Commentary on the Four Gospel Books
The Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ
G083 How to Handle Sin in the Church
Parable of the Unforgiving Servant
Matthew 18:15-35

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All the Bible verses quoted in this article are from the King James Version, unless otherwise noted.

Matthew 18:15-35

15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.

16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.

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.

18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of My Father which is in heaven.

20 For where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them.

21 Then came Peter to Him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?

22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.

23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.

24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.

25 But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.

26 The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.

27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.

28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.

29 And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.

30 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.

31 So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.

32 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:

33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?

34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.

35 So likewise shall My heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.

In this lesson, we will learn together about how to handle sin in the Church, according to the teachings of the Lord Jesus and the parable of the unforgiving servant.

Matthew 18:15-16

15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.

16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.

The act of “trespass against thee” primarily refers to doing something contrary to the Word of God, causing offense or harm to us. Actions contrary to the Word of God often occur among God’s people against each other, including slander, false accusations, evil suspicion, lying, envy, oppression, abuse, contempt, and so on. However, “trespass against thee” also encompasses any sin committed by anyone in the Church, even if it does not directly offend or harm us. Such sins tarnish the name of the Lord and the Church, bringing *God’s rebuke upon the congregation. For example, stealing from a supermarket, lying to a boss at work, or secretly viewing pornographic websites.

Therefore, we must not only confront sin when it directly affects us, but we also have a duty to rebuke any brother or sister we see falling into it.

The command “Go” implies that we must take the initiative to help our brothers and sisters resolve their sin. Sin must be dealt with immediately, just like treating food poisoning or a snakebite. No one would leave acid on their hand without washing it off right away, for delay could cause the acid to burn through the flesh to the bone. Sin leads to death, and therefore it must be addressed as soon as it is discovered.

The phrase “tell him his fault” was translated from the verb “rebuke” (G1651) in the original Greek of the Bible, which has the following meanings [1]:

I. To condemn, reject, or prove wrong

1. Often with the implication of shame for the one condemned

2. By persuasion, bringing to light, or exposing the truth

II. To find fault and correct

1. Through words:

a) To sternly reprimand, rebuke, or remind

b) To hold accountable, point out errors, or demand an explanation

2. Through actions:

a) To admonish or discipline

We understand that the meaning intended in the Lord’s teaching is that through words, we are to rebuke and remind the sinner of their sin. To rebuke means to speak frankly to the person, letting them know that their actions were against the Word of God. To remind means to remind them that God’s people must live according to the Word of God, and when they fall into sin, they must repent immediately. Luke 17:3 records the Lord Jesus teaching the disciples to rebuke the sinners and forgive those who repent.

The first step in addressing sin in the Church is to do so privately between us and the person who sinned. However, if the sin was committed publicly in the Church, it must be publicly rebuked before the Church, as the Apostle Paul rebuked the Apostle Peter before the Church in Antioch (Galatians 2:11-14).

If the person repents, they are forgiven by the Lord, and we do not lose a brother or sister. But if they do not repent, we must bring along one or two others from the Church and go to the person again to urge them to repent. We, along with the one or two others, will serve as witnesses to whether the person repents or not.

Matthew 18:17

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.

If the person who sinned still refuses to repent, we have the duty to inform the Church, beginning with notifying the elders, so that the elders can bring the matter before the Church. If the issue has been presented to the Church and the sinner still does not repent, the Church must treat that person as an unbeliever and someone to avoid. This means the Church must excommunicate them.

To treat someone “as an heathen man” means to regard them as someone without faith in the Lord and no longer belonging to the Church.

To treat them “as a publican” (a tax collector) means to view them as someone who deliberately lives in sin and opposes the Church, someone who must be avoided. During the time of the Lord Jesus, those who collected taxes for the Roman government were despised by the Israelites, shunned, and avoided, except when necessary to meet them to pay taxes. This was because tax collectors in those days abused the authority granted by the Romans to exploit the Israelites.

For those who are stubborn and unrepentant, we must avoid them to prevent their influence from affecting us and to avoid giving the impression to outsiders that they are still part of the Church. The Word of God in 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 instructs us to separate from such individuals.

However, God’s people should not harbor anger or hatred toward those who are excommunicated. The Word of God teaches:

“Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him.” (Leviticus 19:17)

In urgent circumstances where they need help, we should still assist them.

Matthew 18:18

18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

“Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth” and “whatsoever ye shall loose on earth” refer both to the withholding or proclaiming of a certain truth of the Scriptures and to the forgiveness or retention of sins. In this particular teaching of the Lord Jesus, it refers to the forgiveness and retention of sins, similar to His words recorded by the Apostle John:

“Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.” (John 20:23)

For those who sin and do not repent, the Church has the right and duty to declare their sin and excommunicate them (1 Corinthians 5:13). For those who have been excommunicated but later genuinely repent, the Church has the authority to forgive and receive them back into the Church (2 Corinthians 2:5-11).

Matthew 18:18 and John 20:23 affirm that the authority to forgive sins and retain sins belongs to the Church, not solely to those who hold positions granted by the Lord within the Church.

Matthew 18:19-20

19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of My Father which is in heaven.

20 For where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them.

Fellowship requires at least two people. Fellowship has been necessary for humanity since the beginning of creation when God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him” (Genesis 2:18). Fellowship brings joy, comfort, encouragement, and an increase in the capacity to work and fight for humanity.

“How should one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight, except their Rock had sold them, and the LORD had shut them up?” (Deuteronomy 32:30).

“Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10)

“And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” ( Ecclesiastes 4:12)

“Two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask” means that two people who genuinely believe in the Lord and live according to His Word are in agreement about something they want *God to do for them. Of course, what they desire must align with the Word of God.

Today, many of God’s people do not come together in unity to ask *God for their needs. As a result, they have not experienced the abundant gifts of *God in their lives.

The words of the Lord Jesus recorded in Matthew 18:20 imply that wherever and whenever two people gather in His name, He will be present among them. This is the gathering of the Church. The Church is not a building or any place that God’s people choose as a meeting place. The Church is not a religious organization. Rather, the Church is the gathering of two or more people in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, the gathering of a husband and his wife, a mother and her child, a master and his servant, or any two people in the name of the Lord, if they sincerely believe in Him and live according to His Word, constitutes the gathering of the Church, and they are the Church.

Matthew 18:21-22

21 Then came Peter to Him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?

22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.

Since the Lord Jesus was teaching the disciples how to address sin in the Church, the Apostle Peter asked Him a very practical question. He wanted to know how many times he should forgive a brother or sister who sins against him, was it up to seven times? Peter understood the number seven literally. If the number seven is understood figuratively, meaning completeness in a spiritual sense, then forgiving others up to seven times means completely forgiving without limits.

The Lord Jesus’ answer should not also be understood literally as 490 times. Instead, it should be interpreted figuratively, meaning absolute forgiveness without a specified number of times. Seventy is ten times seven. Figuratively, the number ten represents completeness in quantity. “Seventy times seven” is an ancient idiom implying absolute and unlimited forgiveness. In Genesis 4:24, the words of Lamech, the fifth generation of Cain, are recorded, stating that if Cain is avenged seven times, then Lamech seventy-seven times.

When God’s people forgive someone “seventy times seven,” it means they are always willing to forgive. Being willing to forgive implies having the intention to forgive even before the offense occurs. This is how *God relates to humanity, and those who are born again are like *God in their willingness to forgive. In reality, when we truly love our fellow believers more than ourselves, we are always ready to forgive them. However, forgiveness is granted only when the sinner repents.

When considering how *God forgives us for our sins, it is clear that He has and continues to forgive us more than 490 times. *God’s forgiveness is limitless if we sincerely repent and confess our sins to Him. Isaiah 1:16-18 speaks of the boundless love and mercy of *God toward those who genuinely repent of their sins.

Matthew 18:23-25

23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.

24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.

25 But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.

Immediately following His teaching to the disciples about unlimited forgiveness for those who sin against them, the Lord Jesus told them a parable about a servant who lacked mercy toward his fellow worker. The parable recounts the story of a king who examined the records of debts owed by his servants. The king found that one servant owed him ten thousand talents and summoned him to question him about repaying the debt. However, the servant was unable to repay the debt. Therefore, he, along with his wife and children and all his remaining possessions, were to be sold to repay the debt. This means that not only did the servant lose everything he had, but he and his family were also sold into slavery.

A talent is a unit of measurement that originated in Egypt, primarily used to measure precious metals such as gold, silver, and bronze. Sometimes, it was also used to measure lead and iron. The talent mentioned in the parable is likely referring to a talent of silver. One talent of silver is equivalent to 75 pounds or 34 kilograms. In the time of the Lord Jesus, one talent of silver was equivalent to 6,000 denarii. A denarius was the wage for a normal day’s labor. Therefore, one talent of silver corresponds to the wage for 6,000 days, or the wage for 20 years, assuming one worked 300 days a year. Ten thousand talents of silver amount to the wage for 200,000 years. This implies that the debt was exceedingly large and unpayable.

In the time of the Lord Jesus, the selling price for a male slave ranged from 500 to 2,000 denarii, depending on the time, age, health, and skills; a female slave ranged from 300 to 1,500 denarii; and a child slave ranged from 200 to 500 denarii. Thus, even if the servant and his family were sold into slavery, the amount received to repay the debt would be minimal compared to the total debt.

Matthew 18:26-27

26 The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.

27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.

When he heard that he, along with his wife, his children, and his possessions, would be sold to repay the debt, the servant fell down before his master, pleading for the master’s patience and asking for more time to repay the debt. This was merely a desperate plea to avoid disaster for himself and his family. In reality, when a person has nothing to repay, it is nearly impossible to pay off such a large debt. However, the master was moved with compassion, set the servant free, and forgave his debt.

At the beginning of the parable, the Lord Jesus indicates that there was a king examining the records of debts owed by his servants. But afterward, He no longer mentions the title of king, instead referring to him simply as “lord” to emphasize the practical relationship between the creditor and the debtor. We do not know why the servant incurred such a large debt. It is possible that the servant was in charge of managing the king’s business but repeatedly failed in his dealings, resulting in the loss of a significant amount of capital.

The talent in the Bible is also likened to the gifts that *God grants to His people, and they have the duty to profit from them for Him. The talents that *God bestows upon His people include time, health, wisdom, talent, status, reputation, money, and material wealth. Additionally, children are also considered talents that God gives to His people, and perhaps they are the most precious talents, called an inheritance from the Self-Existing and Eternal One, as a reward from Him (Psalm 127:3).

Matthew 18:28-30

28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.

29 And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.

30 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.

In great joy at being set free by his master and having his large debt forgiven, the servant went on his way. But when he encountered a fellow servant who also served the king, someone who owed him only 100 denarii (pence), he aggressively seized him by the throat and demanded that he repay the debt. The friend fell down and pleaded for patience, just as the servant had pleaded with his master. However, he showed no mercy and had his friend thrown into prison until he could pay back the debt.

He should have been joyful and shared the mercy his master had shown him with his friend. He should have brought the good news of his own forgiveness to his friend and declared that he was forgiving the debt, just as his master had forgiven him.

Matthew 18:31-33

31 So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.

32 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:

33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?

The other fellow servants saw what had happened and were very distressed, so they went to their master and reported everything that had taken place. The master summoned the servant and rebuked him for not showing mercy to his friend, just as he had received mercy from the master.

Everyone needs to have compassion for others, as *God has shown compassion to them. No matter how much someone owes us in this life, it pales in comparison to the debt we owe to *God, as we have not lived according to His Word and have not honored His name, which is the purpose for which He created us and entrusted us with talents. If we have received *God’s complete forgiveness for our offenses against Him, we must also fully forgive those who offend us. To forgive us, *God sacrificed His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. To forgive anyone who wrongs us, we too must sacrifice something of our own.

Matthew 18:34-35

34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.

35 So likewise shall My heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.

Of course, the unforgiving servant could not answer his master’s question. The consequence of his lack of mercy resulted in him being imprisoned for life, as there was no way he could repay his debt to his master.

The Lord Jesus concluded that *God will also not forgive those who do not show forgiveness to their brothers and sisters. Forgiveness must come from the heart, meaning it arises from love, empathy, and compassion. It is also the intention to do for others what one wishes others would do for oneself (Matthew 7:12).

Many people may outwardly claim to forgive, but inwardly they hold onto anger and hatred. Hatred towards brothers and sisters in the Lord is equated with the sin of murder (1 John 3:15).

Those who are not forgiven by *God will suffer eternally in hell.

We conclude this lesson here.

May the Holy Spirit guide us into all the truths of God’s Word (John 16:13). May the Word of God sanctify us (John 17:17). May the Faithful *God of Peace Himself sanctify our spirit, soul, and body entirely, without blame (1 Thessalonians 5:23), at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, our Beloved Savior. Amen!

Timothy Christian Huynh
Priscilla Christian Huynh
10/12/2024

Notes:

[1] https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g1651/kjv/tr/0-1/

About Using “*God” and “holy spirit”

Wherever the Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts of the Bible uses a definite article with a noun to denote GOD, we translate it into English as *God or “the God” to refer to God the Father. We understand that “God,” without a definite article, was used as a collective noun for all and any of the three Persons of the Godhead. And “God,” with a definite article, was used to refer to God the Father.

In the Greek manuscripts of the New Testament, the term “holy spirit” (πνευματι αγιω) without the definite article “the” (το) is used to denote the power of God, which is given by God the Holy Spirit. “The Holy Spirit” (το πνευματι το αγιω) is God, and “holy spirit” (πνευματι αγιω) is the power that comes from God.