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Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 6:1-18

The relation of our Lord and his disciples to the religion of the day ( continued ); vide Matthew 5:17 , note. ( b ) Our Lord turns from cases which could be directly deduced from the Law to those which belonged only to recognized religious duty. Of these he instances three: alms ( Matthew 5:2-4 ), prayer ( Matthew 5:5-8 , Matthew 5:9-15 ), fasting ( Matthew 5:16-18 ). It is, indeed, true that the performance of these duties on special occasions was implied in the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 6:1-18

The third part of the sermon: the danger of unreality. I. THE FIRST EXAMPLE : ALMSGIVING . 1. The spiritual estimate of actions. The Christian's righteousness must exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees. They did their righteousness, their good works, before men, to be seen of them. It must not be so with us. Indeed, we are bidden to let our light shine before men. A holy life hath a persuasive eloquence, more persuasive far than holy words; it must not be hidden; its... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 6:1-18

Sermon on the mount: 4. Ostentatious religion. After indicating the righteousness which admits to the kingdom of heaven, our Lord proceeds to warn against a flaw that vitiates the goodness of many religious people, and to illustrate it in connection with three chief characteristics of the religious life of those days—alms-giving, prayer, and fasting. I. ALMSGIVING has been recognized as one of the first duties by most religions. Under the Jewish Law the poor were well provided for. It... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 6:9

After this manner therefore . Therefore ; in contrast to the heathen practice, and in the full confidence which you have in your almighty Father's intuitive knowledge of your needs. After this manner ( οὕτως ) . Not "in these words;" but he will most closely imitate the manner who most often reminds himself of it by using the words. Pray ye . "Ye" emphatic—ye my disciples; ye the children of such a Father. Our Father . In English we just lack the power to keep, with a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 6:9

As to the manner of prayer. The occasion was one in which our Lord knew that the teaching of his lips would be best brought home to the mind by an example to illustrate his meaning. What a sequel that example of prayer has itself had! and what fruitfulness it has had in teaching the "manner of prayer"! This "manner" taught by our Lord gives us first a name, or title, by which to address God in prayer. In this notice— I. THE GRACIOUS AUTHORITY IT GIVES TO THE CREATURE , ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 6:9-10

The Lord's Prayer (part 1). In the Gospel of Luke this prayer is given in still briefer form. The occasion there was that the disciples, after the Lord had prayed, said to him, "Lord teach us to pray, even as John also taught his disciples. And he said unto them, When ye pray, say. " Here, however, "After this manner pray ye." The use of forms is sanctioned; so is extemporary prayer. Better a " form of sound words" than no family worship. Consider— I. THE ADDRESS TO ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 6:9-13

The pattern of prayer. Parallel passage: Luke 11:2-4 . For most suggestive remarks on the Lord's Prayer, both generally and in its greater difficulties of detail, compare by all means Chase, 'The Lord's Prayer in the Early Church:' (Cambridge Texts and Studies). Observe: (a) St. Matthew's words, "Forgive us our debts," represent an older, because parabolic, form of expression than the apparently interpretative "Forgive us our sins" in St. Luke. (b) St. Matthew's words, "as we... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 6:9-13

The dualities of the Lord's Prayer. Of this prayer Ward Beecher says, "One knows not which most to admire in this form—its loftiness of spirit, its comprehensiveness, its brevity, its simplicity, or its union of human and Divine elements. All prayer may be said to have crystallized in this prayer. The Church has worn it for hundreds of years upon her bosom, as the brightest gem of devotion." Forms of devotion seem to have been provided by the ecclesiastical rulers. New forms had been given... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 6:9-15

The Lord's Prayer. This is the model prayer. It is not simply one form of prayer intended to supersede all others, or to take its place among prayers of a different character. It is the type and pattern of all prayer. "After this manner therefore pray ye." Let us note its leading characteristics. I. IN FORM IT IS BRIEF , CLEAR , AND SIMPLE . This is offered in contrast to the vain repetitions of the heathen. It is not the length of a prayer, but the reality of it, that... read more

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