What Does Matthew 18:17 Mean in the King James?
And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The boundary arrives only after the same refusal to hear has moved from the witnesses to the whole assembly.
THE MEANING
The verse carries a private matter into widening circles of hearing: first the witnesses, then the assembly. When even the assembly is disregarded, the person is treated as a heathen and a publican, outside the shared community.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
One person’s refusal to hear is enough to end the relationship; here, the boundary follows only after the assembly too is refused.
THE ROOT
παρακούσῃ
parakousē
GROWS FROM
ἀκούω
akouō
To hear or listen; in this compound, to disregard or refuse to heed.
“neglect to hear” in this verse is parakousē. The Greek repeats παρακούω (parakouō, disregard or refuse to heed) for both refusing the witnesses and refusing the assembly. The same hearing threshold remains as the circle widens: the issue is not missing a sound, but disregarding what is said.
ALSO GROWS
akouō: Hear, listen.
ἀκούω
This is the hearing named in the preceding verse, where witnesses are brought into the matter.
hypakouō: Obey, heed.
ὑπακούω
This related form shows how hearing can include responding to what is heard, not merely receiving sound.
ἐκκλησία
ekklēsia
GROWS FROM
καλέω
kaleō
Call or summon; the noun ἐκκλησία (ekklēsia) means an assembly in this verse.
“Church” can sound like an institution, while ἐκκλησία (ekklēsia, assembly) here means the gathered community. Its form is related to καλέω (kaleō, call or summon), but the verse’s force rests on the assembly as a body whose hearing matters.
ALSO GROWS
klēsis: Calling, invitation.
κλῆσις
This related word keeps the idea of a gathering in view as people brought together.
klētos: Called, invited.
κλητός
Its shared word family echoes the assembly’s gathered character, which gives this matter a public hearing.
THE PATTERN
A disputed matter moves toward a communal boundary through accountable hearing, with witnesses establishing the matter before the community acts.
One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.THE THREAD
But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.Matthew 18:16 uses ἀκούω (akouō, hear or listen) for the first refusal; verse 17 uses παρακούω (parakouō, disregard or refuse to heed) as that hearing test reaches the assembly. The shared root makes the shift one of scale: first the witnesses speak, then the assembled body.
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