Commentary on a Harmony of the Evangelists Matthew Mark and Luke John Calvin (continued)
Matthew 18:15-20; Luke 17:3
Matthew 18:15-20; Luke 17:3
Matthew 18:15-20
Luke 17:3
15. But if thy brother hath sinned against thee, go and reprove him between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. 16. But if he shall not hear thee, take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be confirmed: and if he shall not hear them, tell the church. 17. And if he shall not hear the church, let him be to thee as a heathen and a publican. 18. Verily, I say to thee, What things soever you shall bind on earth 1157 shall be bound also in heaven; and what things soever you shall loose on earth shall be loosed also in heaven. 19. Again, I say to you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as to every thing which they shall ask, 1158 it will be done to them by any
Father who is in heaven. 20. For where two or three are assembled 1159 in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
3. Be on your guard. If thy brother shall sin against thee, reprove him; and if he shall repent, forgive him.
Matthew 18:15. But if thy brother shall sin against thee. As he had discoursed about bearing the infirmities of brethren, he now shows more clearly in what manner, and for what purpose, and to what extent, we ought to bear with them. For otherwise it would have been easy to reply, that there is no other way of avoiding offenses, than by every man winking at the faults of others, and thus what is evil would be encouraged by forbearance. Christ therefore prescribes a middle course, which does not give too great offense to the weak, and yet is adapted to cure their diseases; for that severity which is employed as a medicine is profitable and worthy of praise.
In short, Christ enjoins his disciples to forgive one another, but to do so in such a manner as to endeavor to correct their faults. It is necessary that this be wisely observed; for nothing is more difficult than to exercise forbearance towards men, and, at the same time, not to neglect the freedom necessary in reproving them.
1157"Toutes choses que vous lierez sur la terre;" — "all things which you shall bind on earth." 1158"De toutes choses qu'ils demanderont;" — "of all things which they shall ask." 1159"Ou il y en a deux ou trois assemblez;" — "where there are two or three of them assembled."