Inigo Montoya said, “You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.” It is one of the funny lines of the movie The Princess Bride. The truth is, sometimes we do the same with verses and texts in the bible. We want to take a fresh look at verses we think we know, but that context says means something different than we usually proclaim.
Such is the case of today’s verse. Perhaps you have heard it said when someone was talking about how special a gathering was. Maybe you have heard it used by someone who was trying to justify skipping the weekly assembly. It could be that you have even heard some well-meaning brother pray, “We are thankful that when two or more are gathered in your name, you are right here with us.” Is it true that in Matthew 18:20, Jesus is talking about his presence when we gather in his name?
First, we must look at the context. Matthew 18:15-17 is giving us a formula for what to do when a brother is guilty of sin. It is a four-step process.
- Show him in private (v.15). It shows the person in sin that your objective is helping them because you love them. Your goal is to win back a brother.
- Take one or two more with you (v.16). This is an appeal back to Deuteronomy 19:15 in order to have two to three witnesses. Again, the objective is not gossip. It is winning back a brother.
- Tell it to the church. Now you have the entire family of God working to bring this one back. Note: be sure not to tell it to the church and visitors. This is a family matter, so keep it strictly within the family.
- Treat them as one who is no longer considered to be part of God’s family. This is not an easy step, but when it becomes necessary, it can work.
In verses 18-19, Jesus is not telling the apostles they can make up whatever laws they would like. Jesus is Lord, not the apostles. Stay in context. When the church has made this decision, having followed the steps Jesus has outlined, that decision is bound in Heaven. The consequences for one staying in sin are not only felt on earth, but they bear eternal weight as well.
Then we get to our verse, Matthew 18:20. What is Jesus saying? He is telling us that we are not to let someone stay as part of the family that God has ruled not a part of His family. Because the “two or three witnesses” have established the matter in the congregation, the decision was made. It was not only a congregational decision but also a heavenly one. So, if you go against the decision, you are not just going against the congregation. You are also going against the Lord.
Our verse is followed by the parable of the unmerciful servant (vv.21-35). Again, the context is about how we deal with those in sin, not our assemblies.
Sometimes a single verse may seem to have a plain meaning. However, when we look at that verse in its context we see something more. Then we are able to reboot the verse to perform how the Lord intended.
Corey Sawyers