What does "binding and loosing" mean?

Definition and Context

“Binding and loosing” refers to a phrase found in the Gospels, most notably in Matthew 16:19 and Matthew 18:18. These passages show Jesus granting authority to His followers—initially to Peter and then in a broader sense to the disciples—for exercising discernment, discipline, and decision-making within the community of believers. The terms “bind” and “loose” were familiar in first-century Jewish culture and carried the idea of “forbidding” (binding) and “allowing” or “permitting” (loosing). Beyond that immediate sense, the concept stretches into spiritual, moral, and communal realms, signifying a God-ordained mandate for the Church to identify what aligns or conflicts with God’s purposes.

Scriptural Foundations

In Matthew 16:19, Jesus says to Peter: “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” This verse directly connects the giving of “keys” with the authority to proclaim and apply God’s truth.

A parallel statement occurs in Matthew 18:18: “Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Here, Jesus addresses not just Peter, but the larger group of disciples, underlining the communal responsibility of discernment and discipline among believers.

These statements appear in the earliest extant manuscripts of the Gospel of Matthew (e.g., portions of Papyrus 45 and later codices), and scholars of biblical manuscripts note remarkable consistency in how these verses have been transmitted through centuries of copying. Such fidelity in transmission, corroborated by cross-checking with the Dead Sea Scrolls’ patterns of textual preservation, attests to the historicity of Matthew’s Gospel account.

Cultural and Historical Background

In first-century rabbinic tradition, the terms “bind” (Greek: δέω, deo) and “loose” (Greek: λύω, luo) often related to determining whether certain behaviors were permissible or forbidden under the Law. Rabbis would “bind” a teaching as prohibited or “loose” it as permissible.

This context sheds light on Jesus’ words, indicating that His disciples carried an authority akin to rabbinic authority—but grounded in Him. By entrusting them with this authority, Jesus positioned them as witnesses to divine truth rather than as mere interpreters of human tradition. Early Jewish writings such as the Mishnah and Talmud contain references to rabbinic “binding and loosing,” lending historical support to the cultural milieu in which Jesus spoke.

Theological Significance

1. Authority of the Church Community

Binding and loosing convey a special entrustment of responsibility. The Church, under the lordship of Christ, must discern God’s direction in moral and doctrinal matters. The “keys of the kingdom” reflect stewardship, indicating that believers—guided by Scripture and the Holy Spirit—are to maintain purity of teaching and practice.

2. Spiritual Warfare and Deliverance

Many Christians also interpret “binding” as the Church’s God-given role to resist and overcome evil forces (cf. Mark 3:27). Loosing can similarly imply releasing individuals from spiritual or moral bondage. While the immediate text in Matthew does not directly speak to exorcisms, the broader New Testament context of believers exercising authority in Christ’s name supports a spiritual dimension to “binding and loosing.”

3. Discipline, Forgiveness, and Restoration

In Matthew 18, the instruction occurs within a context of dealing with sin in the community. When believers address wrongdoing, they are effectively “binding” those actions under accountability. When repentance occurs, the Church “loosens” the repentant individual from condemnation, extending forgiveness, and restoring fellowship (see also 2 Corinthians 2:6–7 for a related example).

4. Consistency with All Scripture

Throughout both Old and New Testaments, the concept of obedience and proper application of divine law is paramount (cf. Deuteronomy 6:1–2; John 14:15). Jesus’ teaching in the Gospels complements the apostolic writings, showcasing the unified scriptural witness: God’s moral and redemptive purposes, once revealed, carry divine authority, and believers share in the responsibility to uphold them (2 Timothy 3:16–17).

Practical Applications

1. Church Governance and Decision-Making

Congregations often look to Matthew 18 as the framework for discipline. Leaders and members who prayerfully “bind” certain practices as out of alignment with Scripture highlight the need for repentance, while “loosing” affirms what is permissible and good in the eyes of God.

2. Personal Discernment

Individual believers can view “binding and loosing” in the sense of personal obedience. By “binding” sinful habits and “loosening” themselves to walk in holiness, they align with the Holy Spirit’s ongoing work of sanctification (Romans 6:19–22).

3. Unity and Accountability

Binding and loosing also cultivate communal unity by clarifying the boundaries of Christian living. When exercised with humility, this process fosters accountability and genuine fellowship, reflecting Jesus’ prayer in John 17:21 for unity among believers.

Archaeological and Historical Corroborations

While “binding and loosing” is primarily a theological concept, archaeological finds such as first-century synagogue inscriptions and rabbinic texts (like sections of the Talmud discovered in medieval manuscript compilations) confirm the presence of oral and written traditions of authoritative interpretations. These parallels in Jewish practice offer historical grounding for the legitimacy of the Gospel narratives. Early Church writings, including references in Ignatius and Clement of Rome, echo the principle of Church authority in matters of doctrine and discipline, reiterating that Jesus’ teaching on binding and loosing was embraced and enacted soon after His earthly ministry.

Conclusion

“Binding and loosing” represents a significant biblical principle where Jesus delegates authority and responsibility to His followers for discerning and administering spiritual and moral truth. Rooted in the cultural context of first-century Judaism, the phrase extends through the New Testament as a guiding framework for the Church’s mission: promoting holiness, confronting sin, offering forgiveness, and proclaiming the kingdom of God.

This concept remains vital for believers, reflecting God’s intent that His people, equipped by Scripture and the Holy Spirit, stand firm as guardians of truth and conduits of grace. In this way, they uphold the foundation laid by Christ, ensuring that what is bound or loosed aligns with God’s eternal purposes—“on earth as it is in heaven.”