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Mat_18:16. Second gradus admonitionis. The one or the two who accompany him are likewise intended to take part in the ἐλέγχειν (see αὐτῶν , Mat_18:17).
ἵνα ἐπὶ στόματος , κ . τ . λ .] in order that, in the mouth of two or three witnesses, every word may be duly attested; i.e. in order that every declaration which he makes in answer to your united ἐλέγχειν may be heard by two or three persons (according as one or two may happen to be present besides thyself), and, on the strength of their testimony ( ἐπὶ στόματος , òì ôé ), may be duly authenticated, so that in the event of his submitting to the ἐλέγχειν the possibility of evading or denying anything afterwards will be precluded; or else, should he prove so refractory that the matter must be brought before the church, then, in the interests of this further disciplinary process, it will be of consequence to have the declaration made by him in the previous attempt to deal with him in an authentic and unquestionable shape.
In order to convey His idea, Jesus has used, though somewhat freely (otherwise in 2Co_13:1), the words of the law, Deu_19:15, and made them His own. Comp. 1Ti_5:19.