Matthew 18:17

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} if {G1437} he shall neglect to hear {G3878} them {G846}, tell {G2036} it unto the church {G1577}: but {G1161}{G2532} if {G1437} he neglect to hear {G3878} the church {G1577}, let him be {G2077} unto thee {G4671} as {G5618} an heathen man {G1482} and {G2532} a publican {G5057}.

Complete Jewish Bible

If he refuses to hear them, tell the congregation; and if he refuses to listen even to the congregation, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax-collector.

Berean Standard Bible

If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, regard him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.

American Standard Version

And if he refuse to hear them, tell it unto the church: and if he refuse to hear the church also, let him be unto thee as the Gentile and the publican.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 18:17 concludes Jesus' teaching on church discipline, outlining the final, public step in a process designed to restore an unrepentant believer. This verse underscores the gravity of persistent sin within the community and the ultimate authority of the gathered church to address such matters, culminating in a necessary separation from fellowship for those who refuse to heed its counsel, with the underlying hope that such a stark consequence will lead to genuine repentance and reconciliation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the culmination of a carefully structured, three-step process for addressing sin within the believing community, initiated by Jesus in the preceding verses. [Matthew 18:15](/matthew/18-15 "Matthew 18:15 - Private Admonition") instructs a private confrontation between the offended and the offender. If that fails, [Matthew 18:16](/matthew/18-16 "Matthew 18:16 - Admonition with Witnesses") mandates taking "one or two more" witnesses, echoing the legal principle of establishing truth by multiple testimonies (cf. [Deuteronomy 19:15](/deuteronomy/19-15 "Deuteronomy 19:15 - Two or Three Witnesses")). Matthew 18:17 then presents the final, most severe step: bringing the matter before the entire assembly if the previous attempts at reconciliation are ignored. This progression demonstrates a profound commitment to private restoration before public exposure, emphasizing patience, love, and the preservation of relationships within the body of Christ.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In first-century Jewish society, the concept of a community assembly (synagogue or local council) holding authority over its members was well-established. The term "church" (Greek: _ekklesia_) here would have resonated with Jesus' Jewish audience as a "called-out assembly," similar to the Qahal Yahweh (assembly of the Lord) in the Old Testament. The designation "heathen man and a publican" was profoundly significant. "Heathen men" (Gentiles) were considered outside the covenant community of Israel, while "publicans" (tax collectors) were Jewish individuals despised for their collaboration with the Roman occupiers and their notorious reputation for extortion and corruption. To be treated "as" such meant being excluded from the intimate fellowship and privileges of the believing community, not necessarily as a permanent damnation, but as a severe social and spiritual ostracization intended to shock the unrepentant individual into a realization of their error and a desire for restoration.
* **Key Themes:** Matthew 18:17 profoundly contributes to several key themes within the chapter and the broader Gospel. It highlights the **authority of the church** as a divinely instituted body capable of making binding decisions on earth, a concept further elaborated in [Matthew 18:18](/matthew/18-18 "Matthew 18:18 - Binding and Loosing"). It underscores the principle of **accountability within the community**, where believers are responsible to one another and to the collective standards of the faith. While seemingly harsh, the ultimate goal of this disciplinary process is always **restoration and reconciliation**, framed within the larger context of the chapter's emphasis on humility ([Matthew 18:3-4](/matthew/18-3-4 "Matthew 18:3-4 - Humility Like a Child")), care for "little ones" ([Matthew 18:6](/matthew/18-6 "Matthew 18:6 - Causing Offense")), and boundless forgiveness ([Matthew 18:21-22](/matthew/18-21-22 "Matthew 18:21-22 - Seventy Times Seven Forgiveness")). Thus, discipline is presented not as punishment, but as a loving, albeit firm, measure to protect the purity and spiritual health of the community while seeking the genuine repentance of the individual.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **neglect to hear (Greek, _parakoúō'_):** From _para_ (alongside, amiss) and _akouō_ (to hear), this word literally means "to mishear" but carries the strong implication of "to disobey" or "to disregard." In this context, it signifies a deliberate refusal to heed the counsel, admonition, or instruction given, first by individuals and then by the entire assembly. It's not merely a failure to comprehend, but an active choice to ignore or defy.
* **church (Greek, _ekklēsía'_):** Derived from _ek_ (out of) and a derivative of _kaleō_ (to call), _ekklēsía_ refers to a "called-out assembly" or "congregation." In the New Testament, it denotes the community of believers, whether a local gathering or the universal body of Christ. Here, it specifically refers to the local Christian community, emphasizing its collective identity, responsibility, and divinely delegated authority in matters of internal discipline and fellowship.
* **heathen man (Greek, _ethnikós'_):** From _ethnos_ (a nation, people), _ethnikós_ specifically refers to a Gentile, one who is not Jewish. In the Jewish worldview of Jesus' day, Gentiles were considered outside the covenant of Israel and often viewed with suspicion or disdain due to their idolatrous practices and lack of adherence to the Mosaic Law. To be treated as an _ethnikós_ meant to be regarded as an outsider, one with whom the community would not share intimate fellowship.
* **publican (Greek, _telṓnēs'_):** From _telos_ (tax, duty) and _ōneomai_ (to buy), _telṓnēs_ designates a tax-farmer or tax collector. These individuals, often Jews, were notorious for collaborating with the Roman authorities and for extorting more money than was legally due, making them deeply unpopular and morally reprehensible in the eyes of their countrymen. Associating someone with a _telṓnēs_ implied a profound social and moral alienation, marking them as untrustworthy and unworthy of communal trust and fellowship.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And if he shall neglect to hear them,"**: This clause refers to the failure of the first two steps of church discipline outlined in [Matthew 18:15-16](/matthew/18-15-16 "Matthew 18:15-16 - The First Two Steps of Discipline"). "Them" refers to the one or two witnesses who accompanied the offended party in the second attempt at reconciliation. The phrase "neglect to hear" (Greek: _parakoúō_) implies a stubborn, willful refusal to listen to reason, acknowledge fault, or repent, indicating a hardened heart towards the truth and the community's loving efforts.
* **"tell [it] unto the church:"**: This is the third and final step in the disciplinary process. If the individual remains unrepentant after private and witnessed confrontations, the matter is to be brought before the entire local assembly of believers. This public disclosure is not for gossip or shaming, but for the collective body to exercise its God-given authority in addressing sin that threatens the purity and witness of the community. It signifies that the issue has become a corporate concern, requiring corporate action.
* **"but if he neglect to hear the church,"**: This clause presents the ultimate failure of the disciplinary process from the perspective of the unrepentant individual. If even the collective voice and authority of the entire believing community are disregarded, it demonstrates a profound and persistent rebellion against God's established order and the Spirit's leading within the church. This refusal to listen to the church's counsel indicates a complete unwillingness to repent and be reconciled.
* **"let him be unto thee as a heathen man and a publican."**: This is the prescribed consequence for the unrepentant. It means that the individual is to be treated as someone outside the intimate fellowship and privileges of the Christian community. This is not a call for hatred or malice, but for a cessation of normal, close fellowship that implies spiritual unity. Just as a "heathen man" (Gentile) was outside the covenant people of Israel, and a "publican" was socially ostracized, the unrepentant individual is to be excluded from the inner circle of Christian communion. The purpose is not punitive damnation, but a severe form of social and spiritual pressure, intended to awaken the individual to the seriousness of their sin and the consequences of their unrepentance, with the ultimate hope of leading them to genuine repentance and restoration.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 18:17 employs several significant literary devices. **Instruction** and **Didacticism** are paramount, as Jesus provides a clear, step-by-step guide for addressing sin within the nascent Christian community, emphasizing order, process, and the church's authority. The phrase "let him be unto thee as a heathen man and a publican" functions as a powerful **Simile** and **Symbolism**. The "heathen man" and "publican" are not literal identities the unrepentant person becomes, but symbolic representations of social and spiritual exclusion in Jewish society, vividly illustrating the severity of being cut off from the fellowship of believers. This **Exclusionary Language** serves as a stark warning and a final, desperate measure to prompt repentance, highlighting the communal nature of faith and the sacred boundaries of the church's fellowship. The entire passage also operates as a **Legal Metaphor**, outlining a judicial process within the spiritual community, from private accusation to public verdict, albeit one driven by love and restoration rather than mere punishment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 18:17 is foundational for understanding the church's authority and responsibility in maintaining holiness and order within its ranks. It teaches that the church is not merely a voluntary association but a divinely ordained community with the mandate to uphold God's standards, even through difficult acts of discipline. This process, while seemingly harsh, is rooted in God's character, which is both holy and loving. The goal is always the spiritual health of the individual and the purity of the community, reflecting God's desire for His people to be set apart. The church's exercise of discipline is a demonstration of its love for God's truth and its members, seeking to prevent sin from festering and to call the wayward back to repentance, mirroring God's own patience and pursuit of His children.

* [1 Corinthians 5:1-13](/1_corinthians/5-1-13 "1 Corinthians 5:1-13 - Expelling the Immoral Brother")
* [2 Thessalonians 3:14-15](/2_thessalonians/3-14-15 "2 Thessalonians 3:14-15 - Discipline and Restoration")
* [Titus 3:10-11](/titus/3-10-11 "Titus 3:10-11 - Dealing with Divisive People")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 18:17 presents a challenging but essential truth for the contemporary church: maintaining the purity and health of the community sometimes requires difficult actions. This passage calls believers to a high standard of accountability, reminding us that our actions impact not only ourselves but the entire body of Christ. Applying this verse today demands immense wisdom, humility, and a steadfast commitment to both truth and love. It teaches us that true love for a brother or sister sometimes means confronting their sin, not ignoring it. The multi-step process emphasizes patience and persistent efforts at reconciliation, ensuring that public discipline is always a last resort, undertaken with sorrow and a yearning for restoration. It also highlights the collective responsibility of the church; discipline is not the burden of a few leaders but a corporate act, requiring the discernment and support of the entire congregation. Ultimately, the aim is always redemptive: to awaken the unrepentant to their need for God's grace and to welcome them back into full fellowship upon genuine repentance, safeguarding the integrity of the gospel witness.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the multi-step process in Matthew 18:15-17 reflect God's patience and desire for reconciliation, even in the face of sin?**
* **What is the balance between upholding biblical standards of holiness and extending grace and forgiveness in church discipline?**
* **In what ways can a local church cultivate a culture of loving accountability that makes passages like Matthew 18:17 more understandable and less intimidating?**
* **How should the church's posture towards an unrepentant individual (treated "as a heathen man and a publican") still reflect the hope of their eventual restoration?**

### FAQ

**Is church discipline still relevant or necessary in modern churches?**

Answer: Yes, church discipline, as outlined in Matthew 18:17 and other New Testament passages (e.g., [1 Corinthians 5](/1_corinthians/5 "1 Corinthians 5 - Dealing with Immorality")), remains highly relevant and necessary. It is a loving, though difficult, practice intended to protect the purity and witness of the church, to prevent the spread of sin, and most importantly, to lead an unrepentant believer to repentance and restoration. While often misunderstood or neglected, faithful application of church discipline is crucial for the spiritual health of individual members and the entire body of Christ, reflecting God's holiness and His desire for His people to live in conformity to His will.

**What does it mean to treat someone "as a heathen man and a publican" today? Does it mean shunning or hating them?**

Answer: To treat someone "as a heathen man and a publican" does not mean to hate, despise, or abandon them. Rather, it signifies a cessation of the intimate fellowship and spiritual privileges enjoyed within the believing community. In Jesus' day, "heathen men" (Gentiles) were outside the covenant, and "publicans" were socially ostracized. Therefore, this phrase means to withdraw from close Christian fellowship, participation in the Lord's Supper, and recognition as a member in good standing. The purpose is not punitive shunning, but a severe form of social and spiritual pressure designed to highlight the gravity of unrepentance and to awaken the individual to their sin, with the ultimate hope that this separation will lead them to genuine repentance and a desire to be restored to fellowship. The church should still extend general love and prayer, always ready to welcome a repentant individual back, as exemplified by the father in the parable of the [Prodigal Son](/luke/15-11-32 "Luke 15:11-32 - The Parable of the Prodigal Son").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 18:17, though detailing a process for church discipline, finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Christ is the perfect embodiment of both the truth that demands holiness and the love that seeks restoration. He consistently confronted sin, not with harsh judgment for its own sake, but with a redemptive purpose, as seen in His interactions with the woman caught in adultery ([John 8:1-11](/john/8-1-11 "John 8:1-11 - Jesus and the Adulterous Woman")) or Zacchaeus the publican ([Luke 19:1-10](/luke/19-1-10 "Luke 19:1-10 - Jesus and Zacchaeus")). His mission was to seek and save the lost ([Luke 19:10](/luke/19-10 "Luke 19:10 - The Son of Man Came to Seek and to Save the Lost")), and the disciplinary process outlined in Matthew 18 reflects this same heart. The church, as Christ's body, is called to mirror His character: to uphold God's righteous standards while relentlessly pursuing the repentance and reconciliation of the wayward, just as Christ Himself pursued us in our sin. The separation "as a heathen man and a publican" is a stark reminder of the spiritual alienation from God that sin causes, a separation that only Christ's atoning sacrifice can bridge ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God Demonstrates His Love")). Thus, church discipline, when rightly applied, is not merely a legalistic exercise but a pastoral act, pointing the unrepentant back to the only One who can truly forgive, cleanse, and restore them to full communion with God and His people, demonstrating the very grace and truth that came through Jesus Christ ([John 1:17](/john/1-17 "John 1:17 - Grace and Truth Through Jesus Christ")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

2 Thessalonians 3:6

¶ Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.

1 Corinthians 5:9

¶ I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators:

1 Corinthians 6:7

Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather [suffer yourselves to] be defrauded?

2 Thessalonians 3:14

And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.

2 Thessalonians 3:15

Yet count [him] not as an enemy, but admonish [him] as a brother.

1 Corinthians 5:3

For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, [concerning] him that hath so done this deed,

1 Corinthians 5:5

To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.