Devine Scripture

Matthew 18:17

What does Matthew 18:17 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 18:17 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 18:17 means

If the sinning brother remains unrepentant after the first two attempts, Jesus directs the matter to be brought before the entire local church assembly. And if he still refuses to listen to the church's collective admonition, he is to be treated as a 'Gentile and a publican.' This does not mean animosity, but a cessation of Christian fellowship, implying he is no longer considered part of the believing community, much as Jews historically avoided close social ties with non-Jews and tax collectors. It's a last resort to protect the church's purity and to potentially shock the individual into repentance.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And if he refuse to hear them, tell it unto the church: and if he refuse to hear the church also, let him be unto thee as the Gentile and the publican.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And if he refuse to hear them, tell it unto the church: and if he refuse to hear the church also, let him be unto thee as the Gentile and the publican.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And if he will not give ear to them, let it come to the hearing of the church: and if he will not give ear to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax-farmer.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

`And if he may not hear them, say <FI>it<Fi> to the assembly, and if also the assembly he may not hear, let him be to thee as the heathen man and the tax-gatherer.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And if he will not hear them: tell the church. And if he will not hear the church, let him be to thee as the heathen and publican.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But if he will not listen to them, tell it to the assembly; and if also he will not listen to the assembly, let him be to thee as one of the nations and a tax-gatherer.

Context

This verse outlines the final two stages of the disciplinary process, moving from the private witness (verse 16) to the public forum of the church. This escalation underscores the seriousness of unrepentant sin within the community. The instruction to treat such an individual as a 'Gentile and a publican' provides practical guidance for the church and leads directly into the discussion of the church's spiritual authority in heaven and on earth captured in verse 18.

v.16But if he hear thee not, take with thee one or two more, that at the mouth of two witnesses or three every word may be established.

v.17This passage

v.18Verily I say unto you, What things soever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and what things soever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 3 John 1:9

    I wrote somewhat unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.

  • 1 Corinthians 5:9

    I wrote unto you in my epistle to have no company with fornicators;

  • Acts 15:6

    And the apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider of this matter.

  • 2 Corinthians 6:14

    Be not unequally yoked with unbelievers: for what fellowship have righteousness and iniquity? or what communion hath light with darkness?

  • 2 Corinthians 2:6

    Sufficient to such a one is this punishment which was inflicted by the many;

  • 1 Corinthians 5:3

    For I verily, being absent in body but present in spirit, have already as though I were present judged him that hath so wrought this thing,

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