Matthew 18

  18:1-6.  This is how to be great in the kingdom of heaven.  Be converted (turned), become like a child (be born again).  Conversion turns the values of the world upside down.  The least is the greatest.  Humility, dependence, and need are the conditions of childhood.  Childhood is the gate to maturity (1 Pet.2:2).  V.5 declares the close identity Jesus has with the humble and childlike.  The humble have an awesome defender (v.6).  (See the punishment of Amalek for harassing the weak of Israel, Dt.25:17-19 and 1 Sam.15).

     18:8-9.  See notes Mt.5:29.

     18:10.  Cf. Luke 1:19; Rev.8:2.  The little ones have terrible angelic defenders who always stand in God’s court.

     18:14.  Will any such then perish?  No!  So don’t be afraid to become like a child.

     18:15-20.  This is an application of the parable of the lost sheep.  The straying sheep of the church need to be brought back if possible.  But if they will not listen, the church is to use the keys to bind them to their sins (Mt.16:19; John 20:23).  Why?  For the sake of others who may wander away by their example, and as a last attempt to bring repentance.  Vv.19-20 are a further assurance that the church has the authority of Christ to properly administer discipline.

     18:21-35 is a further expansion of v.18, which shows how ready we all must be to use the keys of the kingdom to loosen and free men from their sins by forgiveness if there is repentance.  Up to seven times?  Yes, and seven is a symbolic number, so don’t bother counting.

     The debts in the parable are a metaphor for sins, as in the Lord’s Prayer.  (See notes at Ro:13:8).  It’s hard to compare buying power in today’s money, but based on a day’s average wages then and now, rather than silver content, the amounts are much higher. Perhaps two billion dollars owed to the master, and eight or ten thousand owed by the fellow slave.  In v.28, the first slave is unwilling to use the keys of forgiveness to loose the debt.  In v.31, the fellow slaves go to their lord and use the keys to bind.  Notice that they are grieved.  They leave the anger to their lord.  V.35 assumes as fact that we all have an impossible debt that will be called in if we show no mercy to our debtors when they ask forgiveness.