Matthew 18:17

And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

Matthew 18:17 (KJV)

Context

In Matthew 18, Jesus teaches His disciples about life in the Christian community, including humility, forgiveness, and the restoration of those who sin. Verses 15-16 establish the first steps of dealing with a fault: a private conversation, then the involvement of one or two witnesses. Verse 17 gives the next step when the erring person refuses to listen.

Meaning

Jesus says that if the person will not hear the witnesses, the matter is to be told to the church. The word “church” here means the assembled believers, or their authorized representatives, who are to hear the case and seek resolution. If the person refuses to hear the church as well, they are to be regarded as “a heathen man and a publican”—that is, as someone outside the fellowship of faith. This does not mean the church should treat them with cruelty, but that their unrepentant state places them outside the community until they repent.

Biblical connections

The comparison to a publican is significant because Matthew, the author of this Gospel, was himself a former tax collector who repented and received mercy from Christ. This connection shows that the goal of this discipline is not exclusion for its own sake, but the hope of repentance and restoration. The process moves from private confrontation to public accountability, with the final step being a clear designation of the person’s standing relative to the community.

Application

This verse teaches the importance of addressing sin within the church in a loving and accountable manner. The church has a responsibility to prayerfully consider such matters, offer counsel, and work toward restoration. When someone refuses to repent, the community must take the difficult step of treating them as an outsider, not to condemn them permanently, but to encourage them to return to right relationship with God and His people.

Reflection

Jesus’ instruction is restorative in intent. The goal is not to cast someone out forever, but to bring them back. This calls for humility and love in every step of the process, remembering that even a publican can repent and be welcomed home.