Matthew 7

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 7:1-20

Various practical rules issuing out of the central duty of self-consecration. I. CONDUCT TOWARDS OTHERS . 1 . Gentleness in our estimate of the lives of others. The hypocrites trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others; they made an ostentatious display of their own supposed good deeds, and passed stern judgments on their neighbours. The righteousness of Christ's disciples must exceed that of the Pharisees in both respects. Indeed, Christ's words must not... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 7:2

Parallels to the second clause in Luke 6:38 and Mark 4:24 , For . Explanatory of" that ye be not judged." The principle of your own judgment will be applied in turn to yourselves. With what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. The judgment ( κρίμα ) is the verdict; the measure is the severity or otherwise of the verdict. In both clauses the passives refer to judgment by God, as is even more clear in Mark 4:24 .... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 7:3

Parallel passage: Luke 6:41 . And why —when it is so contrary to common sense— beholdest thou the mote, etc.? A Jewish proverbial saying, e.g. Talm. Bab., 'Bab. Bathra,' 15b, Rabbi Jochanan (third century A.D.),expounding Ruth 1:1 , says, "A generation which when under judgment ( טפשנש ) judgeth its judges. When one saith to a man, Cast out the mote out of thine eyes, he saith (in answer), Cast out the beam out of thine eyes." In Talm. Bab., 'Erach.,' 16 b , "Out of thy teeth"... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 7:3

Honest self-estimates. It is plain that our Lord's figure is paradoxical. Beams of wood in eyes is quite an impossible conception; and when he spoke of it it must have caused a smile. With a curious realism, the old Bible picture represents a man with a long beam of wood, standing straight out from his eye, and unsupported. Our Lord's teachings require to be read with our faculty of imagination in healthy activity. Probably in this case our Lord used a familiar Jewish proverb, which... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 7:3-5

The heinousness of censoriousness as a hindrance to one's self and to one's work for others. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 7:3-5

The confronting question. The question or questions of these verses arise only too directly out of the matter that immediately precedes. The habit, so human, of sitting in judgment on our fellow-beings is almost invariably aggravated by' other satellite habits, also very human, and that fail to amaze and to shame us only by reason of our too intimate familiarity with them. Thus— I. LITTLE FAULTS IN OTHERS WE SEE VERY LARGE , AND LARGE FAULTS IN OURSELVES WE ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 7:4

Parallel passage: Luke 6:42 . Or . A second case is supposed. You may only see the mote or you may offer to remove it. How; with any conscience. Wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out? Let me ( ἄφες , Luke 3:15 ). There is nothing here of the rudeness that so often accompanies censeriousness. Pull out ; Revised Version, cast out ( ἐκβάλω ). The thought is of the completeness, not the method, of the removal (of. Matthew 9:38 ). A beam; the beam (Revised... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 7:4-6

Reproving. This is kindred to judging, and so these are here closely associated. The Duty of reproving should be discharged with discretion. I. THE REPROVING OF A BROTHER SHOULD BE CONSIDERATE . 1 . Reproof is a precious and holy thing. (a) Saves souls from death (see James 5:19 , James 5:20 ). (b) Frees our souls from the guilt of complicity. (c) Leaves the sinner without excuse. So the fidelity of Noah condemned the antediluvians ( Hebrews 11:7 ). ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 7:5

Parallel passage: Luke 6:42 . Thou hypocrite ( Matthew 6:2 , note). The thought here is of the personation of a part (a man free from impediment in his vision)which does not belong to you. First cast out the beam out of thine own eye, In Luke 6:3 the order of the words lays the emphasis on "thine;" here, on the eye. It is in thine eye, of all places, that the beam now is. And then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye . Surely a promise as well as a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 7:6

Matthew only. Give not that which is holy, etc. While you are not to be censorious towards brethren (verses 1-5), you must recognize the great and fundamental differences that there are between men. You must not treat those who are mere dogs and swine as if they were able to appreciate either the holiness or the beauty and wealth of spiritual truth. Give Observe that "give," "cast," are naturally used of feeding dogs and swine respectively. That which is holy ( τὸ ἅγιον ) . The... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 7:1-20

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 7:2

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 7:3

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 7:3

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 7:3-5

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 7:3-5

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 7:4

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 7:4-6

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 7:5

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 7:6

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