What does it mean that your brother sins against you (Matthew 18:15)?

In Matthew 18, Jesus teaches His followers how to handle conflicts and offenses within the community of believers. Jesus focuses on humility and forgiveness, stating, “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. 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. 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” (Matthew 18:15–17, ESV).

Preceding these verses, Jesus speaks about humility in the context of becoming like little children (Matthew 18:1–5) and the seriousness of causing a fellow believer to stumble in sin (Matthew 18:6–9). He also relates the parable of the lost sheep (Matthew 18:10–14), which emphasizes God’s unyielding desire to seek and restore those who have strayed from Him. Immediately following Matthew 18:15, Jesus instructs His disciples on the steps of reconciliation.

The underlying lesson of these combined teachings is this: when a believer offends a fellow believer, he or she should seek restoration and reconciliation at nearly any cost. That is how important the subject is to God. The Lord’s instructions are not about punishing offenders, but about a process for restoring broken relationships and maintaining the spiritual health of the church.

This process, described in Matthew 18:15–20, is often applied to church discipline, and rightly so. However, the scope of the instruction goes beyond just extreme cases of sin that affect the entire church. Jesus said, “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone.”

Who, then, is “your brother?”

Jesus chose a broad, inclusive term (adelphos in Greek), which can mean “neighbor,” but was primarily applied to a member of the same religious community, such as a fellow Israelite or fellow Christian. In the culture of Jesus’ time, “your brother” would be understood instantly as signifying the close relationships among His followers, those bound together by shared faith and commitment. The Lord’s audience also comprehended that “your brother” was not referring to a biological sibling, but a fellow church member—a brother or sister in Christ. One modern translation clarifies this idea, noting, “If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense” (Matthew 18:15, NLT).

Christ instructs church members to address conflicts privately and lovingly before involving others. By saying “your brother,” Jesus places the focal point of His teaching on interpersonal relationships within the Christian community. The Lord knows that conflict and offense can arise even among those who share deep emotional bonds. He wants His followers to appreciate that these relationships are valuable and worth repairing. They should not be abandoned simply because difficulties arise.

To “sin against” someone is to commit an act that violates God’s standard of right and wrong, with direct impact on another person. The word for “sin” here (hamartēsē in Greek) means “to miss the mark” or to act in a way contrary to God’s will. It refers specifically to a personal offense, something one member of the faith community does that injures, wrongs, or offends another.

The sin might be lying, cheating, betrayal, slander, theft, or any action that causes harm and broken fellowship. Jesus is not referring to minor annoyances or personal preferences, but rather to real offenses that breach trust or cause spiritual, emotional, or relational damage.

Jesus instructs the injured party to take the initiative in restoring the relationship: “Go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back” (Matthew 18:15, NLT).

If your brother sins against you, God invites you to exercise active, courageous love within the community of faith. He calls humble followers to take the first step toward healing and restoration. Jesus’ instructions preclude waiting passively, harboring resentment, or spreading the offense through gossip. Personal offenses are to be dealt with directly, compassionately, and one-on-one at first. This command protects the dignity of the person who sinned and allows him or her the opportunity to respond without public shame or embarrassment. The purpose is not to win an argument or seek vengeance, but to reconcile and restore what was broken by the sin.

Whether in ancient times or today, dealing with a sister or brother who sins against you is a difficult challenge. May we follow the Lord’s guidance and live out the radical, reconciling love that is at the heart of Christ’s mission and message (see John 15:13; Romans 12:10; 15:1–3; 1 Corinthians 10:24; Galatians 5:13; Philippians 2:3–4).