Matthew 18:16

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. 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. (; .)...

16._But if he shall not hear thee. _The second step is, that he who displayed obstinacy, or refused to yield to one man, should be again admonished in presence of _witnesses _Here some object, that it will serve no purpose to call _witnesses_, if we have to deal with an obstinate and rebellious man, because their presence will be so far from leading him to acknowledge his guilt, that he will only make a more wicked denial. But this difficulty will be speedily removed, if we distinguish between _denial _and _evasion _He who explicitly denies the fact, and declares that he is falsely and calumniously accused, must be left alone; for it would be ill vain to press him by calling _witnesses _But as, in most cases, men shamelessly evade, or impudently excuse, the improper and unjust actions which they have committed, till greater authority is employed, towards such persons it is useful to obse...

15-20 If a professed Christian is wronged by another, he ought not to complain of it to others, as is often done merely upon report, but to go to the offender privately, state the matter kindly, and show him his conduct. This would generally have all the desired effect with a true Christian, and the parties would be reconciled. The principles of these rules may be practised every where, and under all circumstances, though they are too much neglected by all. But how few try the method which Christ has expressly enjoined to all his disciples! In all our proceedings we should seek direction in prayer; we cannot too highly prize the promises of God. Wherever and whenever we meet in the name of Christ, we should consider him as present in the midst of us....

Verse Matthew 16:2. _TAKE WITH THEE ONE OR TWO MORE_] Men whom he esteems, who may then confirm and enforce what thou sayest; and afterwards, if need require, bear witness of what was spoken. If even this do not succeed, then, and not before,...

BUT IF HE WILL NOT HEAR THEE ... - That is, if he spurns or abuses you, or will not be entreated by you, and will not reform. TAKE WITH THEE ONE OR TWO MORE - The design of taking them seems to be, * That he might be induced to listen to them, Matthew 18:17. They should be persons of influence or authority; his personal friends, or those in whom he could put confidence. * That they might be witnesses of his conduct before the church, Matthew 18:17. The law of Moses required two or three witnesses, Deu 19:15; 2 Corinthians 13:1;...

EXPOSITION MATTHEW 18:1 _Discourse concerning the greatest in the kingdom of heaven, and the mutual duties of Christians_._ _(Mark 9:33; Luke 9:46-42.) MATTHEW 18:1 _The greatest in the kingdom of heaven_. MATTHEW 18:1 AT THE SAME TIME; literally, _in that hour_._ _The narrator connects the following important discourse with the circumstances just previously related. Peter had completed the b

BUT IF HE WILL NOT HEAR THEE,..... But will either deny the fact, or extenuate and excuse it, or defend it, or at least is obstinate and incorrigible, shows no signs of repentance, but is angry, gives hard words, and ill language: THEN TAKE WITH THEE ONE OR TWO MORE; members of the church, and perhaps of weight, reputation, and character, who either know some thing of the matter, and so can confirm, by their testimony, what has been alleged, in order to bring the person to conviction and acknowledgment; or if they do not, and which seems rather to be the sense, they may, by hearing what is said on both sides, judge where the truth lies, and join with the offended person in the admonition, that it may fall with the greater weight, and become more effectual: THAT IN THE MOUTH OF TWO OR THREE WITNESSES EVERY WORD MAY BE ESTABLISHED, referring to Deut

Matthew 18:1. _At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?_ The question we have sometimes heard asked in other forms, «Which is the highest office; which form of service shall have the greatest honour?» As if we were courtiers and were to take our positions according to precedent. Matthew 18:2. _And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them._ They all wondered what he was going to do. The little child was no doubt pleased to find itself in such happy company. Matthew 18:3. _And said, Verily I say unto you,_ «And said Verily I say unto you» to you, men or women, who th

6. INSTRUCTIONS TO HIS DISCIPLES. CONCERNING FORGIVENESS. CHAPTER 18 _ 1. Concerning the Little Ones and Offences. (Matthew 18:1 .) 2. The Son of Man to Save What is Lost. (Matthew 18:11 .) 3. The Church Anticipated and Instructions Concerning it. (Matthew 18:15 .) 4. Concerning Forgiveness. (Matthew 18:21 .)_ So closely is this chapter connected with the events of the previous one that it should not be divided into a separate chapter at all. It was “in that hour” the disciples came to Him with their question. When the Lord had just uttered the great truth “the sons are free” and added His gracious

A CONVERSATION WITH THE TWELVE. For Matthew 18:1, the question of precedence, _cf._ Mark 9:33 *, also Matthew 20:26 f., Mark 10:43 f., Luke 9:48; Luke 22:26. Mt. makes the disciples begin the discussion, but characteristically omits the derogatory intimation that they had been disputing. In his account Jesus does not embrace the child (_cf. Matthew 19:15_,...