The Church in Pursuit
Remember, though you go the first time to your sinning brother, you're not free to stop and walk away from your pursuit if he doesn't hear you in that meeting. No, Jesus calls you to keep praying and persist in going back with witnesses for both your benefit and his. Now, though you go a second time to him with them, Jesus says that you still aren't free to stop and walk away if he refuses to hear them. What does this refusal specifically mean? The Greek word for "refuses" lit. means that the sinning brother won't listen to sound counsel. In fact, such refusal not only means the ears are turned off, but the word also carries the meaning that he is willing to do the opposite and disobey the counsel given. Do you see the fruit of pride in the stubborn and hard heart here? If he refuses, know that your pursuit is to remain prayerful and persistent, but it stops being private as you must tell the matter to the church. This being said, it's right to keep the matter confidential with the church.