Godless Publicans
About the Author
Ben spends most of his time working with underprivileged kids in Tijuana, Mexico, encouraging them to continue their education. He's an unofficial member of Iglesia Bautista Monte Horeb, which runs the elementary school, Centro Pedagógico Didaque.
If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.Matthew 18:15-17
So how should we treat a pagan or tax collector? The Living Bible Paraphrased says, “the church should excommunicate him.” I think this is the general sentiment I grew up with—the idea that, if a member is in sin and refuses to turn from it after the prescribed steps are followed, he or she should be thrown from the church. However, the footnote adds: “Literally, ‘let him be to you as the Gentile and the publican.’” All other versions I came across provide nearly the same translation.
So the question remains, how should you treat a gentile or, even worse (to the Jews), a tax collector? Well, Jesus made the statement, so how did he treat them? The answer is clear: in mercy and love. Two obvious examples (and there are more) display Jesus’ approach:
- Gentiles: the Roman centurion (Matt. 8).
- Tax Collectors: Matthew himself!
Matthew 18:15-17 is not directly related to missions. But what happens if, on the mission field, you’re involved in a local church or even leading a church? This is your church for the duration of your stay; thus this passage is directly applicable (when needed) to missionaries abroad. And I’m starting to wonder if kicking someone out of the church is truly the biblical approach.
In cross-cultural church settings, a different hierarchy of sins is noticed. (Don’t think a scale doesn’t exist in your country.) So when, in your eyes, that “shocking” sin is not addressed as harshly as it would back home (i.e., excommunication), maybe it’s time to address the sinner biblically—not culturally.
November 21st, 2006 at 10:51 am
This topic has come up a few times in comments on my blog; what to do with a believer - or someone who at least professes to be a believer, yet rejects biblical correction from the church.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary includes this comment on that passage of scripture:
So I think putting them out is the clearly biblical thing to do - but my understanding of what that means is from any position of authority, teaching, etc. Let them be a guest. Revoke their membership, don’t let them take part in any voting or decision-making, etc. Treat them as you would an unbeliever that you want to show the love of Christ to; don’t shun them. And wait for repentance when they can be restored gently back into the church.
November 22nd, 2006 at 8:06 pm
Hi Laura, great blog you have.
I think I’m in agreement with you. Paul’s rebuke of the church in Corinth is very firm; and sheds light on Jesus’s words. “Putting them out…[of] any position of authority” seems to be a Christ-like response.