Matthew 7:1-12 - Exposition

(2) As anxiety about the things of this life hinders us Godwards ( Matthew 6:19-34 ), so does censoriousness manwards ( Matthew 7:1-12 ), our Lord thus tacitly opposing two typically Jewish faults. Censoriousness—the personal danger of having it ( Matthew 7:1 , Matthew 7:2 ), its seriousness as a sign of ignorance and as a hindrance to spiritual vision ( Matthew 7:3-5 ), even though there must be a recognition of great moral differences ( Matthew 7:6 ). Grace to overcome it and to exercise judgment rightly can be obtained by prayer ( Matthew 7:7-11 ), the secret of overcoming being found in treating others as one would like to be treated one's self ( Matthew 7:12 ).