Source sequence 56 of 85

Gain Your Brother

Scripture

Primary passage

Matthew 18:15–20

15 “If your brother sins against you, go, show him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained back your brother. 16 But if he doesn’t listen, take one or two more with you, that at the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the assembly. If he refuses to hear the assembly also, let him be to you as a Gentile or a tax collector. 18 Most certainly I tell you, whatever things you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven, and whatever things you release on earth will have been released in heaven. 19 Again, assuredly I tell you, that if two of you will agree on earth concerning anything that they will ask, it will be done for them by my Father who is in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the middle of them.”

Primary passage · World English Bible

Luke

Luke 17:3–4

3 Be careful. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him. If he repents, forgive him. 4 If he sins against you seven times in the day, and seven times returns, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.”

Unreviewed grouped account · World English Bible

The command

Hear what Jesus commands.

Address a fellow disciple's sin directly and progressively with restoration, truth, and accountable community as the goal.

In context

Hear the whole passage.

Jesus gives a measured process beginning with private conversation, widening only when necessary, while Luke joins rebuke to repentance and forgiveness.

What this reveals

What this reveals about God.

Jesus forms communities that neither gossip about sin nor ignore it, but pursue truth, repentance, forgiveness, and restoration.

Practice this command

Take one concrete step.

If a safe conversation is needed, speak privately about one specific action and its impact, listen carefully, and avoid recruiting others before the first step is attempted.

Discuss

Talk about it.

How do privacy, evidence, accountability, forgiveness, and safety work together in Jesus' process?

Pray

Pray this.

Jesus, make us truthful and restorative. Guard us from gossip, avoidance, retaliation, and misuse of authority.

Teach

Teach it simply.

Do not apply this process mechanically to abuse or crime; protection, reporting, and qualified help may need to precede private confrontation.

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