What is the meaning of Matthew 18:15? If your brother sins against you - Jesus assumes family language—“brother”—because believers are members of one household (Romans 12:10; 1 John 3:14). A wrong between siblings is not trivial but deeply personal. - “Sins against you” sets the focus on an actual offense, not a difference of opinion. Sin is real, objective, and must be dealt with (Luke 17:3–4). - The Lord does not tell us to ignore sin or nurse resentment. Silence breeds bitterness, but love “rejoices with the truth” (1 Corinthians 13:6). - By acknowledging the offense, we honor God’s holiness and protect the unity of the body (Ephesians 4:3). go and confront him privately - The initiative lies with the offended party. Waiting for the other person keeps the wound open; going reflects Christ’s pursuit of sinners (Matthew 5:23-24). - Privacy preserves dignity. Proverbs 25:9 urges, “Argue your case with your neighbor, and do not betray another’s confidence.” - Practical approach: • Pray first, asking the Spirit for humility (Galatians 6:1). • Speak face-to-face, not through gossip or digital messages. • State the facts, not motives you can’t see (1 Corinthians 4:5). • Express your desire for restoration, not revenge. - Private confrontation stops rumors before they start and invites repentance without public shame (James 5:19-20). If he listens to you - Listening implies hearing, owning the fault, and turning from it (Acts 11:18). True repentance listens with soft soil (Proverbs 9:8-9). - The offended believer must also listen—ready to forgive at the first sign of repentance (Luke 17:3-4). - When dialogue replaces accusation, barriers fall and hearts soften (Psalm 32:5). you have won your brother over - “Won” is the language of rescue, not conquest. The goal is a restored relationship, echoing the shepherd rejoicing over the found sheep (Luke 15:6). - The victory belongs to both parties: • The sinner is freed from guilt and discipline (2 Corinthians 2:7-8). • The offended party is freed from bitterness (Ephesians 4:31-32). • The church is spared division and scandal (Philippians 2:1-2). - God is glorified because reconciliation mirrors the gospel itself—Christ reconciling us by His blood (Colossians 1:20). - James 5:20 reminds us that turning a sinner back “will save his soul from death and cover over a multitude of sins.” summary Matthew 18:15 directs believers to address personal sin quickly, privately, and lovingly, aiming for repentance and restored fellowship. Initiative, humility, and a gospel-shaped desire for reconciliation transform conflict into an opportunity to “win” a brother, strengthen the church, and honor the Lord who first pursued us. |
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