Matthew 18:15

If your brother sins against you, go and confront him privately. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over.

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — Jesus addresses his disciples within a larger discourse on the community of believers (Matthew 18), following the parable of the lost sheep. The moment is a direct instruction on how to handle a specific offense between two members.

The words — ἁμαρτήσῃ (hamartēsē), aorist subjunctive of ἁμαρτάνω, "shall sin," frames the offense as a discrete act directed at a person, not a general condition. This grammatical choice makes the confrontation a response to a concrete wrong, not a character judgment.

The thread — Leviticus 19:17 commands direct rebuke to prevent harbored hatred; Luke 17:3 pairs rebuke with forgiveness upon repentance; Galatians 6:1 adds the qualifier of gentleness in restoration.

Why it lands — It places the initiative on the one who was wronged, requiring them to go first and alone before any escalation. The reader is asked to act, not to wait for the offender to come forward.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

King James Version

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.

Cross-references

Leviticus 19:17 You must not harbor hatred against your brother in your heart. Directly rebuke your neighbor, so that you will not incur guilt on account of him.
Galatians 6:1 Brothers, if someone is caught in a trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him with a spirit of gentleness. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.
Luke 17:3 Watch yourselves. If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.
2 Thessalonians 3:15 Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.
Colossians 3:13 Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
James 5:19 My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back,
Proverbs 25:9 Argue your case with your neighbor without betraying another’s confidence,
Romans 12:21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Psalms 141:5 Let the righteous man strike me; let his rebuke be an act of loving devotion. It is oil for my head; let me not refuse it. For my prayer is ever against the deeds of the wicked.
Matthew 18:35 That is how My heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.”