Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 7:7-12
The disciple’s relationship to God 7:7-12This section of verses brings the main body of the Sermon to a climactic conclusion. read more
The disciple’s relationship to God 7:7-12This section of verses brings the main body of the Sermon to a climactic conclusion. read more
7:7 Ask (c-1) Aiteo , used for supplication. see Note, John 14:16 . read more
The Sermon on the Mount (concluded)The connexion of thought in this chapter is less close than in the earlier part of the sermon, and the whole chapter bears the appearance of an appendix of miscellaneous practical maxims, many of which, however, may have really formed part of the sermon. The words about rash judgment, and about a tree being known by its fruit, as well as the striking conclusion, are found also in St. Luke’s sermon.1-5. On the habit of criticising others (Luke 6:37-42). St.... read more
(7) Ask, and it shall be given.—The transition is again abrupt, and suggests the idea that some links are missing. The latent sequence of thought would seem to be this, “If the work of reforming others and ourselves,” men might say, “is so difficult, how shall we dare to enter on it? Where shall we find the courage and the wisdom which we need?” And the answer is, In prayer for those gifts.Here, once more, the words are absolute and unqualified, and yet are clearly limited by implied... read more
Matthew 7:1 'Next week, it is still but the 10th of April, there comes a new nineteen' to the guillotine; 'Chaumette, Gobel, Hébert's widow, the widow of Camille: these also roll their fated journey; black Death devours them.... For Anaxagoras Chaumette, the sleek head now stripped of its bonnet rouge , what hope is there? Unless Death were "an eternal sleep"? Wretched Anaxagoras, God shall judge thee, not I. Carlyle, French Revolution, Vol. III. book vi. chap. iii. For myself, I no more... read more
Chapter 7The Gospel of the Kingdom("Sermon on the Mount") - Matthew 5:1-48; Matthew 6:1-34; Matthew 7:1-29IT may seem almost heresy to object to the time-honoured title "Sermon on the Mount"; yet, so small has the word "sermon" become, on account of its application to those productions of which there is material for a dozen in single sentences of this great discourse, that there is danger of belittling it by the use of a title which suggests even the remotest relationship to these ephemeral... read more
CHAPTER 7 1. The Judgment of Righteousness.(Matthew 7:1-14 .) 2. Warning against False Prophets.( Matthew 7:15-20 .) 3. Warning against False Professors. (Matthew 7:21-29 .) The chapter which follows contains the last words of the great discourse of our Lord. The contents of this chapter are very instructive and form a most fitting end of the declaration of the King. The first few verses contain a warning against judging. We have in the beginning of the chapter something which is... read more
7:7 {3} Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:(3) Prayers are a sure refuge in all miseries. read more
Simple honesty will understand these first five verses without difficulty. The word "judge" is used in various different ways in Scripture. Believers are told to "judge" what Paul says (1 Corinthians 10:15), that is, to discern for themselves what is right. The assembly is told to "judge them that are within" (1 Corinthians 5:12), which involves administering righteously and maintaining proper order in the church. In certain cases therefore we are responsible to judge. But here the Lord... read more
Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 7:7-8
In view of such hard opposition Jesus’ disciples need to pray for God’s help. He will always respond positively to their words, though others may reject them (Matthew 7:6). Still, their petitions must be for His glory rather than for selfish ends (cf. James 4:2-3). All that the disciple needs to serve Jesus Christ successfully is available for the asking."Jesus’ disciples will pray (’ask’) with earnest sincerity (’seek’) and active, diligent pursuit of God’s way (’knock’). Like a human father,... read more