Matthew 18:17

Matthew 18:17, in plain English

If they still refuse to listen, tell the church. And if they ignore even the church, treat them as you would an outsider. Some relationships reach a limit.

Why it's here

Sometimes loving someone means accepting that they've chosen a path you can't follow. Boundaries aren't punishment; they're protection for everyone.

Who's speaking

Jesus teaches the final step when reconciliation efforts are exhausted.

Where it sits in the story

The process ends with a difficult but necessary boundary. When every attempt at restoration has been rejected, the community must acknowledge reality and draw a line.

The scholarly reading

The final step involves telling the ekklēsia ('church/assembly'). If the offender refuses even the church's authority, they are to be regarded hōsper ho ethnikos kai ho telōnēs ('as a Gentile and a tax collector'). This represents the boundary of the community's discipline.

Language and setting

The term ekklēsia appears only here and in 16:18 in the Gospels. The designation 'Gentile and tax collector' represents outsider status in Jewish community life, though ironically Jesus' own ministry embraced both groups.

Voice

Jesus outlines the final step in the discipline process.

Significance

When all attempts at reconciliation fail, the community must act. The offender is treated as an outsider, not out of cruelty, but because they have chosen to reject the community's correction.

15If your brother sins against you, go and confront him privately. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over.

16But 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.’

17If 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.

18Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.

19Again, I tell you truly that if two of you on the earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by My Father in heaven.

Read all of Matthew 18 — Who is the greatest? A child. What matters most? The one who wandered off. Forgiveness isn't optional — it's the air the kingdom breathes.