Author: Charlie Garrett

Saturday, 4 April 2026

Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Matthew 18:21

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at the “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

“Then Peter, having approached Him, he said, ‘Lord, how often, he will sin unto me, my brother, and I will forgive him? Until sevenfold?’” (CG)

In the previous verse, Jesus noted to the disciples that where two or three are gathered together in His name, He is there in their midst. Matthew next records, “Then Peter, having approached Him, he said, ‘Lord, how often, he will sin unto me, my brother?’”

A new word is used here, posakis. It is a multiplicative from posos, how much, how great, etc. Thus, the meaning here is “how many times.” In this chapter, Peter has heard about who the greatest in the kingdom of heaven is. Jesus also explained about causing one of the little ones (meaning those of simple faith) to sin, and what to do about it.

Jesus then spoke about the shepherd leaving the ninety-nine sheep to seek the one, and the reconciliation that is hoped for from that. If it is found, He spoke of the joy of it. After that, Jesus referred to the matter of a brother who sins against another and the efforts that should be taken to bring about restoration.

As a result of that, He spoke of the matter of binding and loosening, a topic that was developed based on the lack of reconciliation of the wayward brother. These things have led Peter to want to know the extent of forgiveness that should be extended to another. He has asked how often the brother would sin against him, and as he continues, “and I will forgive him?”

Peter’s question must be taken in connection with other thoughts that have been presented, that will be presented in Matthew, and that are presented in the other gospels. So far, Peter has only asked about forgiving for an offense against him. The question is actually incomplete. Because of this, and by taking it as a complete thought, too many err in their evaluation of the subject of forgiveness. For now, he answers his own question with another question, saying, “Until sevenfold?”

A new word is seen, heptakis, sevenfold. It means repeating something seven times. Peter’s suggestion is one that seems appropriate. We only have so much time in a day, so much patience with nonsense, and an inability to read the hearts and intents of others.

Seven is a number well known in Scripture and one already seen in Jesus’ ministry several times. It is the number of spiritual perfection. As such, it is a logical number for Peter to put forth. Some people argue that the rabbinic interpretation of forgiveness was up to three or four times based on Amos 1:3 and other Amos references.

This is not an acceptable place to go for understanding such a matter, but it is common for the rabbinic society to try to define every moral thing in a set manner. The attitude, however, is one that has only caused them eons of grief for misapplying God’s intent in this fashion.

As for Peter’s question, it will be answered by Jesus with a direct answer, but then He will provide a couple of paragraphs of explanation to fill in the details of Peter’s incomplete question. He will then sum up the matter in verse 35. Unfortunately, when Jesus’ response is evaluated by people, they read the beginning of His answer, skip to the last part, and fail to consider the middle content.

They also fail to consider all other examples of the matter of forgiveness. Thus, they conclude that forgiveness is mandatory in all circumstances. This is not only inappropriate, but it has also caused great damage to people throughout the ages.

Life application: Without even getting into Jesus’ answer, the matter of Peter’s question being incomplete should be addressed. What is it that prompts forgiveness? The answer is that there is an understanding that a wrong has been committed.

In the previous example, a brother was offended. He went to the offender and addressed the matter. The offender refused to listen. The matter was elevated to two or three witnesses. The offender still refused to acknowledge his wrongdoing. Therefore, the matter was brought to the out-calling. The offender still refused to yield.

So what was the result after that? He was to be like the ethnicity and the taxman to them. What was lacking in the man’s demeanor that caused his expulsion? The answer is that he did not acknowledge his offense, and he did not ask for forgiveness for it. And that leads to the next obvious question: Was he forgiven? The answer is a giant, NO.

Peter’s question is incomplete because it only addresses the matter of forgiveness without the matter of his brother coming to him and asking for forgiveness, or at a minimum, Peter going to him and addressing the matter as in the example cited by Jesus.

The thought may have been implied in Peter’s mind, but it is not clearly stated. Jesus’ example, however, will bring up the matter of repentance, demonstrating the incomplete nature of Peter’s question for us to understand more fully what is expected in the process of offense and forgiveness.

Pay attention as the verses continue to unfold, and this will be seen. Jesus has already given an example of when not to forgive others. Peter’s question is based on that, not separate from it.

Lord God, help us to consider the context of what we read. It is very easy to be duped into bad doctrine taught by others who sound convincing, but who really have no idea what they are talking about. Give us the desire to both read and contemplate Your word so that we are not led astray by false ideas about important doctrinal issues. Amen.

Friday, 3 April 2026

For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” Matthew 18:20

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at the “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

“For where they are, two or three having been gathered into the name of My Father, there I am in the midst of them.” (CG)

In the previous verse, Jesus told the disciples that if two of them harmonized about any deed, that if they should ask, it would come to pass for them from His Father. He next continues, saying, “For where they are, two or three having been gathered into the name of My Father.”

The words here refer to any assembly of people. It does not appear that there is anything exclusively pointing to the disciples. However, it does not logically follow that the previous verse gives a grant as stated there to all such gatherings.

In other words, Jesus’ words of the previous verse clearly refer to the disciples. The reasons for that were stated. As such, the idea that a claim by two or three gathering at any time in church would necessitate that the Father to agree to whatever they ask cannot be supported. What Jesus is saying in this verse is a general statement about anytime such a group meets. It is an obvious truth.

The reason it is obvious is what is said in Hebrews 13:5 –

“Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’”

The words are directed in the singular, “…no not you [sg.] I should leave, neither no you [sg.] I should forsake.” (CG)

The weight of that is seen in Jesus’ next words, “there I am in the midst of them.” If Jesus states there is no point at which He should leave or forsake an individual, then He is always with him. If two or three are gathered, then it is certain He is among them, acknowledging that they have gathered in His Father’s name.

Again, however, it does not logically follow that everything Jesus says to His disciples applies to all people in the church at all times. The follow-up general statement is given to the disciples to ensure they know that the first statement is true.

For example, in Ezekiel, it says that Gog will be destroyed along with all of his armies. It then says that God will give them to the birds and beasts to be devoured. This doesn’t mean that every person slain in the armies will be eaten by birds and beasts. It is a general statement given to confirm the fact that the armies will be destroyed.

We can be certain that the Lord is always with us. We can also be certain that when we gather in the Father’s name, Jesus will be with us. But we should not claim that because we have met in this manner, the Father is going to agree to everything we determine. It assumes too much.

Life application: It is important to consider the context of what is being said in Scripture. Once the context is understood, we should go further and question if what is said in the surrounding verses is a specific or general statement. Does what is said logically follow if a general statement is made? The answer will normally be no. The general is given to confirm the specific, but not necessarily in all circumstances or in all ways.

The example of Gog above is just one of many such examples that show one does not logically follow after another. As this is so, let us lean toward the more conservative idea concerning such things. To go further may, and usually will, assume too much.

And as an additional confirmation of such things, just look realistically at the world around you. Has your experience shown that every time two or three are gathered in Jesus’ name, God has done for them what they determined? Of course not! If not, then why not? Are the words of Jesus in error? Of course not! Then the disconnect is in our thinking and understanding of the passage, not in what Jesus is telling a certain group of people.

Lord God, give us the wisdom to consider Your word in its intended context. May we not run ahead with various thoughts from Your word without thinking them through and properly considering what is said and why it is said. Give us this wisdom, O God. Amen.

Thursday, 2 April 2026

Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. Matthew 18:19

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at the “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

“Again, I say to you, that if two of you, they may harmonize upon the earth about any deed, that if they should ask, it will become to them from My Father, the ‘in heavens’.” (CG)

In the previous verse, Jesus instructed the disciples about binding on earth what is bound in heaven and loosing on earth what is loosed in heaven. Following along with that same authority, of which the context demands it is referring to these disciples, it says, “Again, I say to you, that if two of you, they may harmonize upon the earth.”

Here is a new word, sumphóneó, to be harmonious. One can see the obvious etymological ancestor of our modern word symphony. The word is derived from sýn, together with, and phōnḗ, sound or voice (think of the telephōnḗ). HELPS Word Studies says, “to be in harmony, agreeing, because in one concord.”

When a symphony plays, each voice of the instruments is playing in accord with the whole to form a tapestry of music. Jesus continues, saying that if these disciples harmonize upon the earth “about any deed.”

A second new word is seen, pragma, a deed. By extension, it refers to a material object, a business, a matter, a thing, or work in general. This word is the great-grandfather of our modern word pragmatic. From there, it became the Greek word pragmatikos (relating to a fact). That was then adopted into English.

Jesus is looking for harmony among these disciples to form a united consensus. Once that is obtained, He says, “that if they should ask, it will become to them.”

This is the main key to obtaining what is needed for the furtherance of the church in its infancy. There cannot be individual voices pulling from one side and other voices pulling from another in an attempt to obtain personal victory. That type of dealing is left up to business leaders, politicians, etc. But the early church would only properly function when they were united.

And that could only happen when the will of the Lord, a will whose general principles and main goal were already known to them, would be pursued. Should they have been united in this manner, they would receive their request, as Jesus says, “from My Father, the ‘in heavens’.”

Jesus is restating and reconfirming the thought of the previous verse. There is an ability to obtain what is asked because it has already been ordained to be so in heaven.

Life application: The words of Jesus in this verse are quite often taken to inappropriate and unintended extremes. The words are used to claim things that will not come about because the intended recipients of what Jesus says were these disciples, not the church at large, after the word was completed.

As seen in the previous commentary, an example was given concerning binding and loosening from Acts 15. In the same chapter, the decision that led to the letter sent to the believers at Antioch says –

“Then it pleased the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, namely, Judas who was also named Barsabas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren.” Acts 15:22

This is the type of agreement Jesus was referring to. It was a necessary grant to the early church because there was no New Testament to guide the church in its decision-making process. Therefore, they came together, united in an agreement, and then disseminated that decision to where it was needed to go.

A similar type of agreement came about in Acts 6 over a matter. Today, the church’s instruction manual is Scripture. If a church body agrees on something that is contrary to the word, how could God grant that? For this to come about, every single church would have to be in perfect agreement over every point of doctrine given in Scripture.

And yet, there isn’t a single point of doctrine that every church agrees on! The words of Jesus in Matthew 18:19 are not, and indeed they cannot be speaking of people today. Using this verse as a way of supposedly settling a matter is inappropriate. The word is given to do that. It is our job to learn the word, apply the word in its proper context, and be obedient to its precepts.

Lord God, help us to remember that You have bound what we are to do and You have loosed what we are not to do. As such, our agreement in spiritual matters must be based upon the word of God, not upon a misunderstanding of what Jesus has taught. Help us to remember the context of what He instructs us. Amen.

Wednesday, 1 April 2026

“Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Matthew 18:18

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at the “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen).

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

“Amen! I say to you, as much if you should bind upon the earth, it will be ‘having been bindings’ in the heaven. And as much, if you should loosen upon the earth, it will be having been loosenings in the heaven.” (CG)

In the previous verse, Jesus gave instructions on someone who would not listen to the out-called gathering. If he continued to stubbornly listen, he was to be treated like the ethnicity and the taxmen. Now, he provides an authority similar to that stated to Peter in Acts 16:19, beginning with, “Amen! I say to you.”

The “you” is plural. In Matthew 16:19, it was singular, referring to Peter. Therefore, the authority is not limited to Peter. This authority is, “as much if you should bind upon the earth, it will be ‘having been bindings’ in the heaven.”

The plural “bindings” refers to the plural number of people. Each such decision is a part of those things having been bound in the heaven.

Access to heaven is through faith in Jesus. That is something ahead for the disciples at this time. Hence, the future tense, “it will be.” These disciples are being told that they will have authority to bind, meaning prohibit, that which is prohibited in the heavens. That is seen with the use of the perfect participle “having been.” Likewise, Jesus says, “And as much, if you should loosen upon the earth, it will be having been loosenings in the heaven.”

To loosen means to undo and thus to allow. These disciples were given the authority to make decisions concerning what was to be done or not done in the church, confirming that which was bound in heaven. This is how the church was established. Decisions were made, authority was set, and matters were discussed, such as in Acts 15 at the Council in Jerusalem.

These matters were granted to men, inspired by the Spirit, to establish the workings of the church and also to pen the words of Scripture that would then become the final authority for church conduct. These words are logically connected to the previous section that dealt with a sinning brother, because that was a matter that they would decide.

If they decided such a person was to be returned to fellowship, that is what was bound in heaven. If they determined he should be expelled, that was bound in heaven. With the word of God complete, we now have Scripture to determine what is bound in heaven. We simply need to follow what has been provided.

Life application: It is not uncommon in some churches to hear people claim they are “binding” this or that, or that they are “loosening” this or that, as if they personally have authority to direct heaven to do certain things.

Rather, God in heaven determines what is acceptable and what is not in spiritual matters. He has given us His wisdom for church-age guidance in the pages of Scripture. That is what is bound and what is loosed.

A problem with churches arises when they don’t use the Bible to make such determinations. How can you allow or prohibit something in accord with God’s will if you don’t know what His will is? The answer is that you cannot.

A process was set in motion for Christ’s church to be established. Moses received God’s will, penned it, and passed it on to the people. That is what was bound or loosened for the people. God took a bit of a different direction with the church. He gave the leaders authority to get things going, to make decisions in accord with the Spirit’s directions, and eventually, they penned the New Testament.

That is seen, for example, in these words from James –

“For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things: ²⁹ that you abstain from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well.” Acts 15:28, 29

The decision was bound in heaven (good to the Holy Spirit), and it was then passed on to the people as a binding precept. Now that the word is completed, we are to go to the epistles to further clarify what was initially set forth.

Lord God, how good it is to have Your word to direct us. We don’t need to worry if we are living in accord with Your will or not if we are aware of what Your will is! And so, we will continue in Your word, learning its precepts and living in accord with what it says. Amen.

Tuesday, 31 March 2026

And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector. Matthew 18:17

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at the “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen).

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

“And if he should ignore them, you say to the out-calling. And if also the out-calling he ignores, he is to you as the ethnicity and the taxmen.” (CG)

In the previous verse, Jesus cited the precept from Deuteronomy concerning establishing a matter by two or three witnesses. He next says, “And if he should ignore them.”

A new word is seen, parakouó, to mishear. By implication, it then means to disobey. In this case, he simply ignores what has been presented, failing to hear their reason. The matter was brought up privately between the offended and the offender. That didn’t work, so the one offended brought witnesses to assist in adjudicating the matter. That attempt has failed. Therefore, the next step is noted by Jesus, “you say to the out-calling.”

This is the second time the out-calling is mentioned. It is a called-out group of people in any given context. Today, we call it the church. But the church didn’t exist as an entity until after the Pentecost recorded in Acts 2. Thus, saying “church” at this point is a bit of a misnomer. As for it being brought to the out-calling, Jesus next says, “And if also the out-calling he ignores.”

The word parakouó is used again. It will only be seen one more time, in Mark 5:36. This stubborn guy has now thrice ignored reason. Because of this, there is no more remedy available. And so Jesus says, “he is to you as the ethnicity and the taxmen.”

In this case, the ethnicity means a non-covenant person. Jesus, at the time, was speaking to the people of Israel. At the time, they were the covenant people. Therefore, it was anyone outside of their realm. The taxmen, even if in Israel, were outcasts from the people. They worked for the Romans and thus harmed the state of their own people. As such, this guy is now like an ethnicity, being out of the covenant graces. He is also like the taxmen, being at enmity with the cause.

Life application: In the epistles, Paul handles matters concerning such people in various ways –

“But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner—not even to eat with such a person.” 1 Corinthians 5:11

“And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed. ¹⁵ Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.” 2 Thessalonians 3:14, 15

“This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, ¹⁹ having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck, ²⁰ of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I delivered to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.” 1 Timothy 1:18-20

One can see that Paul had a variety of disciplinary methods for various infractions against the church. The circumstances dictated what he would do. What he says in 1 Corinthians and 2 Thessalonians is prescriptive and is to be adhered to.

Paying attention to what is going on in the word is important. Issues arise that must be addressed from time to time. Churches do not need books of order, books of discipline, etc., to make judgments within the congregation or for laying charges against elders and deacons.

These things are laid out in Scripture. Such books begin to take the place of Scripture in the minds of people. When this happens, and it inevitably does, the word loses its importance in the church. Later, when the morals of the church degrade, as is common, such books are amended to accommodate whatever perversion is now considered acceptable.

But the word of God cannot be amended. It stands as the rule and guide of the faith. Be sure to go to it, not some other source, to determine matters of church policy.

Lord God, help us to remember Your word for all occasions where we need spiritual guidance and direction. May we never forsake this precious gift You have blessed us with for conducting our life’s walk. Amen.