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John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 7:23

Verse 23 23.And then will I confess to them (482) By using the word ὁμολογήσω , I will confess, (483) Christ appears to allude to the vain boasting, by which hypocrites now vaunt themselves. “ They indeed have confessed me with the tongue, and imagine that they have fully discharged their duty. The confession of my name is now heard aloud from their tongue. But I too will confess on the opposite side, that their profession is deceitful and false.” And what is contained in Christ’s confession?... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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 7:13-20

Two ways. The course of human action is in Scripture called a way. Of these there are two—the right and wrong, the good and the evil. There is no intermediate way. Here we have— I. THE WAY OF DEATH . 1 . It is broad. 2 . Its gate is wide. 3 . Its company is large. 4 . Its end is destruction. II. THE WAY OF LIFE . 1 . It is strait. 2 . Its gate is narrow. 3 . The company is select. 4 . Its end is life. III. WHICH... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 7:13-27

(4) Epilogue (cf. Matthew 5:3 , note). Dare to take up this position, which has been laid down in Mt 5:21-7:12, involving though it must separation from the majority of men ( Matthew 7:13 , Matthew 7:14 ); and this notwithstanding the claim of others to reveal the Lord's mind, whose true nature, however, you shall perceive from their actions ( Matthew 7:15-20 ); they that work iniquity have neither present nor future union with me ( Matthew 7:21-23 ). Finally a solemn warning ( ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 7:15-20

The tree and its fruit. It is not enough for Christ to spread his own wholesome teaching; he must warn against the dangerous influence of bad teachers. Later in his ministry he had occasion to speak of the pretended shepherds, who were really thieves, or at best hirelings ( John 10:10 , John 10:12 ). Here his reference to the tree and its fruit is meant to be applied to the teacher and his work. It shows that he expects people to be watchful over those who assume to be their instructors.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 7:15-20

The branded false prophets. This passage brings us to the last but one of the great typical admonitions of this primaeval discourse in Christian ethics. Typical they must surely be regarded. Nor, as we scan them with ever so jealous eye, do we find it at all easy to make comparisons as to any imagined relative temporariness of application belonging to them, or the reverse. But if, on the contrary, we suffered ourselves for a moment to be the victims of mere plausible impression, and to court... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 7:15-23

Matthew only in this form, though most of the separate verses have much matter common to other passages; viz.: verses 16, 18, parallel with Luke 6:43 , Luke 6:44 , cf. also infra , Matthew 12:33 ; Matthew 12:19 , cf. Matthew 3:10 ; verse 21, cf. Luke 6:46 ; Luke 6:22 , cf. Luke 13:26 ; Luke 13:23 , parallel with Luke 13:27 . (For the connexion of these verses, cf. Luke 13:13 , note.) read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 7:15-29

Sermon on the mount: 8. Wise and foolish builders. The righteousness required in God ' s kingdom is the subject of our Lord's teaching in this sermon. After contrasting this with various spurious forms of righteousness, he shows the ruin that results from false pretensions. This he does by means of three figures: 1 . The mere pretender is like a wolf in sheep's clothing; you cannot turn a wolf into a sheep by merely putting on it from the outside a fleece. 2 . Or he is like a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 7:18

Parallel passage: Luke 6:43 (cf. also infra , Matthew 12:33 ). A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. This correspondence of external product to internal character is necessary. It cannot (emphatic) be otherwise. It' the heart is good, good results follow; therefore, he implies, if good results are not seen in these "false prophets," it is because of their real character. A bad life cannot but spring from a worthless heart. Of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 7:19

Matthew only (cf. Matthew 3:10 , vide infra ) . Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire . A parenthesis expressing the terrible fate of those the general product (verse 16, note) of whose life is not good. Christ will warn his followers plainly against listening to them. Observe that the form of the sentence ( πᾶν δένδρον μὴ ποιοῦν καρπόν , κ .τ.λ. ) implies that all trees will be cut down unless there is a reason for the... read more

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