Matthew 18:17 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →If he still refuses, bring it to the assembly; persistent refusal sets him outside fellowship.
What Does Matthew 18:17 Mean?
The final step widens to the whole gathered community. If the brother will not hear even them, he is to be regarded as an outsider, like a heathen or a tax collector. The bond of fellowship, refused on his side, is acknowledged as broken.
Yet even this is not the end of love. Jesus elsewhere ate with tax collectors and sinners and came to seek them. To treat someone as an outsider is to recognize the breach honestly while leaving the door of return open. The whole process, from private word to public appeal, has aimed at winning the brother, and the hope of his return never fully closes.
Matthew 18:17 in the Original Language
ekklesia (ἐκκλησία), 'church' -- the gathered assembly of God's people.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew 18:17
What does Matthew 18:17 mean?
If he still refuses, bring it to the assembly; persistent refusal sets him outside fellowship.