Verses often taken out of context or misused: Matthew 18:20
Matthew 18:20 [20] For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” (ESV)
This is often incorrectly used to encourage other Christians to meet or to legitimize a small gathering or even to excuse regular church attendance. Used in the idea of “well at least we know Jesus is here with us”. While this is certainly true that He is always with those that are His. This is not what this passage is about. Those usages can be detrimental as it may lead some to not understand the omnipresence of the Lord. Or to mentally give permission to someone’s actions for not being involved in a church body.
What is it about? Church discipline, done with the desire and hope to restore your brother/sister based on the work of Christ.
Look at the context:
Matthew 18:15–20 [15] “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. [16] But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. [17] If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. [18] Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. [19] Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. [20] For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” (ESV)
An example of this discipline is found in 1 Corinthians which results in the removal of the offender as it appears that they are unrepentant:
1 Corinthians 5:1–5 [1] It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans, for a man has his father’s wife. [2] And you are arrogant! Ought you not rather to mourn? Let him who has done this be removed from among you.[3] For though absent in body, I am present in spirit; and as if present, I have already pronounced judgment on the one who did such a thing. [4] When you are assembled in the name of the Lord Jesus and my spirit is present, with the power of our Lord Jesus, [5] you are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord. (ESV)
Matthew 18:20 within the context should encourage us (along with other Christians) to boldly confront sin in the Church. With the backing of proper scripture usage as support, we can know that God joins with us in this effort to protect the church body.
