Matthew 18:15

Matthew 18:15. And if thy brother. A Christian brother.

Sin. The omission of ‘against thee' extends the precept. The passage, however, does not extend the power of the Church over all sins (since the rebuke against a hierarchical spirit forbids this), nor warrant meddlesome interference and rebuke. Our disapproval does not prove that the ‘brother' has sinned. The first step is to be in private.

Shew, not simply ‘tell,' but convince him of his fault.

Between thee and him alone. Privacy is for his sake, and as a fact this rebuke is the more difficult one.

Thou hast gained thy brother. Regained him for God, by inducing repentance: regained him for thyself, by regaining his love and fellowship, which is disturbed by his sin whether an offence against the reprover or not. Proclaiming his fault is dangerous for him, encouraging him in his sins: and for us, fostering our worst passions.