MATTHEW 18:15–20, A BROTHER WHO SINS
FRATERNAL CORRECTION, ECCLESIAL AUTHORITY, AND THE PRESENCE OF CHRIST
Introduction
In Matthew chapter 18, Jesus is teaching His disciples how to live together as a community of the Kingdom. After revealing the Father’s concern for the little ones through the Parable of the Lost Sheep, Jesus now addresses a very practical and sensitive issue: what to do when a brother or sister sins. This teaching shows that Christian community is not built on ignoring sin or public shaming, but on love that seeks conversion, reconciliation, and unity. Jesus presents a gradual, pastoral process that respects the dignity of the sinner while safeguarding the holiness and peace of the Church. At the heart of this passage is the assurance that Christ Himself remains present and active in the praying and discerning community.
Bible Passage (Matthew 18:15–20)
Jesus said, “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have won over your brother. If he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, so that every fact may be established on the testimony of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell the church. If he refuses to listen even to the church, then treat him as you would a Gentile or a tax collector. Amen, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again, amen, I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything for which they are to pray, it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”
Background
This teaching follows Jesus’ emphasis on humility, care for the little ones, and God’s desire that none be lost. The logical flow is clear: if the Father seeks the lost sheep, the Christian community must also seek the sinner. Jesus draws from Old Testament legal principles that required two or three witnesses to establish truth, but He transforms them with mercy and pastoral concern. This is one of the clearest passages where Jesus speaks explicitly about the role of the Church as a visible community with authority to teach, correct, reconcile, and pray in His name.
Opening Life Connection
Conflicts, misunderstandings, and sins are unavoidable wherever people live and work together, including in families, parishes, and religious communities. Often, the instinctive reactions are gossip, silent resentment, or public confrontation. This Gospel offers a radically different path: direct, respectful dialogue aimed not at winning arguments, but at winning back a brother or sister.
Verse-by-Verse / Phrase-by-Phrase Reflection
“If your brother sins… go and tell him his fault between you and him alone”
Jesus begins with discretion and respect. The goal is not humiliation, but conversion. Love takes the initiative and protects the dignity of the sinner.
“If he listens to you, you have won over your brother”
Reconciliation is described as a victory, not over a person, but for a relationship. Restoration is the true success.
“Take one or two others along with you”
When private correction fails, the community assists. This ensures fairness, truth, and shared responsibility, not accusation.
“Tell the church”
Here Jesus affirms the Church as a real, visible authority entrusted with pastoral care and discipline. Sin is not merely private when it wounds the community.
“Treat him as you would a Gentile or a tax collector”
This does not mean hatred or exclusion from love. Jesus Himself reached out to Gentiles and tax collectors. The sinner is now approached as one in need of evangelization and conversion.
“Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven”
Jesus grants the Church authority to make binding moral and disciplinary decisions, assuring divine backing when exercised faithfully.
“If two of you agree on earth… it shall be granted”
Communal prayer has special power. Unity in prayer aligns the community with the Father’s will.
“Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I”
This is a profound promise. Christ is truly present in the praying, discerning, reconciling community.
Jewish Historical and Religious Context
Jewish law required two or three witnesses to establish a matter, safeguarding justice and preventing false accusation. Community discipline was practiced in synagogues to preserve faithfulness to the covenant. Jesus adopts this structure but transforms it with mercy, placing reconciliation and salvation at the center rather than punishment.
Catholic Tradition and Teaching
The Church understands this passage as foundational for ecclesial authority, fraternal correction, and the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The Catechism teaches that admonishing the sinner is a spiritual work of mercy and that binding and loosing are exercised through teaching authority, pastoral governance, and sacramental forgiveness. Prayer in unity reflects the Church’s communion with Christ.
Historical or Saintly Illustration
Saint Augustine emphasized that correction must always be done with love, saying that we should “hate the sin but love the sinner.” His pastoral writings show how firmness and charity together build up the Church rather than divide it.
Application to Christian Life Today
This Gospel calls believers to reject gossip, revenge, and indifference. Parents correcting children, spouses resolving conflict, parishioners addressing misunderstandings, and leaders exercising authority are all invited to follow Jesus’ path: truth spoken in love, patience in process, prayerful discernment, and trust in Christ’s presence.
Eucharistic Connection
In the Eucharist, Christ gathers His community, forgives sins, and restores communion. Each Mass is a sign of reconciliation—between God and humanity and among believers themselves. Strengthened by the Eucharist, Christians are sent to be instruments of peace and healing.
Messages / Call to Conversion
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Seek reconciliation rather than confrontation or gossip
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Correct others with humility, love, and discretion
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Trust the Church’s role in guiding, healing, and uniting
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Believe in the power of prayer made in unity
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Live with confidence that Christ is present in every act done in His name
Outline for Preachers
• Context within Matthew 18 and community life
• Life connection: conflict and reconciliation
• Step-by-step process of fraternal correction
• Jewish legal background of witnesses
• Catholic teaching on Church authority and reconciliation
• Saintly example of correction with charity
• Application to family, parish, and society
• Eucharistic connection
• Key messages and call to conversion
