Binding and Loosing

Binding and Loosing

Besides giving Peter the keys to the kingdom, Jesus also gave Peter authority to bind and loose.

"And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." - Matthew 16:19 

The meaning of "bind" and "loose" in this scripture, using the Thayer's lexicon, appears to do with apostolic authority. Thayer's lexicon defines these Greek words in the context of the verse:

The definition of "bind" is “to forbid” (“by a Chaldean and rabbinical idiom (equivalent to אֲסַר), to forbid, prohibit, declare to be illicit: Matthew 16:19; Matthew 18:18.)”

The definition of "loose" is: "to declare lawful" (“by a Chaldean and Talmudic usage (equivalent to אַתֵּר, שְׁרֵא (cf. Winer's Grammar, 32)), opposed to δέω (which see 2 c.), to declare lawful: Matthew 16:19; Matthew 18:18”).

Thus, to “bind” and “loose” in this verse has to do with law and doctrine.

Jesus gave Peter the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Jesus then said whatever Peter would “declare unlawful” on earth would be unlawful in heaven, and whatever Peter would “declare lawful” on earth, would be lawful in heaven. 

Thus, Peter was given authority to establish law (doctrine). 

Peter acted in this authority after he was filled with the Holy Ghost on the Day of Pentecost.

"And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." - Acts 2:4 

The multitude that gathered said, what meaneth this? 

"But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:" - Acts 2:14 

When Peter preached the gospel to the people, they responded. 

"Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?" - Acts 2:37 

With the authority given to him by Jesus, Peter then declared what would become doctrine.

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." - Acts 2:38