Tuesday Night Biblestudy on Matthew 18:15
"If your brother sins against you, go and tell (or: show) him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother." (Matthew 18:15 ESV)
“Christ, having cautioned his disciples not to give offence (Vs.1-14), comes next to direct them what they must do in case of offences given them; which may be understood either of personal injuries, and then these directions are intended for the preserving of the peace of the church; or of public scandals, and then they are intended for the preserving of the purity and beauty of the church.” (Matthew Henry)
- “YOUR BROTHER” -
It’s not about your neigbour, a stranger, colleague (per se), but about a fellow professing Christian, a member of your spiritual family. So this is a “family rule”. - “SINS AGAINST YOU” - or “trespasses against you”,
or causes an offence; injur your character, person or property – by words or conduct - “GO” -
This is indeed the hardest part of Jesus’ command. “Go” means get active, act, take the initiative, get down from your “pedestal”, leave your pride behind, and seek your brother. - “TELL HIM HIS FAULT” -
Convict (convert) him; this is the the easiest part – but only when he is not around (gossip?) it doesn’t mean: lecture him, harangue him, but rebuke him gently, explain your injury and his fault with humility (Gal 6:1-2) - “BETWEEN YOU AND HIM ALONE” -
This is the most forgotten part – but you forfeit your right of escalation (see verses 16-19) if you don’t follow these instructions in detail! It’s still a matter only between you, God and the other person. Not giving an opportunity to resolve this in private is a sin in itself! - “IF HE LISTENS” -
In the sense of “heeding”, understanding, agreeing give him time to ponder what you said, to digest it. then you must discern his reaction - “YOU HAVE GAINED YOUR BROTHER”
The ultimate goal, the prevailing objective: Restoration, Reconciliation (Mt. 5:23-24)
"If you have conceived a displeasure by your brother for any injury he has done to you, do not suffer your resentments to ripen into a secret malice (like a wound, which is most dangerous when it bleeds inwardly), but give vent to them in a mild and grave admonition, let them so spend themselves, and they will expire the sooner; do not go and rail against him behind his back, but you shall in any ways reprove him. If he has indeed done you a considerable wrong, endeavour to make him sensible of it, but let the rebuke be private, between you and him alone; if tyou can convince him, do not expose him, for that will but exasperate him, and make the reproof look like a revenge." (Matthew Henry)
Matth. 18:15 is totally about the person being sinned against. But is the sinning person off the hook? No: Mt. 5:23-24
How can we prevent it completely?
Stop it, before it even happens! Prov 17:14
4 ways:
- Be quick to listen – James 1:19
- Overlook the offence – Prov. 12:16; 19:11; 10:12
- Hold back your anger – Prov. 29:11
- A soft answer – Prov. 15:11
Sometimes we assume that the person sinned against us, but: What is our “history” with that person?
Conclusion: Read Phil. 2:1-5
Matthias,
Did you get much feedback from the questionnaires? Is there anything to share?
Comment by Philip Pain — Wed, 22. September 2010 @ 19:03
Yes, I got a some feedback. I plan to come back on it after the wedding, maybe for a follow-up Bible study.
Comment by Matthy — Thu, 23. September 2010 @ 8:30
Relevant in this context:
10 Things Forgiveness is not:
http://blog.marshillchurch.org/2010/09/27/10-things-forgiveness-is-not/
Comment by Matthy — Tue, 28. September 2010 @ 12:11
10 things forgiveness is not …
What a blessing to listen to this and I believe it is a must for my daughter & son-in-law too. Thanks for posting it - looking forward to the next BS!
Comment by Philip Pain — Mon, 4. October 2010 @ 12:23