The Power of Binding and Losing

The power of binding and loosing in a first entry Jewish context referred to the ability to make binding legal decisions. This is evident, for example, from the writings of Josephus where he at one point talks about how the Pharisees could exercise that authority through their influence over Queen Alexandra. But this was primarily a legislative and judicial power, rather than a doctrinal power, but it does interact with doctrine. The Holy Spirit guides the church in its mission. So when the church issues a non definitive teaching, meaning it's not an infallible teaching, the Holy Spirit is presumed to still be guiding the church. And so there can be human elements which can include mistakes in non definitive teachings