Being responsible for one another in Matt 18
Ian Paul
30.33
4 September 2023
12 November 2025
The gospel reading for Trinity 14 in Year A, Matt 18.15–20, comes within the fourth of the five collections of teaching organised by Matthew to, in some sense, present Jesus as a new Moses. Having focussed on discipleship (Matt 5–7), mission (Matt 10), and the kingdom of heaven (Matt 13), this collection gathers sayings on life together in the 'ekklesia'. The Greek term 'ekklesia' never denotes a physical structure in the NT [nor, I would add, an institution with regulations and structure] but always a community of people.
James and Ian explore the surprising things Jesus says about our relationships, and their implications for ministry and discipleship today.
Revd James Blandford-Baker is vicar of Histon and Impington, two villages just north of Cambridge. Revd Dr Ian Paul is Associate Minister of St Nic's, Nottingham, and writes the widely-read blog www.psephizo.com. Full written commentary behind the discussion can be found on the blog each week.