John Bengel Commentary - Matthew 18:15 - 18:15

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John Bengel Commentary - Matthew 18:15 - 18:15


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Mat 18:15. Ἐὰν δὲ, κ.τ.λ., but if, etc.) The sum of this chapter is as follows: Every one is under an obligation, not to place obstacles before himself and others, but to aid both on the way of salvation Also: we ought to respond to the Divine will, expressed in Mat 18:14. Also: do not offend thy brother; cure thy brother’s offence.-ἁμαρτήσῃ εἰς σὲ, sin against thee) sc. by giving offence; see 1Co 8:12.-ὕπαγε, go) (cf. πορευθεὶς, having gone, in Mat 18:12). That will be derogatory to no one. Even Christ came to us and sought us.-ἔλεγξον αὐτὸν, reprove him)[824] Afterwards our Lord speaks of witnesses. In the present instance, the matter takes place in the presence of only two [sc. the parties themselves]; in the latter, of more.-ΑὐΤῸΝ, him) sc. thy brother. He is reproved and forgiven because he is a brother.-μόνου, alone) Solitary reproof is gracious.-ἐκέρδησας, thou hast gained) Therefore thy brother had previously been lost through his sin. A gain, and a blessed one. The body of the sick man does not become the property of the physician who cured it; the burning house does not become the property of him who extinguished the fire: that is, they are not gained. But the man whom I have gained becomes in some sort my own, as amongst the Romans a conquered people became bound, by the ties of clientship, to the general who had conquered them; cf. Luk 19:24; Luk 19:17; Phm 1:19, and Gnomon on 1Co 9:19.

[824] E. V. “Tell him his fault.”-(I. B.)

The margin of both Editions observes that this verb is brought into prominence by the absence of the copula between it and ὕπαγε, “Go, tell him his fault.” This has not been noticed in the Vers. Germ.-E. B.

Rec. Text has καὶ, with abc Vulg. Hilary, and Lucifer. But BD Orig. omit καὶ.-ED.