Andy I see it the same way. I have a "wait on this one" but it was building a bit because there are a few questionable places in it. Its the only one that is throwing my judgment study into a spin. If it does that I need to look closer at it, I understand that so I'm doing "just that".
In Mathew 18, the parable starts out as one being forgiving a debt he could not pay right?
Mathew 18:27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.[/u] (because he could not "pay it" it was forgiven right?)
Now listen...
Math 18:28 But the SAME SERVANT went out, and found one of his FELLOW SERVANTS, which owed him an hundred pence: and he LAID HANDS ON HIM, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.
Math 18:29 And his fellow servant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, HAVE PATIENCE WITH ME, and I will pay thee all.
A fellow servant, handed over?
1Cr 5:12-13 For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? Do you not judge those that are within? But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore PUT AWAY THE WICKED PERSON from among you
Math 18:30 And HE WOULD NOT; but "cast him into prison", till he should pay the debt.
Math 18:31 So when his fellow servants saw what was done, THEY WERE VERY SORRY, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.
2Cr 2:2 For IF I MADE YOU SORRY, who is he then that maketh me glad, BUT THE SAME WHICH IS MADE SORRY BY ME?[/u]
Giving an "Account" of yourself, judged by The Lord, the wicked servant is NOT FORGIVING the TRESSPASS.
Math 18:32 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, "I FORGAVE THEE" ALL THAT DEBT, because thou desiredst me:
Math 18:32 SHOULDEST THOU NOT ALSO have HAD COMPASSION on THY FELLOW SERVANT, even as I had pity on thee?
Math 18:34 And HIS LORD WAS WROTH, and delivered him TO THE TORMENTORS, "till" he should pay all that was "due unto him".
Romans 2:9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; (God is not a respecter of persons)
2Cr 2:4-6 FOR OUT OF MUCH ANGUISH OF HEART I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved,but that "ye might know the love" which I HAVE MORE ABUNDANTLY UNTO YOU. But if any have caused grief, he hath not grieved me, but in part: THAT I MIGHT NOT OVERCHARGE YOU. Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of many.
Math 18:25 So likewise shall my heavenly Father DO ALSO UNTO YOU, IF YE FROM YOUR HEARTS FORGIVE NOT every one "his brother" THEIR TRESSPASSES.[/u]
Change of mind
2Cr 2:7 So that CONTRARYWISE you OUGHT TO FORGIVE HIM, and COMFORT, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.
2Cr 2:8 Wherefore I BESEECH YOU that ye would CONFIRM YOUR LOVE TOWARD HIM.[/u]
2Cr 2:9 For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be obedient in all things.[/u]
2Cr 2:10 To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ[/u]
2Cr 2:11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.
The very one Paul handed this man over to. See the comparisons between these, knowing Paul was an ensample to show the loving kindness of God, yet God not being a respecter of persons and God judging Paul not man? I'm not yet convinced. But as you picked up on the parable that it was NOT the man who trespassed who was accountable to the Lord but the one who did NOT forgive the tresspass. So one is seen as being wicked in the eyes of Paul, but in the parable the wicked man was he that "forgave not". See what I'm talking about? Then see the "change of mind in Paul" as He quickly admonishes them to forgive this man. No one received any damage and the other had felt ssorrowful for what he had done, so all was good in the end.
Just interesting thats all.
Daniel