Luke 17 3

Luke 17:3 kjv

Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.

Luke 17:3 nkjv

Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.

Luke 17:3 niv

So watch yourselves. "If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them.

Luke 17:3 esv

Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him,

Luke 17:3 nlt

So watch yourselves! "If another believer sins, rebuke that person; then if there is repentance, forgive.

Luke 17 verses

Luke 17 3 Meaning

This verse provides a crucial instruction for Christian interpersonal relations concerning sin and reconciliation. It calls for personal vigilance in one's conduct ("Take heed to yourselves"). Then, it outlines a two-step process for addressing an offense by a fellow believer: first, to confront or "rebuke" them directly for their wrongdoing; second, if that brother demonstrates genuine "repentance," to extend full "forgiveness" without hesitation. The teaching underscores accountability, the necessity of addressing sin within the community, and the readiness to grant mercy when contrition is evident.

Luke 17 3 Context

Luke 17:3 appears within a discourse by Jesus to His disciples concerning the ethics of the Kingdom. The preceding verses (Luke 17:1-2) warn against causing others to stumble in their faith, emphasizing the severe consequences for those who become a "stumbling block." This immediate context sets the stage for Luke 17:3, shifting the focus from the one who causes the stumble to how believers are to respond when they are stumbled by another. Jesus then directly addresses how to manage offenses and reconcile within the community. The subsequent verse (Luke 17:4) builds upon the teaching, illustrating the seemingly unreasonable extent of forgiveness required. Overall, this passage is part of Jesus’ broader teachings on discipleship, emphasizing humility, service, and radical kingdom ethics in preparation for His passion and the coming of the Kingdom of God. The Jewish cultural background placed a strong emphasis on communal responsibility and settling disputes internally, making such teachings resonate with their understanding of law and righteousness.

Luke 17 3 Word analysis

• Take heed (προσέχετε - prosechete): An imperative verb meaning "pay attention," "beware," "watch out," or "guard yourselves." It conveys a command for personal vigilance and careful consideration of one's own spiritual state and actions, particularly in anticipation of how to respond to others.
• to yourselves (ἑαυτοῖς - heautois): A reflexive pronoun emphasizing internal and personal responsibility. It suggests that one's own spiritual posture and readiness are critical before engaging in the rebuke-forgive process.
• If (ἐὰν - ean): A conditional conjunction, introducing a hypothetical yet expected situation. It acknowledges that offenses will inevitably occur within the community of believers.
• thy brother (ὁ ἀδελφός σου - ho adelphos sou): Refers to a fellow believer, a member of the spiritual family. This limits the scope of the instruction primarily to those within the community of faith, implying a shared bond and mutual accountability.
• trespass (ἁμαρτήσῃ - hamartēsei): From ἁμαρτάνω (hamartano), meaning "to sin," "to miss the mark," "to go wrong." The term refers to an offense, an act of disobedience against God's law or the moral standard, and in this context, directly affecting another person.
• against thee (εἰς σέ - eis se): Emphasizes that the offense is personal and directed specifically at the one who is to respond, making it an intimate matter requiring direct engagement.
• rebuke him (ἐπιτίμησον αὐτῷ - epitimēson autō): An imperative verb derived from ἐπιτιμάω (epitimão), meaning "to admonish," "to correct," "to censure," "to scold with a view to correction." This is not an attack but a firm, loving confrontation aimed at exposing the sin and leading to repentance. It carries an authoritative tone, similar to how Jesus rebukes demons or the wind, implying a clear identification of wrong and a call to stop.
• and if he repent (καὶ ἐὰν μετανοήσῃ - kai ean metanoēsē): Introduces the crucial second condition. Μετανοήσῃ (metanoēsē) comes from μετανοέω (metanoeō), "to change one's mind," "to turn around," implying a sincere change of heart and action from the sin. It is a genuine, active turning away from wrong and towards God and righteousness.
• forgive him (ἄφες αὐτῷ - aphes autō): An imperative verb from ἀφίημι (aphiēmi), meaning "to let go," "to release," "to pardon," "to send away," "to remit (sins)." It is an immediate and complete act of releasing the offender from the debt or grievance caused by their sin, conditioned upon their genuine repentance.

• "Take heed to yourselves": This phrase serves as a foundational call to spiritual discipline and self-examination. Before any interaction, especially confrontational ones, a believer must ensure their own heart is right, free from bitterness or unrighteous motives, enabling a response rooted in Christlikeness rather than self-righteousness.
• "If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him": This is a structured ethical pathway for managing offenses within the Christian community. It sets out a clear, sequential response: (1) recognition of the offense, (2) direct and corrective confrontation, and (3) a complete and immediate act of forgiveness upon the offender's genuine repentance. It links repentance as the necessary condition for granting forgiveness, creating a dynamic of mutual accountability and grace.

Luke 17 3 Bonus section

The seemingly demanding nature of forgiving "seven times a day" (Luke 17:4), following directly after this verse, highlights that the process is less about the count of offenses and more about the Christ-like character of unlimited mercy when repentance is genuine. This contrasts sharply with cultural tendencies to hold grudges or demand punitive measures.

The command to "rebuke" a brother is not an open invitation to condemn but is an act rooted in love and the desire for spiritual restoration, akin to a shepherd guiding a stray sheep. It anticipates that an honest heart will respond to correction with humility, leading to true repentance and reconciliation, a pathway that echoes the New Covenant emphasis on internal transformation.

Luke 17 3 Commentary

Luke 17:3 lays down a foundational principle for relational ethics within the body of Christ. Jesus’ command for believers to "take heed" of themselves emphasizes the vital importance of internal readiness and spiritual maturity when facing offenses. This self-awareness ensures that one approaches the situation not with anger or a spirit of judgment, but with discernment and love.

The passage then outlines a two-step process that maintains both truth and grace. First, "rebuke him" calls for direct and loving confrontation. This is not about shaming but about correction, born out of concern for the brother's spiritual well-being and the integrity of the community. It's an active step that refuses to let sin fester. Second, the crucial conditional "and if he repent, forgive him" stresses that forgiveness is inextricably linked to genuine contrition. This is a divine model: God forgives those who truly repent. Forgiveness is a releasing, a letting go of the grievance, but it requires the offender's turning from their wrong. This creates a pathway for reconciliation and the restoration of fellowship, fostering healthy, accountable relationships where sin is addressed and mercy is readily offered.

Practical usage examples:

• Family: A family member wrongs another; instead of brooding, directly and calmly tell them how their action was hurtful, then forgive completely if they genuinely apologize.
• Church: A fellow church member offends you; address the issue directly and privately with them, and if they express repentance, extend full forgiveness to maintain unity.
• Workplace (Christian context): If a Christian colleague speaks ill of you, you might respectfully confront them, explaining the impact of their words, and upon their regret, choose to release the offense.