John 20:23

Whose soever sins, &c. This power accompanies the gift of the Spirit just conferred. It must be noticed (1) that it is given to the whole company present; not to the Apostles alone. Of the Apostles one was absent, and there were others who were not Apostles present: no hint is given that this power is confined to the Ten. The commission therefore in the first instanceis to the Christian community as a whole, not to the Ministry alone.

It follows from this (2) that the power being conferred on the community and never revoked, the power continues so long as the community continues. While the Christian Church lasts it has the power of remitting and retaining along with the power of spiritual discernment which is part of the gift of the Spirit. That is, it has the power to declare the conditions on which forgiveness is granted and the fact that it has or has not been granted.

It should be noted (3) that the expression throughout is plural on both sides. As it is the community rather than individuals that is invested with the power, so it is classes of men rather than individuals on whom it is exercised. Goddeals with mankind not in the mass but with personal love and knowledge soul by soul. His Churchin fulfilling its mission from Him, while keeping this ideal in view, is compelled for the most part to minister to men in groups and classes. The plural here seems to indicate not what must always or ought to be the case, but what generally is.

are remitted … are retained Both verbs are perfects, though there is some doubt about the reading as regards the former. The force of the perfect is -are ipso factoremitted" -are ipso factoretained." When the community under the guidance of the Spirit has spoken, the result is complete.

retain i.e. -hold fast," so that they do not depart from the sinner. The word occurs here only in this Gospel. In Revelation it is used of -holding fast doctrine," &c. (John 2:14-15; John 2:25; John 3:11; comp. 2 Thessalonians 2:15).