Matthew 7

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

Verse 7 Matthew 7:7.Ask, and it shall be given you It is an exhortation to prayer: and as in this exercise of religion, which ought to be our first concern, we are so careless and sluggish, Christ presses the same thing upon us under three forms of expression. There is no superfluity of language, when he says, Ask, seek, knock: but lest the simple doctrine should be unimpressive, he perseveres in order to rouse us from our inactivity. Such is also the design of the promises that are added, Ye... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 7:8

Verse 8 8.For every one that asketh receiveth Some think that this is a proverbial saying taken from common life: but I am more inclined to a different view. Christ presents the grace of his Father to those who pray. He tells us, that God is of himself prepared to listen to us, provided we pray to him, and that his riches are at our command, provided we ask them. These words imply, that those who are destitute of what is necessary, and yet do not resort to this remedy for their poverty, are... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 7:9

Verse 9 9.Is there any man among you? It is a comparison from the less to the greater. First, our Lord contrasts the malice of men with the boundless goodness of God. Self-love ( φιλαυτία) renders us malicious: for every man is too much devoted to himself, and neglects and disregards others. But this vice yields to the stronger feelings of a father’s love, so that men forget themselves, and give to their children with overflowing liberality. Whence comes this, but because God, of whom the whole... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 7:11

Verse 11 11.Your Father will give good things This is expressly mentioned by Christ, that believers may not give way to foolish and improper desires in prayer. We know how great influence, in this respect, is exerted by the excesses and presumption of our flesh. There is nothing which we do not allow ourselves to ask from God; and if he does not humor our folly, we exclaim against him. Christ therefore enjoins us to submit our desires to the will of God, that he may give us nothing more than he... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 7:12

Verse 12 Matthew 7:12.All things whatsoever you would wish The word therefore ( οὖν) is superfluous, as we often find such particles occurring, and without any addition to the sense, in detached sentences. (467) I have already said, that Matthew does not give here a single discourse, but a summary of doctrine collected out of many sermons. We must, therefore, read this sentence by itself. It is an exhortation to his disciples to be just, and contains a short and simple definition of what... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 7:13

Verse 13 13.Enter in by the strait gate As nothing is more opposed to the flesh than the doctrine of Christ, no man will ever make great proficiency in it who has not learned to confine his senses and feelings, so as to keep them within those boundaries, which our heavenly Teacher prescribes for curbing our wantonness. As men willingly flatter themselves, and live in gaiety and dissipation, Christ here reminds his disciples, that they must prepare to walk, as it were, along a narrow and thorny... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 7:15

Verse 15 Matthew 7:15.But beware of false prophets These words were intended to teach, that the Church would be exposed to various impositions, and that consequently many would be in danger of falling from the faith, if they were not carefully on their guard. We know what a strong propensity men have to falsehood, so that they not only have a natural desire to be deceived, but each individual appears to be ingenious in deceiving himself. Satan, who is a wonderful contriver of delusions, is... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 7:16

Verse 16 16.From their fruits you shall know them Had not this mark of distinction been added, we might have called in question the authority of all teachers without exception. If there is a mortal danger to be dreaded in teachers, and if we see no way of avoiding it, we shall be under the necessity of holding them all suspected: and there will be no better or shorter method than to keep our ears shut against them all. We see that ungodly men, to screen themselves when rejecting every kind of... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 7:21

Verse 21 Matthew 7:21.Not every one that saith to me, Lord, Lord. Christ extends his discourse farther: for he speaks not only of false prophets, who rush upon the flock to tear and devour, but of hirelings, who insinuate themselves, under fair appearances, as pastors, though they have no feeling of piety. (478) This doctrine embraces all hypocrites, whatever may be their rank or station, but at present he refers particularly to pretended teachers, (479) who seem to excel others. He not only... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 7:22

Verse 22 22.Many will say to me Christ again summons hypocrites to his judgment-seat, as we showed a little ago from Luke. So long as they hold a place in his Church, they both flatter themselves and deceive others. He therefore declares, that a day is coming, when he will cleanse his barn, and separate the chaff and straw from the pure wheat. To prophesy in the name of Christ is, to discharge the office of teacher by his authority, and, as it were, under his direction. Prophecy is here, I... read more

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

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 7:8

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 7:9

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 7:11

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 7:12

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 7:13

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 7:15

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 7:16

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 7:21

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 7:22

Verse of the Day

Daily Devotional

Group of Brands