Where the fault is plain and great, the person proper for us to deal with, and we have an opportunity for it, and there is no apparent danger of doing more hurt than good, we must with meekness and faithfulness tell people of what is amiss in them. Reviewing, then, these closing incidents of the chapter (ver. In many ways this is one of the most difficult passages to interpret in the whole of Matthew's gospel. (i) It can mean for my sake. Should there still be no change, believers should treat the offender as if no longer part of their fellowship; though they should also desire the persons repentance and restoration (Matthew 18:15-18). And the last verse actually seems to give the Church the power to retain and to forgive sins. Even if the stubborn sinner is like a tax-collector or a Gentile, you may still win him, as I have done.". There are no recriminations; there is no receiving back with a grudge and a sense of superior contempt; it is all joy. I love Jesus; He is a man's man. Ignatius was surnamed Theophoros, which means God--carried, and the tradition grew up that he had received that name because Jesus carried him on his knee. What instrument so suitable? Of course, both do preserve chronological order when it is compatible with the objects the Holy Spirit had in inspiring them; but in both the order of time is subordinated to still greater purposes which God had in view. Nevertheless, the Lord did not withhold the infinite boon, though He knew too well their thoughts; He spoke the word of forgiveness, though He read their evil heart that counted it blasphemy. So, then, they believed that every child had his guardian angel. The Lord now lets them know their mad folly, and warns them that this blasphemy was about to culminate in a still deeper, deadlier form when the Holy Ghost should be spoken against as He had been. Learn more about Stack Overflow the company, and our products. And, if a man has any conscience left, there is nothing which will haunt him more. He speaks of Israel then, and of Israel before He comes in glory, but He entirely omits any notice of the circumstances which were to come in by the way. x Maimon Hilehot Ishot, c. 12. sect. He forgives others even as God, for Christ's sake, has forgiven him. Let this be compared with, and explained by, Leviticus 19:17, Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thy heart; that is, "If thou hast conceived a displeasure at thy brother for any injury he hath done thee, do not suffer thy resentments to ripen into a secret malice (like a wound, which is most dangerous when it bleed inwardly), but give vent to them in a mild and grave admonition, let them so spend themselves, and they will expire the sooner; do not go and rail against him behind his back, but thou shalt in any ways reprove him.
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