church discipline. The Greek word deo (“bind”) carries the idea of restraining or prohibiting, while luo (“loose”) means to release or set free. Within this passage, Jesus is affirming the authority of believers to act in matters of offence and reconciliation. This includes resisting what destroys unity—such as bitterness and refusal to reconcile—and affirming what restores it, such as repentance and forgiveness. This authority is not arbitrary control over individuals, but responsibility to reflect God’s heart in maintaining truth, peace, and restored relationships.
Agreement in the Context of Restoration
Jesus continues:
“Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask…”
In the immediate context, this agreement relates closely to matters of reconciliation and church responsibility. It highlights the power of unity when believers seek God’s will together in difficult relational situations.
“For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”
While this principle is often applied broadly to prayer gatherings, its immediate context emphasizes Christ’s presence among believers seeking unity, restoration, and alignment with God’s will in matters of fellowship.
Forgiveness Without Limit
After this teaching, Peter asks:
“Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?”
Jesus responds:
“I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.”
The Lord then gives the parable of the unforgiving servant, showing that forgiveness is not meant to be measured or restricted. Because God has forgiven us an immeasurable debt, believers are called to extend forgiveness freely and repeatedly.
Forgiveness, therefore, is not merely emotional—it is a deliberate posture shaped by the mercy we have received from God.
The Apostolic Instruction on Forgiveness
The Apostle Paul echoes this truth in Ephesians 4:
“Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”— Ephesians 4:31–32
Bitterness and unforgiveness grieve the Spirit of God and damage believers’ fellowship. Therefore, believers are instructed to put these things away and instead walk in kindness, tenderness, and forgiveness. The foundation of our forgiveness toward others is the forgiveness we ourselves have received in Christ.
Conclusion
Offences will arise among believers, but the Lord has not left His church without guidance. Jesus teaches a process that emphasizes private reconciliation, wise mediation, communal discernment when necessary, and a continual commitment to forgiveness. Believers are called to resist bitterness and to actively pursue peace. Through humility, wisdom, and the enabling power of the Holy Spirit, unity within the body of Christ can be preserved. As those who have received mercy from God, we are continually called to extend that same mercy to others.
