[SolomoninSouthDakota]

"I'm a Gentile, and St. Matthew was a tax collector.

Matthew 21:28-31 Jesus said to them, "Amen, I say to you, tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you"

But a reasonable interpretation would be that the author was giving practical advice to the christian community, not at all intending a subtle juxtaposition as you suggest. To counsel someone to treat another as a tax collector or a Gentile would be to advise them to avoid that other at minimum.

[SaltyJoe]

Avoiding the other is not only a minimum, but probably a maximum as well. There comes a time when a saintly person has to shake the dust from his clothes and sandals and leave a sinner to his sin. But I don't recall such saintly people writing after action reports of "where are they now" interests. It's unlike an Apostle or Christian Disciple to boast, "Ya see, I told ya so. You didn't listen, and now look at you. LOOK at YOU!" This sort of tactic doesn't work on children, and it sure as heck doesn't work for adults.