Matthew 18:18
French (La Bible expliquée)
« Je vous le déclare, c'est la vérité: tout ce que vous exclurez sur terre sera exclu dans le ciel; tout ce que vous accueillerez sur terre sera accueilli dans le ciel.
What Does This Mean?
Jesus is speaking and says that when you decide something as a group in God's name on earth, it will also be decided the same way in heaven. This means your decisions have spiritual significance.
Explained for Children
Imagine you're playing a game with friends, and everyone agrees to follow certain rules. Jesus is saying that when Christians agree about important things, it’s like agreeing on those game rules but with God's help. What they decide here matters in heaven too!
Historical Background
Matthew wrote this Gospel around AD 80-90 for a Jewish-Christian audience. This verse was likely spoken during Jesus' teachings to his disciples, emphasizing the importance of their decisions and unity.
Living It Out Today
Imagine a group of friends deciding on how to help someone in need. If they agree it's important work in God’s name, this decision would have spiritual backing. It means their efforts are aligned with heaven’s will.
Topics
faithspiritual authoritycommunitydecision-makingheavenly alignmentunity
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is 'binding and loosing' according to Matthew 18:18?
Binding and loosing refer to making decisions or judgments that have spiritual significance. When a group of believers decides something, it aligns with God’s will.
How does this verse relate to church governance?
It suggests that the collective decisions made by church leaders in line with God's guidance carry spiritual weight and are supported by heaven.
Can individuals apply Matthew 18:18 on their own, or must it be a group effort?
Traditionally, this verse is interpreted to mean that the binding and loosing should happen within a community context. However, some may see individual prayers aligning with heaven’s will.
What are the practical implications of Matthew 18:18 for everyday Christians?
It implies that decisions made in faith by Christian communities can have spiritual outcomes, encouraging believers to seek unity and divine guidance when making choices.