The Pulpit Commentary — Matthew — Volume 2 — Section 231

sinner is a contingent event. Grace is not irresistible. Yet the wanderer should !>-now t_hat the Shepherd is very near hi?3-, Are ~e a.s anxiously seeking Jesus as he 1s seek mg us ? ( 4) The tender sheep 1s not dnven, but carried by Christ. " And when he bath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders" (see Luke x.v. 5). He carries ns and our sins. (5) Jesus rejoices over the conversion ot a sinner, as a shepherd over a recovered sheep; as a woman over a recovered piece of silver; as a father over a recovered son. The rejoicing affects heaven a.s well as the Church on earth. It is natural to feel uncommon joy at the fortunate accomplishment of an unexpected event, 4. The enemy. Those who would injure the sheep of Christ are special objects of his displea.5ure. (1) The nations that injured Israel of old were severely reckoned with. (2) The antichristia.n nations who persecuted his people are doomed to a fearful retribution. (3) Every contemptuous son of pride will be confronted at the judgment of the last day.-J. A. M. Vers. 15-20.-{Jhristianju<l,gment. From dealing with the offended, our Lord here passes on to the offend~ng, and he shows us how we should deal with a guilty brother, for our own sake, for his sake, for the sake of the Church, and ultimately for the ea.ke of the world. Christian judgment should be faithful, loving, spiritual. I. FAITHFUL. 1. The Christian will tell his brother his favle. (1) " If thy brother sin against thee." By fraud, defamation, affront, contempt (see Lev. vi. 1-7). (2) "If thy brother sin." Some ancient authorities omit "against thee" (see New Version margin; see also Lev. xix. 17). (3) "Tell him bis fault." This is fidelity to thyself, also to thy brother. How salutary to Dil.vid was the reproof of Nathan! 2. Be will tell it him 'before witnesses, (1) Not in the first case. Dut he will not consider bis soul clear if the offending brother be not gained by the private reproof 'Without proceeding further. (2) The witnesses chosen should be persons of credit and reputation. Troe men will not refuse to serve as witnesses in the interests of justice. (3) 'l'his precaution is due to tbe Church. The courts of the Church should not be trifled with by moving them with cases which are not ripe. 3. He will tell it to the Church. 'l'his when the minor means have been tried and failed. (1) But what is the Church? Amongst the Jews ten men were deemed sufficient to constitute a synagogue. AJJ.y number of persons met in the name or by the authority of Christ will constitute a Christian Church (see ver. 20). TelJ it to the wise among the Church. Paul speaks ironically when be says, "Set them to Judge who are lea.st esteemed in the Church." (2) Tell it to the Church in justice to the Church, that its purity may be preserved. Scandalons persons must be separated from the Church on earth, which is the type of the pnrer Church in heaven. (3) Tell it to the Church in justice to the obstinate offender, that he may be reproved before many and repent. (4) '.l'hat if he be excommunicated he may be treated as a heathen and publican. Those cast out of the kingdom of Christ belong to the kingdom of Satan, Church discipline is for Church members. The Christian is not forbidden to use civil courts against out- siders. IL LoVING, 1. Lo,,e's reason/or telling a brother his fault ia to gain him, (1) This is love's reason for going to the offender rather than waiting for him to come. " Go and tell him." It will give him opportunity for explanation. The sense of injury is often the result of sensitive self-love. (2) This is love's reason for going to him privately. It will save him the exasperation of an unnecessary public reproach. (3) The manner will accord with the object. The truth ie told in love. The fault is not unduly magnified, There is no resentment. 2. Love's reason for calling witnesses ,s sti1l to gain the brother. (1) "Take with thee one or two more." To avoid unnecessary publicity, the smallest number required to attest evidence is called.in (cf. Deut. xix.15; John viii.17; 2 Cor. :xiii. 1). (2) 'l'he witnesses may add persuasion. The offender may listen to the pleadings of disinterested persons. (3) The witnesses have the double function of seeing that the reproof is administered without malignity, and that, in rejecting it, the reproved is incorrigible. 3. Love also has reasons for tM'fl, telling it to the Ohweh. (1) The offender may hear the Church and be gained. (2) Church courts are preferred to those of the world, as more competent to deal with offences against Christian law, The more so when civil rulers were notoriously enemies of the saints. (3) 'l'he purity Qf the Christian brotherhood must be preserved. The Chnrch that condone& things ou, xvm, 1-35.] THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MATTIIEW. 225