18 I assure you and most solemnly say to you, whatever you bind [forbid, declare to be improper and unlawful] on earth [f] shall have [already] been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose [permit, declare lawful] on earth [g] shall have [already] been loosed in heaven.

19 “Again I say to you, that if two [h] believers on earth agree [that is, are of one mind, in harmony] about anything that they ask [within the will of God], it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered in My name [meeting together as My followers], I am there among them.”

Matthew 18:18-20 (AMP)

Keep the context

These verses must be understood in the context of the previous post which is talking about discipline within the body of Christ. Some of us, including the author, have improperly applied v 20 (or at least wondered what it really means) and not considered the context. Let’s see how that plays out here.

Bind/Loose Repeat

The astute among us will recognize verse 18 as being the same as Matthew 16:19b. In that passage, the focus is on His kingdom whereas here the context is discipline in the church. “The ‘whatever’ again seems to include people and privileges, [which the disciples were given. Through scripture and prayer] … The disciples would determine God’s will in each particular instance of rendering judgment in the church … Then they would announce their decision … [and] would give or withhold whatever the judgment might involve, but they would really be announcing what God, the divine authority, had already decided.” (planobiblechapel.org)

Vending machine god

Moving on, we must be careful not to take verses out of context. How many times have you heard someone say, “Come, let’s agree on this together…so that it will be done, for God says…” and this verse is quoted. God becomes like a heavenly vending machine. Is that really what Jesus is saying? 

Or is He saying something like, “If a few of you agree on a matter of church discipline (which is very sensitive but very necessary for church body health), having sought the will of the Father in His Word and prayer, He will support the decision”. Remember the context is church discipline and v16 talks about 1-2 witnesses.

I am with you

It is definitely true that Jesus is with us. At the end of his book, in Matthew 28:20, Jesus will tell the disciples, “and behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” This is a wonderful promise that brings much encouragement to followers of Christ – especially in times of trouble and suffering.

But as noted above, some take (or have in the past taken 😀) v 20 to mean that whenever we gather, for whatever purpose, in His name, He is with us. While that may be true, the context, again, is church discipline – continuing the thought from v19. His presence among them has a purpose of sealing the judgment that is rendered in the church discipline.

RЯeflection

• Have you interpreted any of these verses in a way that might be different from its intended use? Is God your vending machine? Carefully review the passage and the context. If you find that what I’ve shared is not correct, please post a comment.
• Are you in a situation where church discipline needs to be applied? Remember the steps from yesterday. With love through prayer, execute your role.