Wednesday, October 3 Let him be to you just as a man of the nations.​—Matt. 18:17.

[GrumpysWife]

Wednesday, October 3

Let him be to you just as a man of the nations.—Matt. 18:17.

 

Most differences between Christians can and should be resolved privately by the individuals concerned. However, Jesus noted that some situations might require congregation involvement. (Matt. 18:15-17) What would be the outcome if an offender refused to listen to his brother, to witnesses, and to the congregation? He should be treated “just as a man of the nations and as a tax collector.” Today, we would say that he should be disfellowshipped. The seriousness of this step indicates that the “sin” was not a small disagreement. Rather, it was (1) a sin that could be settled between the individuals concerned but it was also (2) a sin serious enough to merit disfellowshipping if not settled. Such sins might involve a measure of fraud or might include damaging a person’s reputation through slander. The three steps Jesus outlined, as recorded at Matthew 18:15-17, are applicable only where these conditions exist. w16.05 1:14

[minister159]

On 10/2/2018 at 2:30 PM, GrumpysWife said:

He should be treated “just as a man of the nations and as a tax collector.”

Is this how we treat those who are disfellowshipped, including friends and relatives? Or do we look for loopholes to continue unnecessary association? It's been said, "You can fool all the people some of the time, and you can fool some of the people all the time, but you can't fool Jehovah anytime."

 

"However, the context suggests that the sin Jesus meant must have been serious. It was sufficiently grave that it could lead to the wrongdoer’s being viewed “as a man of the nations and as a tax collector.” What does that phrase imply?"

 

McClintock and Strong’s Cyclopedia says: “The publicans [tax collectors] of the New Test[ament] were regarded as traitors and apostates, defiled by their frequent intercourse with the heathen, willing tools of the oppressor. They were classed with sinners . . . Left to themselves, men of decent lives holding aloof from them, their only friends or companions were found among those who, like themselves, were outcasts.” --- w99 10/15