Matthew 18:18

[JugglingReferee]

Did a search for this and with the number of hits I was getting, ti was clear that other threads were in the search results…

As I understand it, there are some passages that could be narrowed down to be foundation of our faith. These passages show the Papacy (rock), etc…

Reading Matthew 18:18-19:

18 Amen, 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, (amen,) I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything for which they are to pray, it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father.

This statement seems (to me) to be a foundation passage for the faith. However, I can’t exactly determine why. I figure that I don’t know the fiath well enough right, otherwise I wouldn’t need to ask this question.

What exactly is this passage saying, or I am reading too much into it’s importance? And who is “you” in “if two of you agree”. Are these 2 people? Two bishops? ???

 

[thistle]

Did a search for this and with the number of hits I was getting, ti was clear that other threads were in the search results…

As I understand it, there are some passages that could be narrowed down to be foundation of our faith. These passages show the Papacy (rock), etc…

Reading Matthew 18:18-19:

This statement seems (to me) to be a foundation passage for the faith. However, I can’t exactly determine why. I figure that I don’t know the fiath well enough right, otherwise I wouldn’t need to ask this question.

What exactly is this passage saying, or I am reading too much into it’s importance? And who is “you” in “if two of you agree”. Are these 2 people? Two bishops? ???

D-R Bible, Haydock Commentary:

Ver. 18. Whatsoever you shall bind, &c. The power of binding and loosing, which in a more eminent manner was promised to St. Peter, is here promised to the other apostles and their successors, bishops and priests. (Witham) — The power of binding and loosing, conferred on St. Peter, excelled that granted to the other apostles, inasmuch as to St. Peter, who was head and pastor of the whole Church, was granted jurisdiction over the other apostles, while these received no power over each other, much less over St. Peter. (Tirinus) — Priests receive a power not only to loose, but also to bind, as St. Ambrose writeth against the Novatians, who allowed the latter, but denied the former power to priests. (Lib. i. de pœnit. chap. ii.) (Bristow)

Ver. 19. That if two of you. From these words, we learn how superior is public to private prayer. The efficacy of the former is attributed to the presence of Christ in those assemblies. The Father, for his Son’s sake, will grant petitions thus offered. (Jansenius) — The fervour of one will supply for the weakness and distractions of the other.

 

[COPLAND_3]

litteralchristianlibrary.wetpaint.com/page/Matt.+16

Here is a link to a commentary on Matthew 16: 13 - 19. You will notice that verse 19 parallels Matt. 18:18, but the difference is that Chapter 16 the focus is on the supremacy of judicial power that was given to St. Peter. Click onto the link above and scroll down to verse 19, you will be able to read what the Cathecism of the Catholic Church says and also what the Early Church Father Rabanus had to say about it, it is very informative.

Hope this helps!

 

[myredeemerlives]

If you continue reading you’ll see that Jesus says after it when two or three are gathered in my name, He is there also,

Mat 18:20For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

So when two believers agree on anything to pray and ask God for, it will be done for them.

 

[thistle]

D-R Bible, Haydock Commentary:

Ver. 17. Tell the church. This not only shews the order of fraternal correction, but also every man’s duty in submitting to the judgment of the Church. (Witham) — There cannot be a plainer condemnation of those who make particular creeds, and will not submit the articles of their belief to the judgment of the authority appointed by Christ. (Haydock)

Ver. 18. Whatsoever you shall bind, &c. The power of binding and loosing, which in a more eminent manner was promised to St. Peter, is here promised to the other apostles and their successors, bishops and priests. (Witham) — The power of binding and loosing, conferred on St. Peter, excelled that granted to the other apostles, inasmuch as to St. Peter, who was head and pastor of the whole Church, was granted jurisdiction over the other apostles, while these received no power over each other, much less over St. Peter. (Tirinus) — Priests receive a power not only to loose, but also to bind, as St. Ambrose writeth against the Novatians, who allowed the latter, but denied the former power to priests. (Lib. i. de pœnit. chap. ii.) (Bristow)

Ver. 19. That if two of you. From these words, we learn how superior is public to private prayer. The efficacy of the former is attributed to the presence of Christ in those assemblies. The Father, for his Son’s sake, will grant petitions thus offered. (Jansenius) — The fervour of one will supply for the weakness and distractions of the other.

Ver. 20. There am I in the midst of them. This is understood of such assemblies only, as are gathered in the name and authority of Christ; and in unity of the Church of Christ. (St. Cyprian, de Unitate Ecclesiæ.) (Challoner) — St. Chrysostom, Theophylactus, and Euthymius explain the words in his name, thus, assembled by authority received from Christ, in the manner appointed by him, or for his sake, and seeking nothing by his glory. Hence we may see what confidence we may place in an œcumenical council lawfully assembled. (Tirinus) (St. Gregory, lib. vii. Regist. Epist. cxii.)