Matthew 7:1-4

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

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 7:1

Judge not ... - This command refers to rash, censorious, and unjust judgment. See Romans 2:1. Luke Luke 6:37 explains it in the sense of “condemning.” Christ does not condemn judging as a magistrate, for that, when according to justice, is lawful and necessary. Nor does he condemn our “forming an opinion” of the conduct of others, for it is impossible “not” to form an opinion of conduct that we know to be evil. But what he refers to is a habit of forming a judgment hastily, harshly, and without... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 7:2

With what judgment ... - This was a proverb among the Jews. It expressed a truth; and Christ did not hesitate to adopt it as conveying his own sentiments. It refers no less to the way in which people will judge of us, than to the rule by which God will judge us. See 2 Samuel 22:27; Mark 4:24; James 2:13.Mete - Measure. You shall be judged by the same rule which you apply to others. read more

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