And if he will not listen to them, tell the Church. But if he will not listen to the Church, let him be to you like the pagan and the tax collector. (Mt 18:17)
ἐὰν δὲ παρακούσῃ αὐτῶν, εἰπὲ τῇ ἐκκλησίᾳ· ἐὰν δὲ καὶ τῆς ἐκκλησίας παρακούσῃ, ἔστω σοι ὥσπερ ὁ ἐθνικὸς καὶ ὁ τελώνης.
Quod si non audierit eos: dic ecclesiæ. si autem ecclesiam non audierit: sit tibi sicut ethnicus, et publicanus.
In the context of this word, it is worth mentioning the Evangelist – the tax collector Matthew. In the scene of his calling, when they have already been at the table with Christ, an incredibly important question is asked by the Pharisees: “Does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”. I can’t give up on anyone, because he/she will hear “follow Me” and change his/her thinking.
