The Meaning of Matthew 18:15 Explained

Matthew 18:15

KJV: Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.

YLT: 'And if thy brother may sin against thee, go and show him his fault between thee and him alone, if he may hear thee, thou didst gain thy brother;

Darby: But if thy brother sin against thee, go, reprove him between thee and him alone. If he hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.

ASV: And if thy brother sin against thee, go, show him his fault between thee and him alone: if he hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Moreover  if  thy  brother  shall trespass  against  thee,  go  and  tell  him  his fault  between  thee  and  him  alone:  if  he shall hear  thee,  thou hast gained  thy  brother. 

What does Matthew 18:15 Mean?

Study Notes

trespass
Sin.
sinned
Sin, Summary: The literal meanings of the Heb. and (Greek - ἀλεκτοροφωνία sin," "sinner," etc)., disclose the true nature of sin in its manifold manifestations. Sin is transgression, an overstepping of the law, the divine boundary between good and evil Psalms 51:1 ; Luke 15:29 , iniquity, an act inherently wrong, whether expressly forbidden or not; error, a departure from right; Psalms 51:9 ; Romans 3:23 , missing the mark, a failure to meet the divine standard; trespass, the intrusion of self-will into the sphere of divine authority Ephesians 2:1 , lawlessness, or spiritual anarchy 1 Timothy 1:9 , unbelief, or an insult to the divine veracity John 16:9 .
Sin originated with Satan Isaiah 14:12-14 , entered the world through Adam Romans 5:12 , was, and is, universal, Christ alone excepted; Romans 3:23 ; 1 Peter 2:22 , incurs the penalties of spiritual and physical death; Genesis 2:17 ; Genesis 3:19 ; Ezekiel 18:4 ; Ezekiel 18:20 ; Romans 6:23 and has no remedy but in the sacrificial death of Christ; Hebrews 9:26 ; Acts 4:12 availed of by faith Acts 13:38 ; Acts 13:39 . Sin may be summarized as threefold: An act, the violation of, or want of obedience to the revealed will of God; a state, absence of righteousness; a nature, enmity toward God.

Verse Meaning

By using the term "brother" Jesus encouraged a humble approach. The disciples should deal with each other as brothers rather than as superiors and inferiors (cf. 1 Timothy 5:1-2). Contextually the sin in view is probably despising a brother or sister. However, Jesus did not specify what it was, but He implied that it was any sin that takes the disciple away from the Shepherd. Jesus commanded His disciples to go to such a person and reprove him in private. The disciple must take the initiative and confront (cf. Galatians 6:1).
". . . if it is hard to accept a rebuke, even a private one, it is harder still to administer one in loving humility." [1]
"The possession of humility is proven not by passively waiting for one to beg forgiveness and then granting it. Rather, it is manifested by actively seeking out the erring brother and attempting to make him penitent." [2]
The verb "reprove" or "show him his fault" (Gr. elencho) means "to convict" in the sense of producing an awareness of guilt, not in the sense of lording it over someone (cf. 1 Corinthians 9:19-22; 1 Peter 3:1). The objective should be the erring brother or sister"s restoration, not the initiator"s glorification (cf. Luke 17:3-4; 2 Thessalonians 3:14-15; James 5:19-20). This approach was one that the Mosaic Law had taught too ( Leviticus 19:17), and that the Rabbis also supported. [3] .
"Sin, of whatever form, is not to be tolerated within the disciple community, but is to be dealt with when it is noticed. But this is to be done with sensitivity and with a minimum of publicity." [4]

Context Summary

Matthew 18:10-20 - Saving The Straying
How tenderly the Master speaks of the children! We must turn back to become like them, Matthew 18:3. To cause them to stumble is to incur terrible penalties, Matthew 18:6. Not one of them is to be despised, Matthew 18:10. Each has an angel from the Father's presence chamber-one of the most exalted-to take charge of him, Matthew 18:10. To seek and to save one of these, the Good Shepherd is prepared to traverse the mountain paths, Matthew 18:12. It is not the Father's will that one should perish.
When we have sinned against our brother, we must seek him out and be reconciled. See Matthew 5:23-24. But when our brother has sinned against us, we are to make three efforts before we give him up as hopeless. It is the presence of Jesus with His people that brings them into unison with the unseen world, so that their decisions and prayers are simultaneous with the divine mind. The Advocate-Paraclete in our hearts is at one with the Advocate-Paraclete on the throne, John 14:16. [source]

Chapter Summary: Matthew 18

1  Jesus warns his disciples to be humble and harmless,
7  to avoid offenses,
10  and not to despise the little ones;
15  teaches how we are to deal with our brothers when they offend us,
21  and how often to forgive them;
23  which he sets forth by a parable of the king who took account of his servants,
32  and punished him who showed no mercy to his fellow servant

Greek Commentary for Matthew 18:15

If thy brother sin against thee [εαν αμαρτησηι αδελπος σου]
Literally, commit a sin (ingressive aorist subjunctive of αμαρτανω — hamartanō). Aleph B Sahidic do not have “against thee” (εις σε — eis se). [source]
Shew him his fault [ελεγχον]
Such private reproof is hard to do, but it is the way of Christ. Thou hast gained (εκερδησας — ekerdēsas). Aorist active indicative of κερδαινω — kerdainō in conclusion of a third-class condition, a sort of timeless aorist, a blessed achievement already made. [source]
Thou hast gained [εκερδησας]
Aorist active indicative of κερδαινω — kerdainō in conclusion of a third-class condition, a sort of timeless aorist, a blessed achievement already made. [source]
Go [ὕπαγε]
Do not wait for him to come to you. [source]
Tell him his fault [ἔλεγξον]
Rev., shew him. The verb means, first, to test, try, search out; therefore, to cross-examine with a view of convincing or refuting; thence to rebuke or chide. The Rev. shew is better than tell, which implies merely naming the fault; whereas the injunction is, go and prove to him how he has erred. Wyc., reprove, with snub as explanation. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Matthew 18:15

Matthew 18:21 Until seven times? [εως επτακισ]
His question goes back to Matthew 18:15. “Against me” is genuine here. “The man who asks such a question does not really know what forgiveness means” (Plummer). [source]
Luke 3:19 Reproved [ελεγχομενος]
Present passive participle of ελεγχω — elegchō an old verb meaning in Homer to treat with contempt, then to convict (Matthew 18:15), to expose (Ephesians 5:11), to reprove as here. The substantive ελεγχος — elegchos means proof (Hebrews 11:1) and ελεγμος — elegmos censure (2 Timothy 3:16). Josephus (Ant. XVIII. V.4) shows how repulsive this marriage was to Jewish feeling. Evil things Incorporated into the relative sentence. The word is from πονοσ πονεω — ponosclass="normal greek">οπταλμος πονηρος — poneō toil, work, and gives the active side of evil, possibly with the notion of work itself as evil or at least an annoyance. The “evil eye” In Matthew 6:23 it is a diseased eye. So Satan is “the evil one” (Matthew 5:37; Matthew 6:13, etc.). It is a very common adjective in the N.T. as in the older Greek. [source]
Acts 18:28 Convinced [διακατηλέγχετο]
Only here in New Testament. See on tell him his fault, Matthew 18:15. The compound here is a very strong expression for thorough confutation. Confute (Rev.) is better than convince. Note the prepositions. He confuted them thoroughly ( διά )against ( κατά ) all their arguments. [source]
1 Corinthians 9:19 Gain [κεδήσω]
Carrying out the thought of servant in 1 Corinthians 9:18. “He refuses payment in money that he may make the greater gain in souls. But the gain is that which a faithful steward makes, not for himself, but for his master” (Edwards). The word is not, as Godet, to be limited to its purely natural meaning, but is used in the sense of Matthew 18:15; 1 Peter 3:1. [source]
1 Corinthians 14:24 Convinced [ἐλέγχεται]
Of his sins. See on tell him his fault, Matthew 18:15; see on convinced, James 2:9; see on reproved, John 3:20. Rev., reproved: convicted in margin. [source]
1 Corinthians 9:19 I brought myself under bondage [εμαυτον εδουλωσα]
Voluntary bondage, I enslaved myself to all, though free. Causative verb in οω — ̇oō The more Than he could have done otherwise. Every preacher faces this problem of his personal attitude and conduct. Note κερδησω — kerdēsō (as in 1 Corinthians 9:20, 1 Corinthians 9:21, 1 Corinthians 9:22, but once ινα κερδανω — hina kerdanō in 1 Corinthians 9:21, regular liquid future of κερδαινω — kerdainō) with ινα — hina is probably future active indicative (James 4:13), though Ionic aorist active subjunctive from κερδαω — kerdaō is possible (Matthew 18:15). “He refuses payment in money that he may make the greater gain in souls” (Edwards). [source]
Titus 3:10 Refuse [παραιτου]
Present middle imperative of παραιτεω — paraiteō to ask from, to beg off from. See same form in 1 Timothy 4:7; 1 Timothy 5:11. Possibly an allusion here to Christ‘s directions in Matthew 18:15-17. [source]
Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is [εστιν δε πιστις]
He has just said that “we are of faith” (Hebrews 10:39), not of apostasy. Now he proceeds in a chapter of great eloquence and passion to illustrate his point by a recital of the heroes of faith whose example should spur them to like loyalty now. The assurance of things hoped for υπιστημι — Hupostasis is a very common word from Aristotle on and comes from υπο — huphistēmi See the philosophical use of it in Hebrews 1:3, the sense of assurance (une assurance certaine, Menegoz) in Hebrews 3:14, that steadiness of mind which holds one firm (2 Corinthians 9:4). It is common in the papyri in business documents as the basis or guarantee of transactions. “And as this is the essential meaning in Hebrews 11:1 we venture to suggest the translation ‹Faith is the title-deed of things hoped for‘” (Moulton and Milligan, Vocabulary, etc.). The proving of things not seen The only N.T. example of ελεγμον — elegchos (except Textus Receptus in 2 Timothy 3:16 for ελεγχω — elegmon). Old and common word from elegchō (Matthew 18:15) for “proof” and then for “conviction.” Both uses occur in the papyri and either makes sense here, perhaps “conviction” suiting better though not in the older Greek. [source]
1 Peter 3:1 Be won [κερδηθήσονται]
Rev., be gained. The word used by Christ, Matthew 18:15: “gained thy brother.” [source]
1 Peter 3:1 Ye wives [γυναικες]
Without article. About wives see note on Colossians 3:18; and note on Ephesians 5:22; and note on Titus 2:4.To your own husbands (τοις ιδιοις ανδρασιν — tois idiois andrasin). Ιδιοις — Idiois occurs also in Ephesians and Titus, but not in Colossians. It strengthens the idea of possession in the article τοις — tois Wives are not enjoined to be in subjection to the husbands of other women, as some think it fine to be (affinities!)Even if any obey not the word Condition of first class and dative case of λογος — logos (1 Peter 1:23, 1 Peter 1:25; 1 Peter 2:8), that is, remain heathen.That they be gained (ινα κερδητησονται — hina kerdēthēsontai). Purpose clause with ινα — hina and first future passive indicative of κερδαινω — kerdainō old verb, to gain (from κερδος — kerdos gain, interest) as in Matthew 18:15. See the future with ινα — hina also in Luke 20:10; Revelation 3:9.Without the word Probably here “word from their wives” (Hart), the other sense of λογος — logos (talk, not technical “word of God”).By the behaviour of their wives (δια της των γυναικων αναστροπης — dia tēs tōn gunaikōn anastrophēs). Won by pious living, not by nagging. Many a wife has had this blessed victory of grace. [source]
1 Peter 3:1 Even if any obey not the word [και ει τινες απειτουσιν τωι λογωι]
Condition of first class and dative case of λογος — logos (1 Peter 1:23, 1 Peter 1:25; 1 Peter 2:8), that is, remain heathen.That they be gained (ινα κερδητησονται — hina kerdēthēsontai). Purpose clause with ινα — hina and first future passive indicative of κερδαινω — kerdainō old verb, to gain (from κερδος — kerdos gain, interest) as in Matthew 18:15. See the future with ινα — hina also in Luke 20:10; Revelation 3:9.Without the word Probably here “word from their wives” (Hart), the other sense of λογος — logos (talk, not technical “word of God”).By the behaviour of their wives (δια της των γυναικων αναστροπης — dia tēs tōn gunaikōn anastrophēs). Won by pious living, not by nagging. Many a wife has had this blessed victory of grace. [source]
1 Peter 3:1 That they be gained [ινα κερδητησονται]
Purpose clause with ινα — hina and first future passive indicative of κερδαινω — kerdainō old verb, to gain (from κερδος — kerdos gain, interest) as in Matthew 18:15. See the future with ινα — hina also in Luke 20:10; Revelation 3:9. [source]

What do the individual words in Matthew 18:15 mean?

If now sins against you the brother of you go reprove him between you and him alone If you he will hear you have gained the brother
Ἐὰν δὲ ἁμαρτήσῃ ‹εἰς σὲ› ἀδελφός σου ὕπαγε ἔλεγξον αὐτὸν μεταξὺ σοῦ καὶ αὐτοῦ μόνου ἐάν σου ἀκούσῃ ἐκέρδησας τὸν ἀδελφόν

δὲ  now 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: δέ  
Sense: but, moreover, and, etc.
ἁμαρτήσῃ  sins 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Subjunctive Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: ἁμαρτάνω  
Sense: to be without a share in.
‹εἰς  against 
Parse: Preposition
Root: εἰς  
Sense: into, unto, to, towards, for, among.
ἀδελφός  brother 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: ἀδελφός  
Sense: a brother, whether born of the same two parents or only of the same father or mother.
σου  of  you 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive 2nd Person Singular
Root: σύ  
Sense: you.
ὕπαγε  go 
Parse: Verb, Present Imperative Active, 2nd Person Singular
Root: ὑπάγω  
Sense: to lead under, bring under.
ἔλεγξον  reprove 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Imperative Active, 2nd Person Singular
Root: ἐλέγχω  
Sense: to convict, refute, confute.
μεταξὺ  between 
Parse: Preposition
Root: μεταξύ  
Sense: between.
μόνου  alone 
Parse: Adjective, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: μόνος  
Sense: alone (without a companion), forsaken, destitute of help, alone, only, merely.
ἀκούσῃ  he  will  hear 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Subjunctive Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: ἀκουστός 
Sense: to be endowed with the faculty of hearing, not deaf.
ἐκέρδησας  you  have  gained 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 2nd Person Singular
Root: ἐπικερδαίνω 
Sense: to gain, acquire, to get gain.
ἀδελφόν  brother 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: ἀδελφός  
Sense: a brother, whether born of the same two parents or only of the same father or mother.