Matthew 18:15 · Bible study
Matthew 18:15 Commentary: The Way of Gaining a Brother
Greek · 11 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
What it means to 'gain your brother' and why confrontation begins in private. Greek insight, historical background, pastoral application.
Research Summary
- Meaning: Private, loving confrontation with a sinning brother aims at restoration, not punishment.
- Key words: ἐλέγχω (convict/prove), κερδαίνω (gain/win), ὕπάγω (go, take initiative), μόνου (alone, privacy).
- Main debate: Whether 'brother' is limited to church members or extends to all relationships; most commentators see church membership context.
- Theological theme: Church discipline as restoration; the value of each member; the duty of love to confront sin.
- Best use: As a pastoral guide for conflict resolution and church leadership training, not as a legalistic checklist.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
If your brother sins against you, go and confront him privately. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over.
WEB World English Bible 2000
“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.
KJV King James Version 1769
Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
And if thy brother sin against thee, go, show him his fault between thee and him alone: if he hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
`And if thy brother may sin against thee, go and show him his fault between thee and him alone, if he may hear thee, thou didst gain thy brother;
Darby Darby Bible 1890
But if thy brother sin against thee, go, reprove him between thee and him alone. If he hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
But if thy brother shall offend against thee, go, and rebuke him between thee and him alone. If he shall hear thee, thou shalt gain thy brother.
Translations in other languages (10 available)
Por tanto, si tu hermano pecare contra ti, ve, y redargúyele|strong="G1651, G0846" entre ti y él solo: si te oyere, has ganado á tu hermano.
Porém, se teu irmão pecar, vai repreendê-lo entre ti e ele só; se te ouvir, ganhaste o teu irmão.
Si ton frère a péché, va et reprends-le entre toi et lui seul. S’ il t’ écoute, tu as gagné ton frère.
Sündigt aber dein Bruder an dir, so gehe hin und strafe ihn zwischen dir und ihm allein. Hört er dich, so hast du deinen Bruder gewonnen.
Maar indien uw broeder tegen u gezondigd heeft, ga heen en bestraf hem tussen u en hem alleen; indien hij u hoort, zo hebt gij uw broeder gewonnen.
Se poi il tuo fratello ha peccato contro di te, va’ e riprendilo fra te e lui solo. Se t’ascolta, avrai guadagnato il tuo fratello;
A jeźliby zgrzeszył przeciwko tobie brat twój, idź, strofuj go między tobą i onym samym: jeźli cię usłucha, pozyskałeś brata twego.
Если же согрешит против тебя брат твой, пойди и обличи его между тобою и им одним; если послушает тебя, то приобрел ты брата твоего;
「 倘若 你的 弟兄 得罪 你，你就去，趁著只有 他 和 你 在一處的時候，指出他 的錯來。他若 聽 你，你便得了 你的 弟兄；
And if your brother does wrong to you, go, make clear to him his error between you and him in private: if he gives ear to you, you have got your brother back again.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Koine Greek)
New Testament · Koine Greek · Matthew 18:15
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators across traditions agree that Matthew 18:15 calls for private, restorative confrontation with a fellow believer who has sinned. The key Greek verb for 'show him his fault' is ἐλέγξον (elegxon), an aorist imperative meaning to convict or prove, not merely to tell, but to bring the offense to light with a view to restoration (Vincent). Jesus uses another imperative, ὕπαγε (hupage, 'go'), placing the initiative on the one wronged: do not wait for the offender to come (Barnes). The goal is expressed in the aorist ἐκέρδησας ('you have gained'): to win the brother back to fellowship and to Christ (Barnes, Gill). Clarke notes this is the first step, not optional. Calvin sees here a 'middle course' between harsh severity and deadly flattery, private admonition aimed at healing. The consensus is clear: the primary concern is not punishment but recovery of relationship, grounded in Leviticus 19:17 and the ethos of the community of believers.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Low
What is clear: It is clear that Jesus commands a private, personal approach to a brother who has sinned, with the goal of restoration rather than exposure or punishment.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Who is a 'brother'? | The term refers to fellow believers within the Christian community. | Some traditions (e.g., Wesleyan) extend it to all people; others restrict it to church members, arguing the subsequent steps (church discipline) require a defined community. |
| Is private confrontation always required first? | Yes, the first step must be private before any escalation. | Debate arises over what counts as a 'private' sin (done only before one witness) vs. a public sin that may already be known. Many commentators hold that public sins require public rebuke (1 Tim 5:20). |
| What does 'gain your brother' include? | It includes restoring the relationship and the brother to Christlike conduct. | Some emphasize reconciliation with the offended party (Barnes), others see it as winning the sinner back to God (Gill). Both are held together in many readings. |
| Does the 'against you' clause modify the meaning? | The verse directly addresses sins committed against an individual. | Some readings apply the principle more broadly to any sin the believer witnesses, not just personal offenses, citing Lev 19:17 and the context of brotherly correction. |
Historical & Cultural Context
Matthew 18 sits within a chapter Jesus devotes to life in his community. The preceding verses (1, 14) address humility and care for 'little ones'; then a dispute among the disciples about greatness likely lingers in the air (JFB). Into that tension Jesus speaks this procedure for resolving sin between brothers.
The immediate background is the Old Testament command in Leviticus 19:17: 'You shall surely rebuke your neighbor, and not bear sin because of him.' Jewish teachers understood this as a duty to correct privately before bringing a matter to court (Poole, Ellicott). Jesus follows that pattern while intensifying the personal responsibility of the one sinned against.
The word 'brother' here refers to a fellow member of the believing community (Barnes, Gill). In first-century Jewish and early Christian culture, preserving honor was critical, but Jesus redirects that concern: private confrontation protects both the offender's dignity and the broader community from unnecessary scandal (Barnes). The phrase 'between you and him alone' uses μεταξὺ (metaxu) with μόνου (monou), stressing total privacy. This is not a command to air grievances publicly but to create a space where repentance can happen without shame.
Calvin and others note that the three-step escalation (private, then with witnesses, then to the church) reflects a legal process borrowed from Deuteronomy 19:15, but adapted for pastoral restoration rather than judicial punishment.
Textual Notes
The consulted sources note no significant textual variants for Matthew 18:15. A minority of early manuscripts omit the words 'against you' (εἰς σέ), but the reading is well supported and present in the majority of witnesses. Commentators do not treat it as a doctrinal variation.
Reception History
From the early church onward, Matthew 18:15 became the foundation for church discipline procedures. The Didache (1st-2nd century) echoes its principle of private reproof. In the medieval period, monastic rules like the Rule of St. Benedict used this verse to guide fraternal correction among monks. During the Reformation, both Luther and Calvin appealed to it to structure congregational discipline, though they differed on whether 'the church' meant the whole congregation or its elders. Modern pastoral counseling and conflict resolution models frequently cite this passage as a biblical basis for seeking reconciliation before formal action.
Preaching This Verse
Three-Point Outline
- Go to your brother. Jesus says go first. Do not wait for the offender to come to you. The imperative ὕπαγε (hupage) implies immediate, personal initiative. This is an act of love, not avoidance.
- Show him his fault privately. The Greek ἐλέγξον means to convict, to prove the wrong, not to scold or humiliate. The setting must be 'between you and him alone.' This protects the relationship and opens the door for honest dialogue.
- You have gained your brother. The aorist tense indicates a settled result. 'Gain' (κερδαίνω) here means to win back, restore, preserve in the faith (cf. 1 Cor 9:19; 1 Pet 3:1). The goal is not victory over the other but the recovery of a brother or sister.
Five-Point Outline
- Private conversation (v.15)
- If he does not listen, take one or two witnesses (v.16)
- If still refuses, tell the church (v.17)
- If he refuses the church, treat him as an outsider (v.17)
- Heaven confirms the church's binding and loosing (v.18)
Note that each step only proceeds when the previous one fails. This protects believers from premature exposure and maintains the hope of restoration.
Illustration Hooks
- A misunderstanding at work that could have been resolved with a five-minute private conversation escalated into a group chat argument.
- Someone receives a critical comment on their character; instead of posting publicly, they ask the person to coffee to clarify.
- Two friends fall out; one sends a sincere, private message to discuss the issue rather than complaining to mutual friends.
Questions Your Congregation Is Asking
- What if the person refuses to talk or listen even in private?
- Is every sin supposed to be confronted this way, or only serious ones?
- What if I am the one who sinned against someone? How does this verse apply to me?
Leading a Discussion
This passage gives Christians a practical, loving process for handling sin within the church. It assumes conflict will happen and provides a way that aims at reconciliation, not winning arguments. Below are open-ended questions to help your group engage the text honestly.
Discussion Questions
- Read Matthew 18:15 aloud. What is the very first thing Jesus commands the wronged person to do? Why do you think he says 'go' rather than 'wait'?
- The Greek verb for 'show him his fault' (ἐλέγξον) means to convince or convict. How does this change the way you think about confronting someone who has hurt you?
- Why does Jesus insist on privacy ('between you and him alone')? What might happen if we skip this step and go public too soon?
- What does it mean to 'gain your brother'? Look at how Paul uses the same word in 1 Corinthians 9:19 and 1 Peter 3:1.
- Barnes and Gill both say this instruction applies to fellow believers, not to outsiders. How do you think Christians should handle sin with non-Christians?
- Think of a time when a Christian confronted you about something. What made that conversation helpful or hurtful?
- What would change in your faith community if people regularly followed this command?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Leviticus 6:2 | “If anyone sins, and commits a trespass against Yahweh, and deals falsely with his neighbor in a matter of deposit, or of bargain, or of robbery, or has oppressed his neighbor, |
| Leviticus 6:7 | The priest shall make atonement for him before Yahweh, and he will be forgiven concerning whatever he does to become guilty.” |
| Leviticus 19:17 | “‘You shall not hate your brother in your heart. You shall surely rebuke your neighbor, and not bear sin because of him. |
| Psalms 141:5 | Let the righteous strike me, it is kindness; let him reprove me, it is like oil on the head; don’t let my head refuse it; Yet my prayer is always against evil deeds. |
| Proverbs 11:30 | The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life. He who is wise wins souls. |
| Proverbs 25:9 | Debate your case with your neighbor, and don’t betray the confidence of another, |
| Proverbs 25:10 | lest one who hears it put you to shame, and your bad reputation never depart. |
| Matthew 18:35 | So my heavenly Father will also do to you, if you don’t each forgive your brother from your hearts for his misdeeds.” |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
10 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke insists that the initial private reproof is mandatory and cannot be skipped or replaced with any later step. He also suggests that if a personal meeting is difficult, reproof by messenger or in writing may be even more effective.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes stresses that private reproof serves three practical purposes: giving the offender a fair chance to explain, an opportunity to make things right, and protecting the cause of religion from public scandal. Gaining your brother means restoring him to consistent Christian living, not just settling a personal grievance.
Calvin's Commentaries Reformed 1564
Calvin warns against two opposite errors: ignoring faults through flattery or attacking them with harsh bitterness. He sees Christ prescribing a middle course—patient forbearance combined with honest reproof—and outlines three deliberate steps of correction. This balance is the hard work of true Christian love.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The commentator notes that "tell him his fault" more accurately means "convict him" or "rebuke," citing a parallel in Leviticus where the phrase implies not letting sin go unchecked. "Gained" means winning someone over to a better state of mind, to Christ himself.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The Geneva Notes stress that the goal of private confrontation is not merely to correct an offense but to win your brother back. Telling him his fault alone, rather than involving others first, aims at restoring the relationship. If he listens, you have gained him as a brother.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill stresses that this instruction applies only to fellow believers, not to outsiders. He notes that one should not wait for the offender to apologize but should go privately and reprove gently, without aggravating the sin. If the brother listens, he is gained and the matter should never be mentioned again.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB sees Jesus' instructions as a direct response to the disciples' recent quarrel over who was greatest. Still smarting from the rebuke, each might blame the other, so Jesus lays out a clear procedure: go privately first, then with witnesses, then before the church, and finally treat the unrepentant as an outsider.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Matthew Henry sees a dual purpose in this passage: it handles both personal offenses that threaten church peace and public scandals that threaten church purity. The instructions serve to preserve harmony in the first case, and holiness in the second.
Vincent's Word Studies Evangelical 1887
Vincent stresses that the command "tell him his fault" is stronger than a simple report. The Greek word implies proving the error through careful examination and reasoning. The Revised Version's "shew him" better captures this idea of demonstrating how he has gone wrong, rather than merely naming the offense.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley insists Christ commands a precise three-step process for dealing with a brother's sin, not a general principle. You must first confront him alone, then with one or two witnesses, then tell the church elders, and never exchange or skip any step. This rule applies when you personally witness the offense.