This might at first glance seem out of place with the earlier passages.  But with further examination it fits well with what has been spoken by the Lord.  Jesus has gone into detail about not offending, causing to stumble, other brethren.  He then talks about the great value of just one of these "little ones" in the sight of God.  In this section he takes up the procedure to be used when one brother has offended another.  Instead of leaving the church or getting mad this procedure should be used. 
    Remember, these procedures envision a dispute between brethren, not an open, flagrant sin.  These verses also do not envision those who would teach false doctrine publicly.  While these verse represent valuable principles when dealing with an erring brother, we should realize that there may be times when we might be forced to take quicker, direct action to exercise discipline. 

NOTE: JESUS IS SPEAKING IN BOTH THE PRESENT AND FUTURE SENSES.  THE PRINCIPLES OF PROBLEM RESOLUTION SPOKEN OF HERE COULD BE USED BY THE DISCIPLES IN THE PRESENT.  BUT JESUS ALSO SPEAKS OF THE CHURCH, SOMETHING THAT WAS YET IN THE FUTURE.  THIS SHOWED THAT JESUS WAS LAYING THE GROUNDWORK FOR HIS CHURCH THAT HE SPOKE OF IN MATTHEW CHAPTER 16. 

Verse 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."
    A. "If thy brother shall trespass against thee" 
        1. This is dealing with disputes between individual brethren. 
        2. This is not specificly speaking of doctrinal disputes, such as the teaching of false 
            doctrine. 
    B. This is showing that we should be concerned about our relationships with our 
         brethren. 
        1. See also Matthew 5:23,24 
        2. The basic thrust is to not let any problem between brethren cause a soul to be lost. 
    C. This passage prohibits the spreading of false and malicious gossip about brethren. 
        1. He says to first, "go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone." 
        2. This is to begin as a private rebuke, exhortation, plea. 
        3. Must be done in the spirit of meekness. 
            a. Galatians 6:1 
    D. "If he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother" 
        1. If he shall repent and seek your, and God's, forgiveness. 
        2. This is showing the great joy of restoring a brother who has been lost. 
            a. James 5:19,20 
            b. Jude 22,23 
        3. "A quarrel is a lose to both parties; a reconciliation is a gain for both." 
            (Pulpit Commentary) 

Verse 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."
    A. "But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more"
        1. Those brethren who accompanied might win the erring brother. 
        2. These other brethren might have some influence over the erring             brother that perhaps you might not have. 
    B. "That in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established." 
        1. Found in Deut. 19:15; John 8:17; 2 Corinthians 13:1. 
        2. This is for a legal purpose. 
        3. If this quarrel need be taken before the church there are those who can testify 
        as to the circumstances of the problem. 
    C. Purpose of witnesses  (Wendell Winkler) 
        1. The facts of the matter would need to be verified before it were brought 
         before the church. 
        2. Will more quickly lead the erring brother to repentance. 
        3. May help arbitrate the matter at hand and suggest solutions. 
        4. Could establish the innocence of the other party. 
        5. Could serve as the preparation for the next step. 

Verse 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."
    A. "And if he shall neglect to hear them" 
        1. After you have personally tried to resolve the matter, after other brethren have 
             gone, if it has not been resolved, it is time for the congregation to settle it. 
    B. "If he neglect to hear the church" 
        1. This is a brother/sister who does not intend to repent/settle a problem, 
             even after every avenue has been exhausted. 
        2. This is the brother/sister who thumbs his nose at the Lord and the church. 
        3. He knows his sin but refuses to repent. 
    C. "let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican." 
        1. He must be excluded from the fellowship of faithful Christians. 
        2. A heathen man was one who was not part of the congregation of Israel. 
        3. A publican was a Jew, who by his actions, cut himself from the congregation 
           of Israel. 
    D. Some other verses that deal with church discipline. 
        1. Romans 16:17 
        2. 1 Corinthians 5:1-7 
        3. 2 Thessalonians 3:14,15 
    E. This, of course, did not mean that the erring Christian would be "shunned" and not 
        allowed back in the fellowship if there were repentance. 
        1. The whole practice of discipline is for the purpose of bringing repentance. 
        2. See 1 Corinthians 5:5, 2 Thessalonians 3:14,15 
 
 

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