How should the church respond to unrepentant sin according to Matthew 18:17?

The Instruction in Matthew 18:17

“ ‘If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, regard him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.’ ”

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The Purpose Behind the Command

- Guard the purity of Christ’s body (1 Corinthians 5:6–7).

- Protect other believers from destructive influence (Galatians 5:9).

- Call the offender to repentance through escalating seriousness (James 5:19–20).

- Demonstrate obedience to Christ, the Head of the church (Colossians 1:18).

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The Four-Step Process Jesus Outlines

1. Private confrontation (Matthew 18:15).

2. One or two witnesses join the appeal (Matthew 18:16).

3. The matter is told to the whole congregation (Matthew 18:17a).

4. Persistent refusal leads to removal from fellowship (Matthew 18:17b).

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Practical Application for Today

- Lovingly but firmly apply each step without skipping any.

- Keep records of the attempts to restore, ensuring fairness and clarity.

- Limit knowledge of the issue to only those who need to know until Step 3.

- When Step 4 becomes necessary:

• Exclude the unrepentant person from communion and ministry roles (1 Corinthians 5:11).

• Maintain individual courtesy while withholding spiritual endorsement—no gossip, no hostility.

• Uphold hope for restoration if repentance occurs (2 Corinthians 2:6–8).

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Heart Attitudes While Carrying Out Discipline

- Grief, not vindictiveness (2 Corinthians 12:21).

- Humility, recognizing personal vulnerability to sin (Galatians 6:1).

- Prayerful dependence on God’s wisdom and power (Philippians 4:6–7).

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Restoration Remains the Goal

- Discipline is medicinal, not punitive; it aims to “win your brother” (Matthew 18:15).

- Once repentance is evident, forgiveness and full fellowship are joyfully extended (Luke 15:20–24).