How does Matthew 18:15-17 relate to resolving conflicts in 1 Corinthians 6:6? 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗵 - “Instead, one brother goes to law against another, and this in front of unbelievers!” (1 Corinthians 6:6) - Believers were suing one another in pagan courts, shaming Christ’s body and ignoring God-given church authority. 𝗝𝗲𝘀𝘂𝘀’ 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽-𝗯𝘆-𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 “If your brother sins against you, go and rebuke him privately. If he listens to you, you have won your brother. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ 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 heathen or a tax collector.” (Matthew 18:15-17) 𝗣𝗮𝘂𝗹 𝗔𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗝𝗲𝘀𝘂𝘀 - Jesus: keep conflict inside the church until all internal steps are finished. - Paul: it is “already a defeat” to sue (6:7); handle disputes “before those who will judge the world” (6:2). - Same goal: reconciliation and protection of the church’s witness. 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘀 - Address privately first—maintains dignity and promotes repentance. - Bring witnesses—adds accountability and clarity. - Let the church judge—Christ’s body has God-delegated authority. - Guard testimony—outsiders should see unity, not lawsuits. - Aim for restoration—winning a brother is better than winning a verdict. 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗧𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆 1. Go in private with humility (Galatians 6:1). 2. Invite one or two mature believers if needed (Deuteronomy 19:15 echoed by Jesus). 3. Submit to church leadership’s counsel or discipline (Hebrews 13:17). 4. If one party rejects the church, separation or discipline follows (Titus 3:10-11). 5. Civil courts only when the issue is criminal or beyond church jurisdiction (Romans 13:1-4). 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗽𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀 - Proverbs 18:17 – hear both sides. - Colossians 3:13 – bear with and forgive. - 1 Peter 4:8 – love covers sins. - James 5:19-20 – turning a sinner back saves a soul. |
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