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.

MATTHEW 18:15KJV
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Matthew 18:15 (KJV)

What does Matthew 18:15 mean?

Matthew 18:15 teaches that if someone close to you, like a fellow believer, wrongs you, you should go to that person privately and talk about the issue. If the person listens and responds, the relationship is restored and you have "gained your brother."

In this verse, Jesus is speaking to his disciples about how to handle personal conflicts within their community. The instruction is to address problems directly and privately, not publicly or through gossip. The goal is reconciliation, not punishment, and the verse highlights the value of restoring relationships rather than letting conflicts grow.

The Greek behind Matthew 18:15

  • "trespass" (ἁμαρτήσῃ, hamartēsē): This word is often understood as "to sin" or "to do wrong." Here, it refers to a personal offense or wrongdoing between two people, not just a general mistake.
  • "go" (ὕπαγε, hypage): The Greek word here is an active command, emphasizing that the responsibility to start the conversation lies with the person who was wronged.
  • "tell him his fault" (ἔλεγξον αὐτὸν, elegxon auton): This phrase means to point out the fault or show the person their mistake, but it carries the sense of doing so with the aim of correction, not condemnation.
  • "gained" (ἐκέρδησας, ekerdēsas): This word means to win over or regain, suggesting that the relationship is something valuable that can be recovered through honest conversation.

Why Matthew 18:15 matters

  • Matthew 18:15 clears up the idea that conflicts should be handled quietly and directly, rather than being spread around or ignored.
  • The verse emphasizes personal responsibility in seeking reconciliation, showing that restoring relationships is a priority in Jesus' teaching.
  • This instruction fits into a larger section where Jesus teaches about humility, forgiveness, and caring for one another within the community, highlighting the importance of unity and peace.

Where else these words appear

“between” Greek G3342 · used in 9 verses

  • Matthew 23:35 That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.
  • Luke 16:26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.
  • Acts 13:42 And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next sabbath.

“gained” Greek G2770 · used in 15 verses

  • Matthew 16:26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
  • Mark 8:36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?
  • 1 Corinthians 9:21 To them that are without law, as without law,(being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.

“tell” Greek G1651 · used in 17 verses

  • Luke 3:19 But Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him for Herodias his brother Philip's wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done,
  • 1 Corinthians 14:24 But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:
  • Titus 1:9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

“trespass” Greek G264 · used in 37 verses

  • Matthew 18:21 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?
  • Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
  • Titus 3:11 Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.