"And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector"
(Matthew 18:17 NKJV)

Jesus fellowships the church that practices loving discipline

Our passage puts us in the middle of a dispute (sin) that affects two brothers: one brother has sinned against another.

The setting: “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone” (Mt. 18:15). Jesus plainly wants to restrict the damage that has been done because a brother sinned against a brother. Instead of going everywhere broadcasting the offense, the offended brother must go straight to the offender in order to gain him.

Unfortunately, the one who is sinned against in this manner often commits his own sin by ignoring the Lord’s directions and telling everyone else what the offender did to him. Note that the Lord’s purpose is not revenge, but saving the brother who committed the sin. “If he hears you, you have gained your brother” (Mt. 18:15). Isn’t this what we would want if we had committed the sin?

But what if the sinful brother refuses to repent? “But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established” (Mt. 18:16). Again, this is an effort to save the brother who sinned.

If he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church (Mt. 18:17). Note that the church does not get involved until the wounded brother, along with a couple of others, have made an effort to restore the brother in sin. If he refuses to hear the church, he must be marked as a sinner who refuses to repent — fellowship has been broken. God Himself institutes and recognizes this action (Mt. 18:18). Jesus fellowships the church that practices loving discipline (Mt. 18:19-20). This action is designed to save a soul in sin. We must appreciate love that is tough enough to obey the Lord and concerned enough to save a brother in sin.

– Rick Duggin