Matthew 18:17

Church. Gr. ekklesia, from ek, “out,” and kaleo, “to call.” Originally ekklesia referred to an assembly of citizens summoned to consider civic matters. In the LXX the Greek words sunagoge, “synagogue,” and ekklesia are both commonly used with reference to the “assembly,” or “congregation,” of Israel. As sunagoge came to refer especially to a Jewish religious assembly, it is only to be expected that the Christians might prefer to use ekklesia to denote their assemblies. In Christian usage ekklesia meant either the place of worship or the body of worshipers, whether or not assembled together. Here the “church” is the local body of believers acting in their corporate capacity, not the church universal as in ch. 16:18.

As an heathen man and a publican. Or, “as the Gentile and the taxgatherer.” By refusing the counsel of the church the erring member has severed himself from its fellowship (DA 441). This does not mean that he should be despised or shunned or neglected. Efforts should now be put forth for the erring member as for any nonmember. In working for a person who has thus severed himself from the church, members should beware of associating with him in such a way as to make it appear that they share his point of view or participate with him in his evil course of action.