26 “…do not use meaningless repetition…” 27 “…do not be like them…”

Matthew Sermon on the Mount 2 Comments

Jesus was talking specifically about a method of prayer that involved repeating a word or phrase over and over and over again. God already knows what I need more than I do and therefore such repetition is not necessary. From a secular perspective I think that this idea of avoiding mindless repetition in prayer may have application to meditation and memorization techniques.

26 “…do not use meaningless repetition…”
27  “…do not be like them…”

Mt 6:7,8

RECIPIENT:  To the disciples in the hearing of the crowds on the mountain

Mt 5:1-2 When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him.  2He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying…

CONTEXT:    A continuation of the Sermon on the Mount

Mt 6:1-6  “Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven.”
2“So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.  3But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,  4so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.”
5“When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.  6But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.”

COMMAND FULL TEXT AND RESULT:  

Mt 6:7-8 “And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words.”  8So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.”

Also, result after Jesus concluded the sermon

Mt 7:28-29; 8:1 When Jesus had finished these words, the crowds were amazed at His teaching; 29for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.
1When Jesus came down from the mountain, large crowds followed Him.

DEFINITIONS:  Key Greek Words – Removes ambiguity of the Bible text.

(word: Strong’s #   greek word    pronunciation   —   definition)

meaningless repetition:  945 βαττολογεìω bat-tol-og-eh’-ō   —   to talk much with little purpose

gentiles: 1482 ἐθνικοìς eth-nee-kos’   —  the nations

COMMENT:  
Why did Jesus mention the Gentiles here and who are they and what is their significance to this command?  

Jesus was speaking to a crowd that consisted primarily of Jewish people.  The Greek word ἔθνος  eth’-nos, is translated into English as, “gentile” means a multitude of the human family and by implication non-Jewish.  
The Bible states that the Jewish nation was chosen by God to be the nation whereby if they would obey His commands then He would demonstrate His goodness so that the greater world of people would see and be drawn to obedience to God.  In this way He could bless them too.
Unfortunately the Jewish nation failed to obey  God’s commands and incurred His wrath instead. But, the Jewish people of Jesus’ day held dearly to the bigoted belief that they were better than the rest of the people in the world.  Therefore, Jesus’ use of the term ἔθνος in this command as a negative example was an acknowledgement of the crowd’s beliefs and not an endorsement of them.

Repeating over and over and over again

Jesus told his followers not to use the methods of prayer that the Gentiles used when praying to their gods.  The Gentiles’ method of prayer involved repeating a word or phrase over and over and over again. The Judeo-Christian belief is that God already knows what I need more than I do.  My non-repetitious prayer is a demonstration to God that I believe in Him and that He hears me.

Persistent prayer is deliberate 

Persistent prayer is deliberate and not mindless.  Jesus said not to use mindless repetition in prayer.  He also said elsewhere to pray persistently. He even told a story about persistent prayer.

Lk 18:1-7  Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart,  2Saying, “In a certain city there was a judge who did not fear God and did not respect man.  3There was a widow in that city, and she kept coming to him, saying, ‘Give me legal protection from my opponent.’  4For a while he was unwilling; but afterward he said to himself, ‘Even though I do not fear God nor respect man, 5yet because this widow bothers me, I will give her legal protection, otherwise by continually coming she will wear me out.’   6And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge said;  7Now, will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night, and will He delay long over them?

A good way to drive conscience ideas into my subconscious mind is to memorize.  When I memorize anything it involves a lot of repetition; but it is not mindless.  Memorizing a great quote or a relevant Bible verse is a form of meditation. I’ve found, for me, that mere repetition does not work well to memorize or meditate on something I want to learn.  However, writing what I’m memorizing and drawing pictures of the ideas and then speaking it out load are very effective.

PERSONAL APPLICATION:  

I should creatively involve my mind and not use mere repetition for more effective meditation or prayer.  I must use words that are meaningful.  Any repetition I use must be deliberate for a purpose beyond filling the time or to just to be heard.  

Please share a comment, question or perhaps another application for this command of Jesus.

© 2018 Christopher Carlson

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB

25  “…go into your …room, close your door and pray …in secret…”

Matthew Sermon on the Mount No Comments

Jesus did not prohibit prayer in public with this command because He and the apostles practiced public prayer on occasion. With this command, Jesus points out that effective prayers are not uttered for the purpose of self aggrandizement.  The most effective prayers are spoken with humble belief. Even in private such prayers or meditations are heard by God and drive ideas deep into the heart and subconsciousness mind.

COMMAND 25:  “…go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret…”

Mt 6:6

RECIPIENT:   To the disciples in the hearing of the crowds on the mountain

Mt 5:1-2 When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him.  2He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying…

CONTEXT: A continuation of the Sermon on the Mount   

Mt 6:1-5  “Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven.”

2“So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.  3But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,  4so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.”

5“When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.”

COMMAND FULL TEXT:  

Mt 6:6 “But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret…”

RESULT:  

Mt 6:6b “…and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.”

Also, when Jesus finished His sermon after the next chapter 

Mt 7:28-29; 8:1 When Jesus had finished these words, the crowds were amazed at His teaching; 29for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.
1When Jesus came down from the mountain, large crowds followed Him.

COMMENT:  

Jesus did not prohibit public prayer with this command. He and the apostles practiced public prayer on occasion. With this command, Jesus pointed out that God does not reward people who pray (or speak) in public for the purpose of self aggrandizement; that kind of speech has its own reward in public opinion. Jesus said that God hears people who pray with humility and who honor Him.

Most prayer is in secret. But there are times when it is appropriate for people to pray together. On occasion Jesus and His followers prayed out loud and in groups with the clear purpose and result to honor God.

What example of prayer did Jesus and the apostles give?  

Jesus prayed publicly 

Jn 11:41-42 So they removed the stone. Then Jesus raised His eyes, and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me.  42I knew that You always hear Me; but because of the people standing around I said it, so that they may believe that You sent Me.”  

Jesus prayed privately

Mt 14:23 After He had sent the crowds away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray; and when it was evening, He was there alone;   

Mt 26:36  Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to His disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray”;

Mk 1:35  In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left {the house,} and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there.

The apostles prayed publicly  

Ac 4:24ff  And when they heard {this,} they lifted their voices to God with one accord and said, “O Lord, it is You who MADE THE HEAVEN AND THE EARTH AND THE SEA, AND ALL THAT IS IN THEM,…  

Ac 6:5-6  …And they chose out Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, 6each of whom they made stand before the apostles. And having prayed, they placed their hands on them.

Ac 20:36 When he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all.

The apostles prayed privately  

Ac 9:40 But Peter sent them all out and knelt down and prayed, and turning to the body, he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up.  

Ac 10:9  On the next day, as they were on their way and approaching the city, Peter went up on the housetop about the sixth hour to pray.

My Opinion

I think that this command is related to the popular idea of “Attraction”.  My take on the idea of “Attraction” is that meditation and prayer serve to drive conscience ideas into the subconscious.  When I truly believe in an idea, my subconscious mind begins to work ordering my conscience thoughts and actions.  By this mechanism I begin to act in ways that attract like minded individuals and I notice opportunities that would have otherwise been missed. Of course it’s important that I choose those individuals and opportunities well!

DEFINITIONS:  Key Greek Words – Removes ambiguity of the Bible text.

go:  1525 εἰσεìρχομαι  ice-er’-khom-ahee  — to go in

inner room: 5009 ταμεῖον   tam-i’-on  — a storage chamber, storeroom

secret: 2927 κρυπτοìς  kroop-tos’   —  concealed or  private

PERSONAL APPLICATION: 

Private meditation or prayer is an invaluable tool.  It strengthens my thinking and assists my subconscious mind to order my actions according to belief.  Associating with carefully chosen like-minded people is an excellent method to multiply the results.

Please share a comment, question or perhaps another application for this command of Jesus.

© 2018 Christopher Carlson

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB

24 “…you are not to be like the hypocrites…”

Matthew Sermon on the Mount No Comments
Photo: Dawn Carlson – The Cheboygan light has been guiding mariners since the 1880’s. Jesus’ words have been guiding souls since the 0030’s! 

I think we humans have a keen sense to spot a hypocrite when we see one.  It is much more difficult to see hypocrisy in ourselves. I find it difficult to know my own motives.  Spiritual disciplines, prayer and personal improvement with the company of like minded souls are all helpful for me to recognize what is right and to have the wisdom to apply it appropriately with the proper motives.  

COMMAND 24: “…you are not to be like the hypocrites…”

Mt 6:5

RECIPIENT:   To the disciples in the hearing of the crowds on the mountain

Mt 5:1-2 When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him.  2He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying…

CONTEXT:  A continuation of the Sermon on the Mount   

Mt 6:1-4  “Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven.  2So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.  3But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,  4so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.”

COMMAND FULL TEXT:

“When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men.”

RESULT:  

Mt 6:5b “Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.”

Also

Mt 7:28-29; 8:1 When Jesus had finished these words, the crowds were amazed at His teaching; 29for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.
1When Jesus came down from the mountain, large crowds followed Him.

COMMENT:  

I think we humans have a keen sense of hypocrisy when we see it in others.  It is much more difficult to see it in ourselves. I find it difficult to know my own motives.  Pure unselfish motives are difficult to maintain. Indeed, pure unselfish motives may be impossible in most circumstances.  If I build myself up and belittle others with my public words, most people will perceive the words as coming from someone who is arrogant or hypocritical. The reason people perceive hypocrisy is because often the very attitudes and actions I might point out as character flaws in other people are obviously present in myself but manifested differently.  If I use religious cover such as a prayer to display my arrogance then the prayer looks like hypocrisy to others. Spiritual disciplines, prayer and self improvement with the company of like minded souls is helpful for me to recognize what is right and to have the wisdom to apply it appropriately.  

DEFINITIONS:  Key Greek Words

pray:  4336 προσευìχομαι pros-yoo’-khom-ahee  — to pray

hypocrites: 5273 ὑποκριτηìς hoop-ok-ree-tace’  — one who answers, an actor, a hypocrite

love: 5368 φιλεìω  fil-eh’- ō  — to love (brotherly love)

stand: 2476 ἱìστημι his’-tay-mee  — to make to stand, to stand

seen: 5316 φαιìνω fah’ee-nō  — to bring to light, cause to appear

men: 444 ἀìνθρωπος anth’-rō-pos  — a human being

PERSONAL APPLICATION: 

I must demonstrate the attitude of humility whenever I speak publicly.   The purpose of public speaking is not to call attention to myself for personal glory. Instead, the purpose is to bring benefit to the listeners. The value of the benefit I produce will win appropriate praise.

Please share a comment, question or perhaps another application for this command of Jesus.

 

© 2018 Christopher Carlson

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB

22 – 23 “When you give…do not…”

Matthew Sermon on the Mount 2 Comments

How  should I conduct myself while “practicing righteousness” in the form of giving?  Jesus’ command contains very practical instruction to ensure that gifts I give help the recipient, protects me the giver and keeps me from looking tacky when giving.  I might have combined 21, 22 and 23 since they are all so closely related. 

COMMAND 22: “So when you give… do not sound a trumpet …”
COMMAND 23: “But when you give…, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,”

 Mt 6:2-3

CONTEXT: A continuation of the Sermon on the Mount   

Mt 6:1 “Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven.”  

RECIPIENT:   To the disciples in the hearing of the crowds on the mountain

Mt 5:1-2 When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him.   2He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying…

COMMAND FULL TEXT:  

Mt 6:2  “So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored by men.”

Mt 6:3   “But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing …”

RESULT:  

For sounding a trumpet: Mt 6:2b “Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.” 

For your right hand keeping a secret from your left hand:  Mt 6:4 “…so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees {what is done} in secret will reward you.”

Also a result after Jesus finished talking:  Mt 7:28-29; 8:1 When Jesus had finished these words, the crowds were amazed at His teaching; 29for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.
 1When Jesus came down from the mountain, large crowds followed Him.

COMMENT:    Jesus spoke similar word when He was invited to eat with a Jewish leader;

Lk 14:12-14  And He also went on to say to the one who had invited Him, “When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, otherwise they may also invite you in return and {that} will be your repayment.   13“But when you give a reception, invite {the} poor, {the} crippled, {the} lame, {the} blind,   14and you will be blessed, since they do not have {the means} to repay you; for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

Don’t blow your own horn!

I think that the command to not sound a trumpet when giving to charity is the source of the idiom “to blow your own horn.”  Acts of mercy or alms done for public show bring glory or esteem to oneself as the sole reward for doing them. Showing acts of mercy or giving alms publicly are not evil things to do. However, Jesus is saying that the credit for the deed  is not deposited into my “heavenly account.” The implication is that there is such an account! Another way that I can summarize is to say that the more I impress people with my gifts to charity the less God is impressed with the gifts.  My giving for the purpose of personal glory is certainly not the wisest investment!

A reason for public giving

I think that there is a place for public show of charity for the purpose of encouraging others to give.  I do not think Jesus prohibits such giving.  In my opinion however, this kind of giving should be the exception rather than the norm.

Obviously, I cannot keep a secret from my own body.  

Therefore, the text has deeper meaning.   If I take active steps to keep my gifts secret then only God and I will know about it.  The recipient who benefits has no one to thank but God. Also, he or she will not be able to pressure me to give them more. Also, if I give In this way, I will demonstrate personal faith in God since He is the only one who can reward me.

DEFINITIONS:  Key Greek Words – Removes ambiguity of the Bible text.

give:  G1654 ἐλεημοσύνη  el-eh-ay-mos-oo’-nay —  mercy, pity, specifically alms

sound a trumpet:  G4537  σαλπίζω  sal-pid’-zō  —  to make known by trumpeting

hypocrites:  G5273 ὑποκριτής  hoop-ok-ree-tace’  —  one who answers – as an actor on a stage

honored: G1392 δοξάζω  dox-ad’-zō  —   to render or esteem glorious

PERSONAL APPLICATION:  See also Mt 6:1

Do not to make a tacky public show of giving gifts to individuals or contributions to charitable organizations that help the poor.  In most cases I should take deliberate steps to keep my contributions hidden from even those who are close to me. I can have faith that the people will be helped and have peace that no one will come to me asking for more.

Please share a comment, question or perhaps another application for this command of Jesus.

 

© 2018 Christopher Carlson

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB

21 “Beware of practicing your righteousness before men…”

Matthew Sermon on the Mount 1 Comment

This command is about how to demonstrate love, that is practicing your righteousness, to people with acts of service or charity.  It is also about who gets the credit.

COMMAND 21: “Beware of practicing your righteousness before men…”

Mt 6:1

RECIPIENT:   To the disciples in the hearing of the crowds on the mountain,

Mt 5:1-2 When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him.  2He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying…

CONTEXT: A continuation of the Sermon on the Mount:  

Mt 5:43-48 “You have heard that it was said, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR and hate your enemy.’  44“But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.  46“For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?  47“If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?  48“Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

COMMAND FULL TEXT:  “Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them;”
RESULT:  

Mt 6:1b “…otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven.”

Also  at the end of the sermon
Mt 7:28-29; 8:1 When Jesus had finished these words, the crowds were amazed at His teaching; 29for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.
1When Jesus came down from the mountain, large crowds followed Him.

COMMENTS:  

At first this command appears to contradict Matthew 5:16 “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” The current command to beware of practicing your righteousness (good works) in order to show-off how good you are is actually a complementary instruction to Matthew 5:16.  I can do a good deed to receive the praise of people or I can do it in a way so that people give their praise to God.  I think that my human nature is prone to brag about how good I am!  The intended result of who gets the credit makes all the difference.   

Here are other Bible verses that are relevant to the subject of practicing your righteousness.

Lk 6:38 “Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure — pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.”  

Ep 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

1 Tm 6:18 {Instruct them} to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share,

The morning after Jesus had performed a great miracle by feeding a crowd of thousands with only five barley loaves and two fish some of the crowd went looking for Him in order to receive another free meal.

Jn 6:24-26  So when the crowd saw that Jesus was not there, nor His disciples, they themselves got into the small boats, and came to Capernaum seeking Jesus.  25When they found Him on the other side of the sea, they said to Him, “Rabbi, when did You get here?”  26Jesus answered them and said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled.”

DEFINITIONS:   Key Greek Words – Removes ambiguity of the Bible text

beware:  G4337  προσέχω  pros-ekh’-ō  —   to pay attention, be cautious

righteousness:  G1654  ἐλεημοσύνη  el-eh-ay-mos-oo’-nay  —  mercy, pity, specifically alms

before:  G1715  ἔμπροσθεν  em’-pros-then  —   before, in front of in place or time

men: G444  ἄνθρωπος  anth’-ro-pos  —   people

noticed:  G2300  θεάομαι  theh-ah’-om-ahee —  to behold, look upon

PERSONAL APPLICATION:  See also Matthew 6:2, 3 next week

When I demonstrate acts of kindness or mercy and when I give to charity or to an individual do not, in general, make a public show of it in order to receive public praise.  Help in a way that is beneficial to the recipient, does not result in dependency and so that any praise given by the recipients is given to God or perhaps to an organization.

Please share a comment, question or perhaps another application for this command of Jesus.

© 2018 Christopher Carlson

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB

20 “… you are to be perfect… ”

Matthew Sermon on the Mount 2 Comments
  • This command is not about individuals never making mistakes; it is about love.  Jesus commands us to demonstrate agape love to the people around us, even to our enemies.  Perfect agape love is manifest in meeting the basic needs of people such as food, water, shelter, clothing, security, education and perhaps several others.

COMMAND 20:  “… you are to be perfect… ”

REFERENCE:  Mt 5:48
RECIPIENT:   To the disciples in the hearing of the crowds on the mountain,

Mt 5:1-2 When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him.  2He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying…

CONTEXT: A continuation of the Sermon on the Mount  

Mt 5:43-48 “You have heard that it was said, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR and hate your enemy.’  44But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.  46“For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?  47If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?  48Therefore…”

COMMAND FULL TEXT:  “Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

 

RESULT:   No stated result except for two chapters later when Jesus came down from the mountain

Mt 7:28-29; 8:1 When Jesus had finished these words, the crowds were amazed at His teaching; 29for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.
1When Jesus came down from the mountain, large crowds followed Him.

DEFINITIONS:  Key Greek Words – Removes ambiguity of the Bible text

perfect:  G5046   τέλειος   tel’-i-os  — complete in various applications of labor, growth, mental and moral character, etc.

COMMENTS:  In context of “…love your enemies.”

These verses are part of the same paragraph as Command 19 (“…love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…”) and therefore are in the same context.

Who were the tax collectors whom Jesus mentioned?  Tax collectors were detestable to the Jews during the Roman occupation. The reason was because tax collectors were fellow Jewish people who contracted with the Roman authorities to  collect the Roman tribute and were therefore considered traitors by their countrymen. Furthermore, with Roman authority tax collectors were free to keep any additional revenue over and above the taxes due to the Roman government and many tax collectors abused their authority and got rich from extortion.  

Who were the Gentiles whom Jesus mentioned?  Jews of Jesus’ day considered themselves a special family of people that God Himself had chosen to give His laws. Gentiles were anyone who was not of full Jewish descent and culturally regarded to some degree as inferior because they were not a part of God’s chosen people.

Jesus commands us to demonstrate agape love to the people around us, even to our enemies.  Agape love is manifest in meeting the basic needs of people such as food, water, shelter, clothing, security, education and perhaps several others.  Jesus’ command to supply these needs to those around us is often interpreted only in the context of contributing to charity. However, there are many other ways to provide the necessities of life to the people around us.  For instance, employment is the major avenue most of us are supplied with these needs. Therefore, businesses which provide employment and services that facilitate employment or contribute to these basic needs fulfill, at least partially, Jesus’ command to love. 

PERSONAL APPLICATION: 

The most basic needs of people everywhere are the same.  My attitudes and actions must not deny my neighbor or even my enemy access to the resources to meet those needs. Regarding basic needs my attitude and actions are to be equally inclusive. Therefore, I must constantly reevaluate my personal and political philosophies and actions to ensure I am supporting and demonstrating love to all in an appropriate way.  

© 2018 Christopher Carlson

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB

19 “…love your enemies and pray…”

Matthew Sermon on the Mount 2 Comments

Jesus’ command to “Love you enemies,”  was radically different from what the people of Israel had been taught up until that time.

COMMAND 19:  “…love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…”

REFERENCE:  Mt 5:44 also Lk 6:27-28, 35
RECIPIENT:   To the disciples in the hearing of the crowds on the mountain

Mt 5:1-2 When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him.  2He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying…

CONTEXT: A continuation of the Sermon on the Mount

Mt 5:38-43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘AN EYE FOR AN EYE, AND A TOOTH FOR A TOOTH.’  39But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.  40If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also.  41Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two.  42Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you.”
43“You have heard that it was said, `YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR and hate your enemy.”    

Similar context in Lk 6:24-34

COMMAND FULL TEXT:

Mt 5:44  “But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…”

Lk 6:27b-28 “…love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. “

Lk 6:35a “But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return…:”

RESULT:  

Mt 5:45 “…so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on {the} evil and {the} good, and sends rain on {the} righteous and {the} unrighteous.”

Mt 7:28-29; 8:1 When Jesus had finished these words, the crowds were amazed at His teaching; 29for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.
1When Jesus came down from the mountain, large crowds followed Him.

Lk 6:35b “…and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men.”

Lk 7:1 When He had completed all His discourse in the hearing of the people, He went to Capernaum.

COMMENT:

Notice the significant difference in the NASB version versus the KJV version below. The difference is due to the fact that the more modern NASB translators had access to more ancient manuscripts than the translators of the KJV in the 1600s and those more ancient manuscripts did not include the additional words.  Of course there is controversy regarding which translation is correct. Either way, the overall meaning of the verse is not changed substantially.

KJV Mt 5:44 “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;”

NASB Mt 5:44 “But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,”

Other relevant verses:

Psalms 109 is a prayer of King David.  It is a good example of the radical difference of what Jesus was saying to the people of Israel and what they had been taught as acceptable up until that time.

Ps 109:1-9+ For the choir director. A Psalm of David. O God of my praise, Do not be silent!  2For they have opened the wicked and deceitful mouth against me; They have spoken against me with a lying tongue.  3They have also surrounded me with words of hatred, And fought against me without cause.  4In return for my love they act as my accusers; But I am in prayer.  5Thus they have repaid me evil for good And hatred for my love.  6Appoint a wicked man over him, And let an accuser stand at his right hand.  7When he is judged, let him come forth guilty, And let his prayer become sin.  8Let his days be few; Let another take his office.  9Let his children be fatherless And his wife a widow…  King David’s prayer continues on.  

Comparing King David’s prayer with the teachings of Jesus’ disciples below shows an incredible contrast of attitude.

Ro 12:17-19 Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men.  18If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. 19Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath {of God,} for it is written, “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY,” says the Lord.

1T 5:15 See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people.

1 P 2:12 Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe {them,} glorify God in the day of visitation.

1 P 3:11 “HE MUST TURN AWAY FROM EVIL AND DO GOOD; HE MUST SEEK PEACE AND PURSUE IT.

DEFINITIONS:  Key Greek Words – Removes ambiguity of the Bible text.

love:   G25  ἀγαπάω  ag-ap-ah’-ō  — love as a decision that meets basic needs (as a parent loves his or her children with food, shelter, instruction, etcetera)

enemies:  G2190 ἐχθρός  ekh-thros  — an adversary

persecute:  G1377  διώκω  dee-ō-kō  —  to pursue

bless:  G2127 εὐλογέω   yoo-log-eh’-ō  — speak well of, praise

curse:  G2672  καταράομαι  kat-ar-ah’-om-ahee  — to curse

do good:  G4160 G2573   ποιέω   καλῶς  poy-eh’-ō  kal-oce’  — make (or do) well

hating:    G3404  μισέω  mis-eh’-ō  — to detest (especially to persecute)

mistreat:  G1908  ἐπηρεάζω   ep-ay-reh-ad’-zō  — to insult, slander

PERSONAL APPLICATION: 

Demonstrate love to your enemies as best you can and within the context of the situation. If possible take thought to place yourself in their position and to consider kindness to open an opportunity for reconciliation. In other word, graciousness and patience are admirable character qualities whereas anger and vengeance are not.

© 2018 Christopher Carlson

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB

18 “Give…, and do not turn away…”

Matthew Sermon on the Mount 4 Comments

Command 18 “Give to him who asks…, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow …”

REFERENCE:  Mt 5:42; also Lk 6:30

 

RECIPIENT:   To the disciples in the hearing of the crowds on the mountain,

Mt 5:1-2 When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him.  2He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying…

CONTEXT:  A continuation of the Sermon on the Mount:  This command comes at the end of the paragraph:  

Mt 5:38-41 “You have heard that it was said, ‘AN EYE FOR AN EYE, AND A TOOTH FOR A TOOTH.’  39But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.   40If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also.  41Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two.”

COMMAND FULL TEXT:

Mt 5:42 “Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you.”

Lk 6:30 “Give to everyone who asks of you, and whoever takes away what is yours, do not demand it back.”

RESULT:   No stated result except for two chapters later when Jesus came down from the mountain,

Mt 7:28-29; 8:1 When Jesus had finished these words, the crowds were amazed at His teaching; 29for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.
1When Jesus came down from the mountain, large crowds followed Him.

COMMENT:   Luke 6 adds a twist in the narrative to not demand back what someone has taken from you.  

This twist is in the context of someone who borrowed something. Jesus is saying do not ask for it again (demand it back).  I hate it when someone does not return what they’ve borrowed from me, and I certainly don’t want to be that guy who doesn’t return things that I borrow!  Its important to be careful who I let borrow what.

There are lots of Bible verses supporting and bounding the command to give and to lend:

If a Jewish person was lending to a Jewish person

Ex 22:25   “If you lend money to My people, to the poor among you, you are not to act as a creditor to him; you shall not charge him interest.

Regarding the Nation of Israel and personal giving to a fellow Jewish person

Dt 15:6-10 “For the LORD your God will bless you as He has promised you, and you will lend to many nations, but you will not borrow; and you will rule over many nations, but they will not rule over you.

7“If there is a poor man with you, one of your brothers, in any of your towns in your land which the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart, nor close your hand from your poor brother; 8but you shall freely open your hand to him, and shall generously lend him sufficient for his need in whatever he lacks.  9“Beware that there is no base thought in your heart, saying, ‘The seventh year, the year of remission, is near,’ and your eye is hostile toward your poor brother, and you give him nothing; then he may cry to the LORD against you, and it will be a sin in you.  10“You shall generously give to him, and your heart shall not be grieved when you give to him, because for this thing the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in all your undertakings.

Regarding the Nation of Israel

Dt 28:12 “The LORD will open for you His good storehouse, the heavens, to give rain to your land in its season and to bless all the work of your hand; and you shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow.

Ps 37:21 The wicked borrows and does not pay back, But the righteous is gracious and gives.

Ps 37:25-26 I have been young and now I am old, Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken Or his descendants begging bread.  26All day long he is gracious and lends, And his descendants are a blessing.

Ps 112:5 It is well with the man who is gracious and lends; He will maintain his cause in judgment.

Proverbs was written by King Solomon, the man that the Bible says was the wisest man who ever lived

Pr 22:7 The rich rules over the poor, And the borrower {becomes} the lender’s slave.

Pr 30:15 The leech has two daughters, “Give,” “Give.” There are three things that will not be satisfied, Four that will not say, “Enough”:

Jesus talks about giving

Mt 6:1-4 “Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven.  2So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.  3But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,  4so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees {what is done} in secret will reward you.”

Lk 6:34-35 “If you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners in order to receive back the same amount.  35But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men.”

Christian Apostles Peter and John had no money to give but gave to this man what they could

Ac 3:2-7 And a man who had been lame from his mother’s womb was being carried along, whom they used to set down every day at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, in order to beg alms of those who were entering the temple.

3 When he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple, he {began} asking to receive alms…   6But Peter said, “I do not possess silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene–walk!”  7And seizing him by the right hand, he raised him up; and immediately his feet and his ankles were strengthened. With a leap he stood upright and {began} to walk; and he entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God.

DEFINITIONS:  Key Greek Words

give:  G1325   δίδωμι   did’-ō -mee  — A primary verb: to give

turn away:  G654  ἀποστρέφω  ap-os-tref’-ō  — to turn away or back

GENERAL APPLICATION:  Change your attitude!  Within your means give freely to those who ask while expecting nothing in return. Likewise within your means, consider allowing people to borrow from you for their needs with only modest or no interest.  In this way you will be a blessing to many.

 

© 2018 Christopher Carlson

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB

17 “…go with him two.”

Matthew Sermon on the Mount No Comments

A Roman soldier had authority to press a subject into service to carry his gear up to a thousand paces. This command of Jesus is about my disdain for authority.

COMMAND 17: ”…go with him two.”
REFERENCE:  Mt 5:41

 

RECIPIENT:   To the disciples in the hearing of the crowds on the mountain

Mt 5:1-2 When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him. 2He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying…

CONTEXT: A continuation of the Sermon on the Mount 

Mt 5:38-40 “You have heard that it was said, ‘AN EYE FOR AN EYE, AND A TOOTH FOR A TOOTH.’  39But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.  40If anyone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak also.”

COMMAND FULL TEXT:  Mt 5:41 “Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two.”

 

RESULT:   No stated result except for two chapters later when Jesus came down from the mountain

Mt 7:28-29; 8:1 When Jesus had finished these words, the crowds were amazed at His teaching; 29for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.
1When Jesus came down from the mountain, large crowds followed Him.

COMMENT:  The saying, ‘AN EYE FOR AN EYE, AND A TOOTH FOR A TOOTH,’ comes from Old Testament Law in the context of judicial investigation and judgment

Ex 21:23-25  “But if there is any further injury, then you shall appoint as a penalty life for life,  24eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot,  25burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise.

Lv 24:19-20 ‘If a man injures his neighbor, just as he has done, so it shall be done to him:  20fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth; just as he has injured a man, so it shall be inflicted on him.

Dt 19:18-21 “The judges shall investigate thoroughly, and if the witness is a false witness and he has accused his brother falsely, 19then you shall do to him just as he had intended to do to his brother. Thus you shall purge the evil from among you.  20“The rest will hear and be afraid, and will never again do such an evil thing among you. 21“Thus you shall not show pity: life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.

Don’t misconstrue this command to think Jesus is telling His followers that they must do whatever anyone tells them to do and more.  A Roman soldier had authority to press a subject into service such as when Simon of Cyrene was pressed into service to carry Jesus’ cross in Matthew 27:32. This command  speaks about my personal attitude, highlighting what seems to be a natural contempt or disdain for authority.

DEFINITIONS:  Key Greek Words

forces:  G29 ἀγγαρεύω  ang-ar-yew’-ō  — properly to be a courier, that is, (by implication) to press into public service

go:  G5217 ὑπάγω  hoop-ag’-ō   — to lead (oneself) under, that is, withdraw or retire (as if sinking out of sight

mile: G3400  μίλιον  mil’-ee-on  — a thousand paces

PERSONAL APPLICATION: If someone in authority orders me to do something that is within their authority, generously do that something.

 

© 2018 Christopher Carlson

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB

Please share a comment, question or perhaps another application for this command of Jesus.

16 “…let him have your cloak also.”

Matthew Sermon on the Mount 2 Comments

Give him my cloak too?  Does Jesus mean that I should give away all my possessions to bullies?!

Command 16: “…let him have your cloak also.”

REFERENCE:  

Mt 5:40  also Lk 6:29

RECIPIENT:   To the disciples in the hearing of the crowds on the mountain

Mt 5:1-2 When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him.  2He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying,

CONTEXT: A continuation of the Sermon on the Mount 

Mt 5:38-39 “You have heard that it was said, ‘AN EYE FOR AN EYE, AND A TOOTH FOR A TOOTH.‘  39But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.”

COMMAND FULL TEXT:  

Mt 5:40 “If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also.”

RESULT:  

No stated result except for two chapters later when Jesus came down from the mountain

Mt 7:28-29; 8:1 When Jesus had finished these words, the crowds were amazed at His teaching; 29for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.
1When Jesus came down from the mountain, large crowds followed Him.

COMMENT:  

The saying, ‘AN EYE FOR AN EYE, AND A TOOTH FOR A TOOTH,’ comes from Old Testament law (Ex 21:23-25, Lv 24:19-20, Dt 19:18-21).  In the previous post (BLOG 14 & 15) I pointed out that the context was of judicial proceedings but the saying was being misapplied to personal attitudes.  This command is about the threat of imminent judicial ruling and again has implications about personal attitude.

There is no indication that this opponent is going to law unrighteously.  There are a few potential implications if I’ve wronged someone:

1.  My attitude should be humble and not defensive.
2.  I should more than satisfy the restitution I owe.

If however, your opponent is going to court using lies, deceit or forgeries against you, consider the cost of going to court in a counter-suit to recover what is rightfully yours. Worse damage may be done to your family and fortune if you pursue the counter-suit.  It might be better to simply buy another coat and shirt and be at peace with the matter. Jesus did not mention what to do if your opponent was demanding your house or business. These items matter to your family and livelihood and you might need to approach such a problem differently.

DEFINITIONS:  Key Greek Words

sue:  G2919  κρίνω  kree’-nō   —  Properly to distinguish, that is, decide (mentally or judicially); by implication to try, condemn, punish

take:  G2983  λαμβάνω  lam-ban’-ō  — A primary verb:  to take

have:  G863  ἀφίημι  af-ee’-ay-mee  — To send forth

PERSONAL APPLICATION: 

 If I’ve wronged someone, my attitude toward them should be humble.  I should more than satisfy my debt to them.

© 2018 Christopher Carlson

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB

Please share a comment, question or perhaps another application for this command of Jesus.

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