“If your brother sins against you, go, show him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained back your brother.
Christ prescribes a middle way, not winking at faults through deadly flattery, nor pursuing offenders with excessive bitterness. The difficulty lies in exercising forbearance while preserving the freedom to reprove what deserves condemnation, seasoning admonitions with moderation so the weak are not discouraged by harshness.
AI summary
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. (5) We must strive for agreement, and not to revenge injuries. (e) If his offence is such that only you know your brother's offence.
Brotherly reproof is a duty for church members, but it must be private and prudent to succeed. When private admonition fails, the church's governors execute censures on the obstinate; those excommunicated are to be shunned entirely, regarded as heathens unfit for conversation.
AI summary