But if he will not listen to you, and remains obdurate, you must not go and make his sin public, but choose one or two witnesses (Matt. 18.15 f). These witnesses are necessary for two reasons. First they are needed to establish the fact of the sin—that is to say, if the accusation cannot be proved and is denied by the member of the congregation, leave the matter in God’s hand; the brethren are meant to be witnesses, not inquisitors! But secondly they are needed to prove the offender’s refusal to repent. The secrecy of the disciplinary action is meant to help the sinner towards repentance.
