Meaning of Matthew 18:18

This pronouncement by Jesus, "Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven," is a profound statement concerning the authority delegated to His disciples, particularly in the context of church discipline and the administration of God's kingdom on earth. It is not a carte blanche for arbitrary human decisions, but rather an affirmation that the pronouncements made by the community of believers, when acting in accordance with God's will and guided by the Holy Spirit, will have divine ratification. The terms "bind" and "loose" likely derive from rabbinic terminology, where "binding" referred to prohibiting something or declaring it unlawful, and "loosing" meant permitting something or declaring it lawful. Therefore, this verse signifies that the church, when exercising its God-given authority in matters of doctrine, discipline, and the reconciliation of believers, acts as an earthly representation of heavenly judgment and decree, provided such actions are aligned with divine principles.

Context and Background

Jesus delivers this instruction in Matthew 18, following a discussion about humility, forgiveness, and the care for the lost sheep. Specifically, Matthew 18:15-17 outlines a process for addressing sin within the community: first, a private confrontation; if that fails, bringing one or two witnesses; and if still unheeded, telling it to the church. It is immediately after this process of communal discernment and potential excommunication that Jesus utters Matthew 18:18. This places the authority to "bind and loose" within the framework of resolving disputes and maintaining the purity and integrity of the community of faith. The preceding verses (15-17) emphasize that the goal is restoration and reconciliation, not merely punishment.

Key Themes and Messages

• Divine Authority: The core message is that the authority to make decisions on earth concerning matters of faith and community life is divinely sanctioned.
• Community Governance: This verse empowers the believing community to function as a responsible entity, capable of making judgments that reflect God's will.
• Alignment with Heaven: The crucial qualifier is that these earthly pronouncements are ratified in heaven if they are in accordance with heaven's decrees. This implies a need for discernment and reliance on the Holy Spirit.
• Forgiveness and Discipline: The ability to bind and loose encompasses both the discipline of those who persistently sin and the restoration and forgiveness of those who repent.

Spiritual Significance and Application

Spiritually, Matthew 18:18 signifies that the church, as the body of Christ, is entrusted with the stewardship of God's kingdom on earth. When the church, through its leadership and the consensus of its members acting in unity and guided by Scripture and the Spirit, makes decisions regarding who is admitted into fellowship, who is disciplined for unrepentant sin, or what is considered biblically permissible or impermissible, these decisions carry spiritual weight. This is not about human infallibility but about the promise of divine endorsement when the church faithfully applies God's revealed will. It calls for prayerful discernment, adherence to biblical principles, and a focus on both justice and mercy in its dealings.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

This passage is consistent with the Old Testament concept of the people of God being given authority to administer justice and uphold God's covenant. In the New Testament, it is a foundational principle for the church's self-governance and its role in proclaiming and living out the gospel. The authority to bind and loose is a manifestation of the Holy Spirit's indwelling, empowering believers to live out kingdom principles. It foreshadows the church's role in judgment and its responsibility to maintain order and holiness within the community of faith as it awaits Christ's return.

Analogies

One analogy is that of a court of law. Just as a judge's ruling, based on established laws and evidence, is binding and enforceable, so too are the church's decisions, when made in accordance with God's "laws" (Scripture) and guided by the "evidence" of a person's conduct and repentance, meant to be ratified in heaven.

Another analogy is a family council. When parents, acting in love and wisdom, make decisions for their children regarding behavior, privileges, or discipline, these decisions are for the well-being of the family and are meant to guide the children's lives. Similarly, the church, as a spiritual family, makes decisions for the spiritual health and order of its members.

Relation to Other Verses

• Matthew 16:19: Jesus gives Peter the "keys of the kingdom of heaven" and states, "Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." While Matthew 18:18 extends this authority to the broader community, Matthew 16:19 highlights the foundational role of Peter in the early church.
• 1 Corinthians 5:1-13: This passage demonstrates the church exercising its authority to "bind" a man who was engaged in incest by excommunicating him, with the stated purpose of delivering him to Satan for the destruction of his flesh, so that his spirit might be saved. It also speaks of "loosing" or forgiving and restoring a repentant member.
• John 20:23: Jesus breathes on His disciples and says, "If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven." This verse speaks to the church's role in declaring forgiveness, a direct application of the power to loose.
• Deuteronomy 17:8-13: This Old Testament passage outlines a process for dealing with difficult cases of judgment where local courts could not resolve disputes, referring them to the central sanctuary and its Levitical priests and judges, whose decision was final and binding. This prefigures the church's ultimate authority in matters of doctrine and discipline.