Matthew 18:19

“Again, I say unto you, etc.] As the words in the former verse seem to regard the whole body of the disciples, whose decisions in cases brought before them, declaring them just or unjust, are determinate and unalterable; these seem to respect the one or two, that should join the offended person in the reproof of the offender, and are spoken for their encouragement; who might think proper either to premise, or follow their engaging in such a work with prayer: that if two of you shall agree on earth, as touching anything that they shall ask; both in the case before mentioned, and in any other thing: whether it be for themselves or others; to assist them in the ministry of the word, and give…”

“Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.”

“Again I say unto you, That if two of you ... - This is connected with the previous verses. The connection is this: The obstinate man is to be excluded from the church, Matthew 18:17. The care of the church - the power of admitting or excluding members - of organizing and establishing it - is committed to you, the apostles, Matthew 18:18. Yet there is not need of the whole to give validity to the transaction. When two of you agree, or have the same mind, feelings, and opinion, about the arrangement of affairs in the church, or about things desired for its welfare, and shall ask of God, it shall be done for them. See Acts 1:14-26; Acts 15:1-29. The promise here has respect to the apostles in…”

“18:19 anything you ask: In the context of church discipline (18:15-17), this suggests that discipline must be done in prayer.”

“That if: Mat 5:24, Mat 21:22; Mar 11:24; Joh 15:7, Joh 15:16; Act 1:14, Act 2:1, Act 2:2, Act 4:24-31, Act 6:4; Act 12:5; Eph 6:18-20; Phi 1:19; Jam 5:14-16; Jo1 3:22, Jo1 5:14-16; Rev 11:4-6 it shall: Joh 14:13, Joh 14:14, Joh 16:23 Matthew 18:20”