Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.
Ver. 23. Whose soever sins ye remit, &c.] Remission of sin is the chief benefit of the gospel: and for the creed (which is the sum of the gospel) all the former articles are perfected in that of "remission of sins;" and all the following articles are effects of it. Now none can remit sins, but God; to speak properly. Papists tell us of one that could remove mountains, but to remit sins is peculiar to God alone. Man may remit the trespass, but God only the transgression. Howbeit ministers may, and in some cases must, "declare unto man his righteousness,"Job 33:23; pronounce, in Christ's name, the truly penitent righteous in God's sight, by Christ's righteousness freely imputed and given unto them. They must also retain, by the same authority, and bind upon impenitent sinners (so continuing) their sins to destruction, "Having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience,"2 Corinthians 10:6. This we may do, as ministers, and more we claim not.