Binding and Loosing

Natsumi Lam

Preparer of the Bride
Supporter
Jan 31, 2015
1,543
682
✟120,306.00
Country
United States
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Private
Hi Family,

What does this verse mean to you?

How do you apply it to your life?

Is it physical, spiritual or both?

Which heaven is it talking about?

Matthew 16:19 - And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

~Natsumi Lam~
 

Ttalkkugjil

Social Pastor
Mar 6, 2019
1,680
908
Suwon
✟34,572.00
Country
Korea, Republic Of
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Politics
CA-Others
Christ confers on all that believe the keys of heaven's kingdom. Christ has David's key, the power to lock and unlock God's kingdom. He has earned mercy for sinners. He gives this power to his disciples. Whosoever believes has part in Jesus and in all that Jesus has. Whosoever believes is in God's kingdom, has forgiveness, life and salvation, and may impart also to others the kingdom's treasures.
 
Upvote 0

FireDragon76

Well-Known Member
Supporter
Apr 30, 2013
30,477
18,456
Orlando, Florida
✟1,249,462.00
Country
United States
Faith
United Ch. of Christ
Marital Status
Legal Union (Other)
Politics
US-Democrat
Christ confers on all that believe the keys of heaven's kingdom. Christ has David's key, the power to lock and unlock God's kingdom. He has earned mercy for sinners. He gives this power to his disciples. Whosoever believes has part in Jesus and in all that Jesus has. Whosoever believes is in God's kingdom, has forgiveness, life and salvation, and may impart also to others the kingdom's treasures.

The Office of the Keys is most closely associated with preaching the Gospel, either in sermons or in proclaiming the absolution of sins. It's the authority invested by Christ in the Church.

We do perform private and general confession and absolution, for instance this is a common formula used in our church for private absolution:

"God, the Father of mercies, through the death of his Son, has reconciled the world to himself, and has sent the Holy Spirit among us for the forgiveness of sins. As a called and ordained minister in the Church of Christ, I now declare to you the entire forgiveness of all your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen"
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ttalkkugjil
Upvote 0

Ttalkkugjil

Social Pastor
Mar 6, 2019
1,680
908
Suwon
✟34,572.00
Country
Korea, Republic Of
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Politics
CA-Others
The Office of the Keys is most closely associated with preaching the Gospel, either in sermons or in proclaiming the absolution of sins. It's the authority invested by Christ in the Church.

We do perform private and general confession and absolution, for instance this is a common formula used in our church:

The vast majority of confession in the Baptist tradition is between the saint and God. There is no saint to pastor confession, and little congregational confession, going on.
 
Upvote 0

FireDragon76

Well-Known Member
Supporter
Apr 30, 2013
30,477
18,456
Orlando, Florida
✟1,249,462.00
Country
United States
Faith
United Ch. of Christ
Marital Status
Legal Union (Other)
Politics
US-Democrat
The vast majority of confession in the Baptist tradition is between the saint and God. There is no saint to pastor confession, and little congregational confession, going on.

It's also part of our public worship too. We usually begin with a public, corporate confession and absolution before the entrance. That's similar to the Roman practice. The pastor opens with a prayer of invocation of some sort and we might sing a short refrain for the day. The pastor says an admonition (typically something like "If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us..." etc.), we say the public confession together, which varies by season, then the pastor declares absolution, which again usually varies by season. Then we have the entrance from the back of the church.

Lutherans aren't required to confess privately to God. I would guess some do, particularly those that follow a daily office (Compline or night prayer is always good for this), but we have no teaching if you don't that it's wrong, necessarily. Private confession to a pastor is typically reserved for life transitions, such as first communion, for returning to the Church, for times that it is felt it is needed by the individual, or when obligated by membership in a religious order (yes, we do have those, too).

Back when Pastor was a kid, at his church, it was quite "old world" and monthly private confession was required to receive the Sacraments. But back even then, it varied from congregation to congregation.
 
Upvote 0

Saint Steven

You can call me Steve
Supporter
Jul 2, 2018
18,580
11,385
Minneapolis, MN
✟930,116.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Hi Family,

What does this verse mean to you?

How do you apply it to your life?

Is it physical, spiritual or both?

Which heaven is it talking about?

Matthew 16:19 - And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

~Natsumi Lam~
This is an interesting topic. Thanks.

The subject of Binding and Loosing appears twice in the Gospel of Matthew.
In chapter sixteen as provided in the OP and also in chapter eighteen as shown here for comparison. However the context is quite different. See below.

Matthew 18:18
“Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.

Matthew 16:19
I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Notice that the context is quite different. See below.
The chapter sixteen passage is titled: Peter Declares That Jesus Is the Messiah
The chapter eighteen passage is titled: Dealing With Sin in the Church
Yet the principle of binding and loosing applies to both.
Therefore we must identify the commonality.

Matthew 16:17-20
Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” 20 Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.

Matthew 18:15-20
“If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. 16 But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ 17 If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector. 18 “Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. 19 “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”
 
Upvote 0

Saint Steven

You can call me Steve
Supporter
Jul 2, 2018
18,580
11,385
Minneapolis, MN
✟930,116.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
A few more passages come to mind on this subject. We should consider them for comparison and analysis.

Mark 3:27 KJV
No man can enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house.

Mark 3:23-29
So Jesus called them over to him and began to speak to them in parables: “How can Satan drive out Satan? 24 If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 25 If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. 26 And if Satan opposes himself and is divided, he cannot stand; his end has come. 27 In fact, no one can enter a strong man’s house without first tying him up. Then he can plunder the strong man’s house. 28 Truly I tell you, people can be forgiven all their sins and every slander they utter, 29 but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; they are guilty of an eternal sin.”

Luke 13:15-16
The Lord answered him, “You hypocrites! Doesn’t each of you on the Sabbath untie your ox or donkey from the stall and lead it out to give it water? 16 Then should not this woman, a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has kept bound for eighteen long years, be set free on the Sabbath day from what bound her?”
 
Upvote 0

Dave-W

Welcoming grandchild #7, Arturus Waggoner!
Supporter
Jun 18, 2014
30,521
16,866
Maryland - just north of D.C.
Visit site
✟771,800.00
Country
United States
Faith
Messianic
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Others
Binding is getting all the demons together, and loosing is kicking them out.
That is a popular pentecostal/charismatic idea, but it is entirely fictitious.

Binding and loosing were well-understood terms in first century Judea, so the disciples knew EXACTLY what our Lord was talking about. In those days, leading rabbis developed codes of conduct designed to assist the common Jew to walk in obedience to the 613 commands of the Law of Moses. While the commands themselves seem clear enough, how they apply to specific situations are not always that clear. For instance, you are not allowed to work on the sabbath; but is picking and eating grain "work?" (Matt 12.2) Rabbi Shammai said it WAS work, but Rabbi Hillel said it was not work. (both in 1st century BC)

So Rabbi Hillel said plucking and eating grain for one's own consumption was LOOSED, while Rabbi Shammai said it was BOUND.

Loosed = permitted
bound = forbidden​

IOW, by telling Peter and the disciples they had authority to bind and loose, HE was telling them they had authority to make new rules on how New Covenant believers were to live, what was permitted and what was forbidden. The result was the writing of the New Testament.
 
Upvote 0

Gregory Thompson

Change is inevitable, feel free to spare some.
Supporter
Dec 20, 2009
28,362
7,742
Canada
✟721,286.00
Country
Canada
Faith
Christian Seeker
Marital Status
Married
Hi Family,

What does this verse mean to you?

How do you apply it to your life?

Is it physical, spiritual or both?

Which heaven is it talking about?

Matthew 16:19 - And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

~Natsumi Lam~
I tend to look at the binding and loosing like writing a code, then executing it, writing a law and then ratifying it type thing. When it is applied according to God's will, it's called intercession, if it's applied according to my will, it's called witchcraft.

Heaven in that sense is where God is - the physical laws are different there.
 
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

Saint Steven

You can call me Steve
Supporter
Jul 2, 2018
18,580
11,385
Minneapolis, MN
✟930,116.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
That is a popular pentecostal/charismatic idea, but it is entirely fictitious.

Binding and loosing were well-understood terms in first century Judea, so the disciples knew EXACTLY what our Lord was talking about. In those days, leading rabbis developed codes of conduct designed to assist the common Jew to walk in obedience to the 613 commands of the Law of Moses. While the commands themselves seem clear enough, how they apply to specific situations are not always that clear. For instance, you are not allowed to work on the sabbath; but is picking and eating grain "work?" (Matt 12.2) Rabbi Shammai said it WAS work, but Rabbi Hillel said it was not work. (both in 1st century BC)

So Rabbi Hillel said plucking and eating grain for one's own consumption was LOOSED, while Rabbi Shammai said it was BOUND.

Loosed = permitted
bound = forbidden​

IOW, by telling Peter and the disciples they had authority to bind and loose, HE was telling them they had authority to make new rules on how New Covenant believers were to live, what was permitted and what was forbidden. The result was the writing of the New Testament.
What does that have to do with the gates of Hades, church disciplinary actions, and looting the strongman's house?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Hillsage
Upvote 0

HTacianas

Well-Known Member
Jul 9, 2018
8,459
8,968
Florida
✟321,876.00
Country
United States
Faith
Eastern Orthodox
Marital Status
Single
Hi Family,

What does this verse mean to you?

How do you apply it to your life?

Is it physical, spiritual or both?

Which heaven is it talking about?

Matthew 16:19 - And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

~Natsumi Lam~

That is a "Church order" commandment, giving Peter primacy among the apostles by granting Peter the "keys to the kingdom". In modern times we still sometimes grant "the key to the city" to dignitaries.

Later, at Matthew 18:18, Jesus gave all the apostles the power to "bind and loose" which is a general authority to make decisions for the Church. That authority was exercised famously by the Council of Jerusalem at Acts 15 when the apostles decided against requiring circumcision for gentiles entering the Church.
 
Upvote 0

Saint Steven

You can call me Steve
Supporter
Jul 2, 2018
18,580
11,385
Minneapolis, MN
✟930,116.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
That is a "Church order" commandment, giving Peter primacy among the apostles by granting Peter the "keys to the kingdom". In modern times we still sometimes grant "the key to the city" to dignitaries.

Later, at Matthew 18:18, Jesus gave all the apostles the power to "bind and loose" which is a general authority to make decisions for the Church. That authority was exercised famously by the Council of Jerusalem at Acts 15 when the apostles decided against requiring circumcision for gentiles entering the Church.
Since the keys to the kingdom are used to bind and loose, how does Peter gain "primacy among the apostles" when the authority to bind and loose (keys to the kingdom) are given to everyone in Matthew chapter eighteen?
 
Upvote 0

HTacianas

Well-Known Member
Jul 9, 2018
8,459
8,968
Florida
✟321,876.00
Country
United States
Faith
Eastern Orthodox
Marital Status
Single
Since the keys to the kingdom are used to bind and loose, how does Peter gain "primacy among the apostles" when the authority to bind and loose (keys to the kingdom) are given to everyone in Matthew chapter eighteen?

I did not say the keys to the kingdom grant the authority to bind and loose. I said the keys to the kingdom grant Peter primacy among the apostles.
 
Upvote 0

Dave-W

Welcoming grandchild #7, Arturus Waggoner!
Supporter
Jun 18, 2014
30,521
16,866
Maryland - just north of D.C.
Visit site
✟771,800.00
Country
United States
Faith
Messianic
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Others
What does that have to do with the gates of Hades, church disciplinary actions, and looting the strongman's house?
Gates of Hades: Gates were where the local leadership gathered to discuss issues of the day. The gates of hades would have meant the strategy and schemes of the devil. (2 Corinthians 2:11) What the apostles wrote would equip the saints to withstand that.

Church Discipline: It would give good outline for giving structure to the church and how to carry out discipline.

Looting the strongman's house. Nothing at all. Different metaphor.
 
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

Saint Steven

You can call me Steve
Supporter
Jul 2, 2018
18,580
11,385
Minneapolis, MN
✟930,116.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
I did not say the keys to the kingdom grant the authority to bind and loose. I said the keys to the kingdom grant Peter primacy among the apostles.
Jesus was speaking to all the disciples. He had a conversation in the middle of that whole discussion with Peter. You can't claim he was only speaking to Peter about the keys to the kingdom. Especially when the keys to the kingdom (defined as binding and loosing) are given to everyone in Matthew chapter eighteen?
 
Upvote 0

Saint Steven

You can call me Steve
Supporter
Jul 2, 2018
18,580
11,385
Minneapolis, MN
✟930,116.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Gates of Hades: Gates were where the local leadership gathered to discuss issues of the day. The gates of hades would have meant the strategy and schemes of the devil. (2 Corinthians 2:11) What the apostles wrote would equip the saints to withstand that.

Church Discipline: It would give good outline for giving structure to the church and how to carry out discipline.

Looting the strongman's house. Nothing at all. Different metaphor.
That serves to prove my point.
Nothing about creating "new rules" for "New Covenant believers".

This post seems more in line with the intent to me.
Although I disagree with you about looting the strongman's house.
Since binding and loosing deals with the schemes of the devil, there is a definite connection.
 
Upvote 0

Romans 8

Well-Known Member
Supporter
Feb 16, 2019
1,410
1,151
Canada
✟114,753.00
Country
Canada
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Married
That is a popular pentecostal/charismatic idea, but it is entirely fictitious.

Binding and loosing were well-understood terms in first century Judea, so the disciples knew EXACTLY what our Lord was talking about. In those days, leading rabbis developed codes of conduct designed to assist the common Jew to walk in obedience to the 613 commands of the Law of Moses. While the commands themselves seem clear enough, how they apply to specific situations are not always that clear. For instance, you are not allowed to work on the sabbath; but is picking and eating grain "work?" (Matt 12.2) Rabbi Shammai said it WAS work, but Rabbi Hillel said it was not work. (both in 1st century BC)

So Rabbi Hillel said plucking and eating grain for one's own consumption was LOOSED, while Rabbi Shammai said it was BOUND.

Loosed = permitted
bound = forbidden​

IOW, by telling Peter and the disciples they had authority to bind and loose, HE was telling them they had authority to make new rules on how New Covenant believers were to live, what was permitted and what was forbidden. The result was the writing of the New Testament.


No. This is not just some historical theological concept we’re taught in bible university, this is for us today.

The church is built on the rock of Jesus Christ. The gates of hell (Satan and all his strategies) shall not prevail because Jesus Christ conquered on the cross.

Mat 16:19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

The keys of the Kingdom are varied and given to the body of Christ when we need them. Each of us requires something different depending, what works for you may not work for someone else. Jesus gives us the keys. When the keys of heaven are released, one can bind an illness here on earth, and loose it in heaven. What is done in heaven is also done on earth. Jesus lives in you, wherever He is, His Kingdom is present. We’re binding the work of the devil, whether it’s physical illness, mental illness, curses, etc. Christ has already redeemed us by his blood, this is our inheritance.
Jesus gave us everything, deliverance, healing, prosperity, blessing, peace, joy, righteousness, Praise God!

Eph 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,
 
  • Agree
Reactions: Ken C.
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

Dave-W

Welcoming grandchild #7, Arturus Waggoner!
Supporter
Jun 18, 2014
30,521
16,866
Maryland - just north of D.C.
Visit site
✟771,800.00
Country
United States
Faith
Messianic
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Others
Mat 16:19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
Authorization to write the NT.
 
Upvote 0