Matthew 18

Matthew 18:1

Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?

Master, which of us shall be the greatest in that glorious kingdom, which thou art about to restore unto Israel?

Matthew 18:3

Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Verily I say unto you, Except ye put off all ambitious thoughts, and become meek and humble as little children, ye shall not be meet to take up any stations, in this my Spiritual Kingdom here, and much less in the Glorious Kingdom of Heaven above.

Matthew 18:4

Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

It is my rule, to measure greatness by humility: whosoever shall so humble himself as this little child, abasing himself in his conceits below all others, that man is and shall be the greatest in my kingdom.

Matthew 18:5

And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.

And whosoever shall shew kindness to one of these my lowly and meek-spirited servants, for my sake, I shall esteem it as done to myself.

Matthew 18:6

But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were

hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. And whosoever shall offer any wrong or indignity to any one of these humble clients of mine, that believe in me, it were better for him, that he were drowned in the depth of the sea, or underwent any other temporal death; for this unjust measure of his shall be punished with eternal.

Matthew 18:7

Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!

Woe be to the world, because of those many stumbling blocks, which men lay in each others’ way to salvation! Such there will be every where, but woe to those, by whom they are laid!

Matthew 18:10

For I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.

For they are in so high and dear respect with God, that he hath appointed his angels in heaven to take charge of them here on earth; and they are ever ready, pitching their tents about them; and do ever attend, either to their safeguard or revenge.

Matthew 18:13

And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray.

He is more affected with the recovering of that one sheep which was lost, than with the safety of the rest of the flock; because the danger wherein that one sheep was, and the care and fear that he was in for it, caused his joy to be thereupon increased.

Matthew 18:15

Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he will hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.

When thy brother hath done an offence whereto thou only art privy, do not at the first bring him to public censure, but first deal privately with him, for his repentance and reformation; and if he shall receive the good counsel and admonition thou gavest him, thou hast gained thy brother.

Matthew 18:17

And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

And if he shall neglect the advice and reproof of them, make thy complaint to them who have the managing of the public censures of the Church, that they may proceed against him accordingly: but if he neglect or disregard those public courses of his reformation, let him be avoided of thee as a man unworthy of thy conversation or respect, no less than as

Matthew 18:19

Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.

The single prayers of faithful suppliants shall not want audience and respect from God; but when they are doubled, by the conjunction of the hearts of more suitors and the united forces of many fervent desires, they cannot but be more effectual, and shall receive a gracious acceptation from my Father which is in heaven.

Matthew 18:20

For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

For, so highly do I respect the assemblies of my faithful servants, that, where any number of them shall be met together in a sincere desire to do me service, I will be there present with them by my Spirit, for the exciting, and directing, and accepting of their holy endeavours.

Matthew 18:22

I say not unto thee, Until seven times; but, Until seventy times seven.

I say unto thee, thou mayest not be too severely niggardly of thy remissions, to bound them within a set and small number; but must be open-handed to a free forgiveness, though it be never so oft, where thou shalt see likely arguments of repentance, and hopes of amendment.