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Matthew Chapter Five

 

I. Content of the Chapter

 

The Sermon on the Mount

  A. The audience and scene of the sermon (v.1-2)

  B. The blessed ones (v.3-12)

  C. The salt of the earth and the light of the world (v.13-16)

  D. Righteousness exceeding that of Scribes and Pharisees (v.17-20)

  E. Five new laws:

      1. The law of murder (v.21-26)

      2. The law of adultery (v.27-32)

      3. The law of perjury (v.33-37)

      4. The law of retaliation (v.38-42)

      5. The law of love (v.43-47)

  F. Be perfect just as your Father in the heaven is perfect (v.48)

 

II. Verse by Verse commentary

 

Matt. 5:1 “And seeing the multitudes He went up on a mountain and when He was seated His disciples came to Him.

   YLT: “And having seen the multitudes he went up to the mount and he having sat down his disciples came to him

   Meaning of Words: “disciples”: learner pupil.

   Literal Meaning: “the multitudes”: the crowd. They followed the Lord with the aim of seeing signs for their curiosity being healed of diseases (Luke. 6:17-19) or eating of the loaves and being filled (John. 6:24-26) and pressed on the Lord Jesus (Mark. 5:31).

  “He went up on a mountain” Climbing the mountain is strenuous and laborious. Thereby the Lord Jesus put aside those who did not intend to hear His sermon.

  “He was seated” It is the posture that a rabbi used to teach his disciples showing the authority of teacher.

  “Disciples” are those who followed the Lord with their hearts and they are willing to be trained and chastened by Him.

  “Came to Him”: draw near to the Lord.

   Spiritual Meaning: “He went up on a mountain and was seated” It symbolizes that Christ was highly exalted taken up into heaven and sat down on the throne. “The disciples coming to Him” declares that the followers of the Lord enter into the heavenly scene and have face-to-face fellowship with the Lord.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) To those who followed the Lord only for signs and miracles the Lord Himself did not trust Himself to them because He knew what was in man (John. 2:24-25).

2) If we want to receive the revelations of the Lord we should do our utmost and lay aside sin which so easily entangles us (Heb.12:1) and run and climb into the heavenly scene.

3) Draw near to God and He will draw near to you (James. 4:8).

4) A disciple of the Lord should not hope to live a comfortable life. Only those who are willingly trained and taught by the Lord can become useful vessels in the hand of the Lord.

        

Matt. 5:2 “Then He opened His mouth and taught them saying:

   YLT: and having opened his mouth he was teaching them saying:

   Literal Meaning: “them” The audience taught by the Lord were not the crowd but those who followed Him with hearts to the mountain and came to Him (see v.1).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Anyone is not willing to pay price will not receive the words of the Lord. Though seeing they do not see hearing they do not hear nor understand (Matt. 13:10-16).

2) The intimate fellowship with the Lord in heavenly scene and the receiving of words of the Lord (“He opened His mouth and taught them”) are impulsion of the citizens of the kingdom of heaven to comply with the heavenly demands.

        

Matt. 5:3Blessed are the poor in spirit For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

   YLT: `Happy the poor in spirit -- because theirs is the reign of the heavens.

   Meaning of Words: “blessed”: happy supremely blest and meritorious.

   Literal Meaning: “poor in spirit”: vain in the depth of spirit. Everything in this life could not satisfy one therefore he turns to God to seek for God and things of God.

  “Blessed”: the joy welling from inner heart. One feels greatly happy and fortunate.

  “There is the kingdom of heaven.” The present tense of the verb “is” shows that they now live in the region of the kingdom of heaven and experience the reality of the kingdom of heaven because they abandon the vanity of the earthliness and turn to seek for heavenly things.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) It is not those who repute themselves to be something but those who repute themselves to be nothing that enter into the kingdom of heaven. God sets Himself against proud but to humble gives grace (1Pet. 5:5).

2) In the kingdom of heaven the lord is God instead of us. Therefore what we should do is only to receive from God rather than give to Him.

3) A man of natural talent may be the worst Christian. A man of talent may consider what he can do for God rather than let God do.

4) God uses one who considers himself as poor and talentless. God would not use one who considers himself useful to God.

5) The center of those who serve God should be God instead of them. We should stand on the side of God and should not ask God to stand on our side.

6) The blessed ones whose is the kingdom of heaven have abandoned worldly possessions and completely dealt with the desire of possession in their hearts. They are the poor in spirit.

7) The poor in spirit are not under the power of possessions. They have broken off the yokes which are put upon them by the tyrant------possessions. 

8) The poor in spirit know that they are in need. Therefore they are not proud and in their own eyes not righteous. At the same time for they are in need they will seek for God and draw near to God.

9) Those who gain the kingdom of heaven gain everything and so that they have no desire to gain anything else.

10) No matter how great we achieve in spiritual things we should like Paul not count to have got possession ourselves but stretch out to the things before (Pill. 3:12-13).

11) Only those who are willing to empty themselves constantly will feel poor in spirit. We should empty our past ideas knowledge and opinions and seek to be filled by the Lord Himself.

12) Believers should cooperate with the Holy Spirit every day: letting the Holy Spirit dig out stones in our hearts (sin) and make our hearts humble and contrite (Luke. 8:13). In this way after the seed of God is sown into our heart it will grow up freely and fully.

 

Matt. 5:4 “Blessed are those who mourn For they shall be comforted.

   YLT: `Happy the mourning -- because they shall be comforted.

   Meaning of Words: “mourn”: cry grievously.

   Literal Meaning: “mourn” One mourns when he touches the feelings of God towards the failure of himself the coldness and falling of the saints the desolation of the assembly the evilness and corruptness of the world the hardness and unbelief of men. All these make him grievous deeply.

  “They shall be comforted.” God is of all encouragement (2Cor. 1:3). Therefore those who are comforted gain God Himself and experience various kinds of encouragement of God.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Those who have not mourned will not know what encouragement is. God’s encouragement is real and not merely the word. Only those who have experienced can appreciate it. 

2) Today though we are mournful we are still able to rejoice in the Lord (Pill. 3:1). Moreover in future God will wipe away all tears from our eyes and grief shall not exist any more nor cry shall exist (Rev. 21:4).

3) When the Holy Spirit works in men’s hearts He shines judges and demonstrates. When believers mourn for sins the Holy Spirit gets a chance to work deeply in them and deliver them out of things that are condemned by God.

        

Matt. 5:5 “Blessed are the meek For they shall inherit the earth.

   YLT: `Happy the meek -- because they shall inherit the land.

   Meaning of Words: “meek”: gentle not resist.

   Literal Meaning: “the meek” are those who do not strive for themselves and hold themselves aloof from the world------they stand aloof from the worldly rights and enjoyment.

  “Inherit the land” is to inherit the eternal inheritance of God in the coming age.

Enlightenment in the Word:

   1) The meek not only seek nothing for themselves but also request nothing from others. They are fully satisfied with God’s arrangements. This kind of people not only overcome others but also overcome themselves.

   2) We are sojourners on the earth and we desire a better country that is heavenly (Heb. 11:13). Therefore we do not contend for anything in the world with men.

   3) The one who is willing to take up his cross is truly meek. The one who is not willing to suffer losses in every circumstance is not meek at all.

   4) The meek do not insist on their own right. Therefore seemingly they suffer losses. But actually they are the richest in spirit (“they shall inherit the land”).

   5) Being meek and never hard to God and He can dominate your heart. Then you will go forward in spiritual road and broaden your spiritual experiences. This is inheriting the spiritual boundary------the land. 

 

Matt. 5:6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness For they shall be filled.

   YLT: `Happy those hungering and thirsting for righteousness -- because they shall be filled.

   Literal Meaning: “hunger and thirst for righteousness”: eagerly seek to walk worthily of the righteous demands of God.

  “Be filled”: the eager spirit is satisfied and does not feel regretful.

  Strictly speaking nobody in the world could satisfy the righteous demands of God. Only the Lord Jesus is righteous (1John. 2:1). Therefore the truly hungering and thirsting for righteousness is seeking for the Lord Himself to be our righteousness.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Anyone considers himself righteous will be condemned by the Lord (Luke. 18:9-14). Therefore one should never consider himself righteous and should “hunger and thirst for righteousness”.

2) All the spiritual progress lies in spiritual thirst. Those who are not hungry will never be filled with good things (Luke. 1:53).

3) One hungers and thirsts for righteousness is afraid to be unrighteous in everything and constantly desires to be righteous completely.

4) Men’s knowledge of righteousness grows day by day. One may not do what he thought righteous yesterday.

5) Those that hunger and thirst for righteousness surely have good spiritual appetite. Once men have such spiritual appetite he will be full again and again for God’s recompense (Ruth. 2:12).

        

Matt. 5:7 “Blessed are the merciful For they shall obtain mercy.

   YLT: `Happy the kind -- because they shall find kindness.

Meaning of Words: “mercy”: compassion and sympathy.

   Literal Meaning: “merciful”: showing sympathy and understanding to others and be willing to give others what they do not deserve.

  “Shall obtain mercy”: receive what we do not deserve by God’s compassion and mercy.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) We should be strict to ourselves and be lenient and merciful to others.

2) Whatever we may will that men may be doing to us so also do to them (Matt. 7:12).

3) Getting along with brothers we should be kind one to another tenderhearted forgiving one another (Eph. 4:32). Thus we shall obtain mercy from God.

4) If we remember that we owe God a lot and how greatly we obtain mercy from God we should not care for what others owe us or harshly haggle over them.

5) Today if we show mercy to others surpassing righteousness that day we will obtain mercy surpassing righteousness from God.

6) The moment we see men we will consider them lovely and eagerly long for sharing the grace of the Lord with them. Until then we are proved to have the merciful heart of the Lord and counted to have the mind that is in Jesus Christ in us (Pill. 2:5).

  

Matt. 5:8 “Blessed are the pure in heart For they shall see God.

   YLT: `Happy the clean in heart -- because they shall see God.

   Literal Meaning: “the pure in heart”: they have no adulteration in their hearts so that they desire none besides God (Ps. 73:25). They simply thirst for God and fully seek for God Himself (Ps. 42:1-2).

  “They shall see God.” “See God”: they have face-to-face and intimate fellowship with God i.e. they gain God Himself.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) “Pure heart” is the key to see God------the simple and pure men will see God. If one’s heart is corrupted from simplicity and purity he will fall into darkness.

2) If we are carful and troubled about many things we will lose the good part and lose the Lord Himself (Luke. 10:41).

3) Satan usually makes use of many things to deceive us so that our hearts may be corrupted from simplicity as to Christ (2Cor. 11:3).

4) If we keep on communicating with God day by day the Holy Spirit will correct and purify our hearts until all the others things fade gradually and the image of the Lord is clearly seen in our hearts. At that time your heart is like a pure water and a camera focused on the Lord and the image of the Lord becomes deeper and deeper clearer and clearer that is “to see Him” (Heb. 11:27).

        

Matt. 5:9 “Blessed are the peacemakers For they shall be called sons of God.

   YLT: `Happy the peacemakers -- because they shall be called Sons of God.

   Literal Meaning: “the peacemakers” would terminate the opposing situation among the crowd and further make harmonious relations in love.

  “They shall be called sons of God.” God is the God of peace (2Cor. 13:11). Therefore peacemaking is to do what God Himself does i.e. is to let men see God from us. Thus men surely will call us “the sons of God”.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Believers should do their utmost to live in peace with all men (Rom. 12:18).

2)  The effect of glad tidings is to make peace between God and men and have peace among men (Eph. 2:14-16). Therefore the best way to make peace is to spread the gospel (Eph. 6:15).

3) Whatever you say that would make brothers reconcile with each other is good. Whatever you do that would make brothers reconcile with each other is good.

4) Those who let the peace of Christ preside in their hearts (Col. 3:15) are “peacemakers”.

5) When you receive the Lord Jesus the prince of peace (Is. 9:6) He will make you reconcile with God (Col. 1:21-22). The closer you are with God the closer you will be with men. You will also bring others into the spirit of peace. At that time you partake in the ministry of peace of the son of God ------you have the sign of son of God.

        

Matt. 5:10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

   YLT: `Happy those persecuted for righteousness' sake -- because theirs is the reign of the heavens.

   Literal Meaning: “those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake.” “For righteousness’ sake”: for the will of God (what is right in God’s eyes) one holds fast the truth and righteousness regardless of the opposition and threat from men under the power of darkness. Therefore he is persecuted by them (1Pet. 3:14).

  “For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” There is no place for them to shelter themselves in the kingdom of earth. Assuredly their reward is the kingdom of heaven.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) The former verse “peacemakers” shows how we treat others and this verse “those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake” shows how we are treated by others.

2)  This world hates us because we are not of this world (John. 15:19). Undoubtedly we should live in peace with all men. However we should never follow the evil example of the world.

3) All indeed who desire to live piously in Christ Jesus will be persecuted (2Tim. 3:12).

4) If we willingly bear all the persecutions humiliations and losses for God’s righteousness’ sake we will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God (2Thess. 1:4-5).

5) Only those who make the effort “for the righteousness’ sake” today are qualified to reign and judge others “for the righteousness’ sake” in the kingdom to come.

6) Those that manifest the righteousness of God and bear witness to righteousness will surely be persecuted by the evil. However they will overcome with Him and be glorified together in the end.

7) If one does not follow the bad example of the world or drift with the tide of the world or compromise with the dark lawless and unrighteous world he will unavoidably be persecuted. It is this kind of people that lives in the reality of the kingdom of heaven. Therefore the Lord said that “theirs is the kingdom of heaven”.

 

Matt. 5:11Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.

   YLT: “‘Happy are ye whenever they may reproach you and may persecute and may say any evil thing against you falsely for my sake –

   Literal Meaning: v.11 and v.12 could be regarded as the detailed explanation to v.10. Therefore there are “eight blessings” in Matt.5; v.11 and v.12 could also be regarded as different kinds of persecutions: in v.10 it is the persecution for righteousness’ sake------being persecuted for not willing to partake in the evilness of the world; in v.11 it is the persecution for the Lord------being persecuted for not willing to deny the faith and the name of the Lord. If so there are “nine blessings” in Matt.5.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) The world hates us because it has hated the Lord before us; If they have persecuted the Lord they will also persecute us (John. 15:18-20).

2)  If we indeed believe in the Lord we will be persecuted. Being persecuted for the Lord is essential for citizens of the kingdom of heaven. If one has never been persecuted probably he does not truly believe in the Lord.

3) Lies and slanders are common ways used to persecute Christians. The world is unable to find any fault of the true believers so that they make fabrications. From the other point of view if we lie actually we are persecuting others in disguised form.

4) Sometimes it is tolerable being reviled or persecuted by others. But it is intolerable being slandered with fabrications. Whether it is tolerable or not we should take it calmly.

5) Many people are weak when not faced with persecutions. However they are very strong on the contrary when persecutions come to them. Because the life in them manifests its feature to willingly stand for the Lord.

 

Matt. 5:12 “Rejoice and be exceedingly glad for great is your reward in heaven for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

   YLT: rejoice ye and be glad because your reward great in the heavens for thus did they persecute the prophets who were before you.

   Literal Meaning: there are two reasons to “be exceedingly glad”:

1) “Great is your reward in heaven” It shows that the reward in heaven is unspeakably “great”------the sufferings of this present time are not worthy with the coming glory to be revealed to us (Rom. 8:18).

2) “They persecuted the prophets who were before you.” It shows that we are highly exalted to be listed with the prophets and counted worthy to be dishonored for the name of the Lord (Acts. 5:41).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Concerning the road of a Christian if there are persecutions they are blessings because there are heavenly rewards. It is abnormal if everything goes smooth and prosperously. 

2)  If we are willing to receive the reward that the prophets had received we have to pay what the prophets had paid and suffer what the prophets had suffered (Matt. 23:34 37).

3) When Christians are persecuted or slandered by others we should not sigh or remain silent we should “rejoice and be exceedingly glad”.

4) If there is little persecution there will be little rejoicing. If there is great persecution there will be great rejoicing. Those who do not have this experience will never comprehend this kind of rejoicing.

 

Matt. 5:13You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.

   YLT: “`Ye are the salt of the land but if the salt may lose savour in what shall it be salted? for nothing is it good henceforth except to be cast without and to be trodden down by men.”

   The Background: the salt used in the land of Judaea and the Middle East is “rock salt” or “well salt”. Those pieces of salt which are stones as big as fists are dug out from rock land or well. Outside of these stones there are layers of salt. When the Jews have dinners they hold food in their right hands and lick the salt in their left hands to get the flavor. Each of the family members has a piece of salt in the kitchen. Each of them uses his own salt when having dinners. When the piece of salt reduces its flavor and finally loses its flavor the former piece of salt turns to be a stone and is abandoned casually. These stones without salt are trampled underfoot by men.

  In ancient traditions if a Jew had betrayed his faith and then repented before he was accepted and allowed to return to the synagogue he must lay down at the gate of the synagogue and ask those who enter into the synagogue to trample over him with their feet. Some Christian groups also follow this tradition. The one who had been driven out by the regulations of the assembly before he is accepted and allowed to return is forced to lie down at the gate of the church saying “Trample on me for I am the salt having lost its flavor.”

   Literal Meaning: “you are the salt of the earth” the functions of salt are to flavor and to sterilize. We have dual functions on earth:

  1) To make peace;

  2) To prevent and eliminate sins and corruptions.

  “If the salt loses its flavor how shall it be seasoned?” “The salt loses its flavor” symbolizes that Christians have lost their function and act the same as the world. They are not separated from the world.

  It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.” Christians who have lost their functions are useless before God and are dishonored teased and trampled by the world. When the Lord comes back they will be cast out into the outer darkness: there shall be the weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matt. 25:30).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

Salt is used as flavor and antisepsis. Christians having the nature of salt are able to make men refreshing and prevent them from sins. Normal Christians could reduce improper things that would happen all around them.

2) Salt is to flavor but it has to be dissolved so as to perform its function. In the same way we have to dissolve ourselves sacrifice ourselves and losses ourselves and then become others’ blessings.

3) The aim of Christians of living in the world is not to gain from others but to dedicate to others.

4) Salt is able to sterilize. Christians should be separated from the world and do not follow the bad example of the world. Only by this way Christians could perform their function as to prevent morality from being ruined.

5) To sons and daughters of God having the life of God is not enough. They have to let the life become our dispositions. You are “the salt” is not enough. Only when you are “salty” you are useful.

6) Christians are those in whom is Christ. The flavor of him is not of nature but comes from Christ just like the flavor of pickles comes from sauce. Wherever a Christian is he should manifest the life of Christ sending out the flavor of Christ’s righteousness love light and holiness.

7) Pure salt could not lose its flavor. Therefore if Christians walk by the nature of the divine life in them they will naturally perform the functions of “salt”.

8) If salt is mixed with dust the salty flavor will not be shown. If believers love the world get along with the world and are infected with sins they surely lose their flavor and could not perform their functions to the world.

9) Believers “are” the salt of earth rather than “become” the salt of earth. Our functions in the world are manifested naturally instead of done reluctantly.

          

Matt. 5:14You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.

   YLT: “`Ye are the light of the world a city set upon a mount is not able to be hid;”

   Literal Meaning: “You are the light of the world.” “Salt” emphasizes on our nature and “light” emphasizes on our behavior.

  “A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.” The status of Christians is obvious before the world just like the city that set on a hill and therefore it cannot be hidden.

   Spiritual Meaning: “city” is made up of many structures. Therefore it symbolizes the witness of the assembly as a whole showing that only when the assembly is built together it will greatly function as light.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Salt is our reality------the slaying effect of the cross. Light is our witness------the manifestation of Christ.

2) Light is able to shine and guide. Christians should function as light to shine upon men in darkness and bear witness to God’s glory

3) We should walk as children of light to expose shine and eliminate all the works of darkness (Eph. 5:8 13).

4) Christians “are” salt and light rather than “become” salt and light. “Are” denotes the result of manifestation and it is very easy. “Become” probably includes artificial yet difficult work.  

5) If we live truly in the heavenly scene and under the heavenly authority we will naturally appear as light in the world (Pill. 2:15).

6) Things light with burning at first. If there is no burning of fire there will be no shining of light. If we want to function as light we have to sacrifice and deny ourselves at any price.

7) Among believers we should not seek to show. In the world we should manifest the feature of Christ and let the unbelievers see Christ from us.

8) “Light” is voiceless but it is visible to others. Does what men hear of you accord with what men see from you?

9) If a Christian is built and edified by the Lord the light in him cannot be hidden. There is no power could restrain the manifestation of Christ’s life.

 

Matt. 5:15 “Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket but on a lampstand and it gives light to all who are in the house.

   YLT: “nor do they light a lamp and put it under the measure but on the lamp-stand and it shineth to all those in the house;”

   Literal Meaning: “Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket.” In v.14 it is said that light “cannot be hidden”. Here it is said that light should not be hidden.

  “On a lampstant”: to put it on an obvious place to shine all around.

   Spiritual Meaning: “put it under a basket” “Basket” is a measure made by wood and used to measure grain. Therefore it symbolizes cares of life. The lamp is put under a basket shows that believers are worried about cares of life so that the light is covered.

  “On a lampstand” “Lampstand” is the proper utensil to put lamp symbolizing the life that bears witness to Christ. “A city that is set on the hill” in former verse indicates that Christians stand on the heavenly and excellent status. “Lamp that is put on a lampstand” indicates that Christians stand on normal and decent status.

  “It gives light to all who are in the house.” The “city” in former verse is visible to men outside the city. The “lamp” in this verse is visible to men in the house. This indicates that the light of Christians not only shines upon the outside of men but also the inside of men.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Christians are salt and light. However we the salt may lose our flavor and the light may be put under a basket or quenched by cares of life.

2) Our attitude towards life-----whether we live for the Lord or for ourselves-----crucially determines whether the light is manifested or hidden.

3) If we want to shine for the Lord and lighten men around us we have to overcome cares of life (Matt. 6:24-34).

4) Lamp shines because oil is lighted up. “Oil” denotes the inner-dwelling Holy Spirit. If we want to shine we have to be filled with the Holy Spirit (Eph. 5:18).

5) Anything that may hide the Lord to shine from us is the “basket”. Anything besides the Lord even the best thing may turn to be the “basket” to hide light.

6) The light of Christians not only changes men’s outside ways but also affects their inner hearts.

7) “It gives light to all who are in the house.” We should give light that we get from the Lord to all the children of God and make all men be lightened.

8) The true manifestation of Christ’s life in you is in your own house. The first witness of a Christian is to let “all who are in your house” see your change.

9) If we want to know whether someone is of Spirit we shouldn’t see how he behaves in the meetings we should see how he behaves in his own house.

10) When we shine for the Lord we should not be ambitious to give light to the whole world we should seek to “give light to all who are in our house”. We should not seek to manifest everywhere but seek to shine in the areas which the God of measure has apportioned to us (see 2Cor. 10:13).

 

Matt. 5:16 “Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

   YLT: “so let your light shine before men that they may see your good works and may glorify your Father who in the heavens.”

   Literal Meaning: “Father in heaven” shows that God is the fountainhead of our heavenly life. If we live according to the heavenly life there will be the light of life (John. 1:4 8:12) shone before men. Moreover men will see the manifestation of Christ in us and so that glorify God (1Pet. 2:12).

  “Glorify your Father in heaven”: give praise that God deserves to Him.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Here the Lord treats “your light” and “your good works” as the same thing. This indicates that:

    a) Only when light shines could others see your good works. If light does not       shine others will not see your good works.

    b) The shine of light is the manifestation of God’s disposition from us and it is not us.

    c) If you put your good works before men without the shine of light men will glorify you rather than God.

    d) Your good works have to manifest the light of life. In other words you were not this kind of people before and after you believed in the Lord the new life in you shines and lets others see the light of your good works and glorify God.

2) The reason why the world does not know God and is not willing to believe in the Lord Jesus is probably that Christians lack witness of good works.

3) The motivation of Christians’ good works is not to show off ourselves chase fame or seek men’s praise (Matt. 6:2). The aim of our good works is to manifest God’s glory.

 

Matt. 5:17Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.

   YLT: “`Do not suppose that I came to throw down the law or the prophets -- I did not come to throw down but to fulfill;”

   Meaning of Words: “destroy”: demolish ruin; “fulfill”: realize verify be complete make replete.

   Literal Meaning: “I came to” shows that He came into this world with purpose.

  “To destroy the Law or the prophets”: to overthrow the Old Testament which is made up of the Law and the Prophets.

  “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets.” The words of the Law and the Prophets are divided into two parts:

1) morality and moral principles;

2) letters and regulations.

  The Lord Jesus became flesh in this world. On one hand He did not disobey the morality and moral principles. On the other He was the reality of what letters and regulations stand for. Therefore He came not to destroy the Law or the Prophets.

  “I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.” The two aspects of the meaning of “to fulfill”:

   1) to accomplish and to verify: the demands of the Law in the Old Testament were fully realized in Him. The prophecies of the prophets in the Old Testament were perfectly fulfilled in Him.

   2) to be complete and make replete: the Law and the Prophets in the Old Testament are only letters and shadows. If the Lord Jesus had not come they were incomplete. Therefore He came to fulfill the Law and the Prophets and make them complete.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) The Lord came to fulfill the Law and the Prophets. It shows that the full Christ is the sum and reality of whole Old Testament (Col. 2:17).

2) Though believers are not under law but under grace (Rom. 6:14) we should not use liberty for an occasion to the flesh (Gal. 5:13) and we should also keep the commandments on morality and moral principles.

3) The law has a shadow of the coming good things (Heb.10:1) but the body is of Christ (Col. 2:17). Therefore the Lord came into the world to fulfill the Law and the Prophets.

4) Today God has given the perfect law that of liberty into our minds and God has also written it upon our hearts (Heb.8:10). It is that Christ lives in us with the anointing to teach us as to all things (1John. 2:27). Walking according to Him is to fulfill the Law and the Prophets.

        

Matt. 5:18 “For assuredly I say to you till heaven and earth pass away one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.

   YLT: for verily I say to you till that the heaven and the earth may pass away one iota or one tittle may not pass away from the law till that all may come to pass.

   Meaning of Words: “fulfill”: become (different from the “fulfill” in v.17)

   Literal Meaning: “till heaven and earth pass away” means the time that the first heaven and the first earth are passed away (Rev. 21:1). That is in the eternity.

  “One jot”: the smallest letter (iota) in Greek;

  “One tittle” is to describe filament added to letters or the outstanding part (tittle).

  “All is fulfilled.” The “fulfill” has different meanings in v.17 and v.18: in v.17 it means to complement and make the law perfect. In this verse it means to accomplish the law and make all the demands of the law be realized.

  The Lord did not mean that the law could not pass away but it will pass away till it has been accomplished and completed. The Lord came to the land and had realized and completed the law (Col. 2:14) therefore the letters and regulations of the law has passed away in Christ. If we return to keep the regulations of Sabbath and circumcision it shows that the redemption of Christ is not complete. If so Christ will profit us nothing we are deprived of all profit from the Christ as separated and we have fallen from grace (Gal. 5:2-4).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) The law has its authority and it will not pass away till all of its demands have been accomplished.

2) In this verse the Lord meant that the law is not complete before He came to the world and He came to make it perfect. It is obvious that Christ is the end of the law (Rom. 10:4).

3) Since Christ has fulfilled the law we do not need to keep the regulations of the law. We keep the spirit of the law as long as we live in Christ. 

 

Matt. 5:19 “Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches men so shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

   YLT: “`Whoever therefore may loose one of these commands -- the least -- and may teach men so least he shall be called in the reign of the heavens but whoever may do and may teach he shall be called great in the reign of the heavens.”

   Meaning of Words: “breaks”: dissolve loose cancel.

   Literal Meaning: “breaks one of these commandments” “these commandments” are not the commandments in the Old Testament but the ones having been fulfilled improved and perfected by the Lord. These commandments are equivalent to words after “For I say to you” in verses below------ every word said by the Lord to us. Believers should not aimlessly treat the words that the Lord had said in this chapter.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Being called least or great in the kingdom of heaven depends on how we keep the word of the Lord. In other words if we want to be called great in the kingdom of heaven we have to attach importance to every word said by the Lord and not only “do” the words by ourselves but also “teach” others to do them.

2) The servants of the Lord should not only “teach” others in words but also do the words themselves just like Paul had said that “Take heed to yourself and to the teaching” (1Tim. 4:16).

3) Those who only pay attention to reasons and teachings and neglect morals and behaviors are not worthy to be respected by believers.

4) The requirements of the law in the Old Testament are relative and that of the kingdom of heaven are absolute.

5) The more you obey the authority of the kingdom of heaven and keep the requirements of the kingdom of heaven the more you have been constituted into the kingdom of heaven. Therefore the more requirements you do the greater you are called in the kingdom of heaven.

 

Matt. 5:20 “For I say to you that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.

   YLT: “`For I say to you that if your righteousness may not abound above that of the scribes and Pharisees ye may not enter to the reign of the heavens.”

   Literal Meaning: “your righteousness”: the righteous behaviors of believers in the New Testament.

  “The scribes and Pharisees” “the scribes” were the Bible teachers among the Jews at that time. They were specialists in law and most of them are Pharisees (please see the notes in Matt. 3:7). Their righteousness gained by doing the regulations of the law is the righteousness in the law (Pill. 3:6).

  This verse means that even if we have strictly done every rule of the Old Testament what we receive is only the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees and we still could not entre into the kingdom of heaven.

  The righteousness of Christians (Rev.19:8) is gained by doing the law (these commandments) which has been fulfilled and improved by the Lord according to the life of God. Therefore it exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) The principle of the kingdom of heaven is not unrighteousness but the higher righteousness which “exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees”.

2) The reason why the righteousness of Christians exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees is that God’s life in us enables us to do it instead of our own ability.

3) The scribes and Pharisees outwardly do the regulations of the law but within are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness (Matt. 23:28). They have a form of piety but deny the power of it (2Tim. 3:5).

4) The righteousness achieved by Christians is not outwardly doing the letters and words of the law but inwardly fulfilling the law of Christ (Gal. 6:2). Christianity pays more attention to inner character that to outer forms.

5) We are saved as long as we believe in the Lord Jesus. But righteousness of higher lever is required to enter into the kingdom of heaven. We are saved by Christ who becomes our righteousness. We enter into the kingdom of heaven by the righteousness manifested upon us by Christ.

        

Matt. 5:21You have heard that it was said to those of old You shall not murder and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.'

   YLT: “`Ye heard that it was said to the ancients: Thou shalt not kill and whoever may kill shall be in danger of the judgment;”

   Literal Meaning: “that it was said to those of old”: the words God had spoken formerly to the fathers in the prophets (Heb. 1:1).

  “You shall not murder” It is the sixth commandment in the Ten Commandments in the Old Testament (Ex. 20:13 Deut. 5:17).

  “Whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment” The murderer shall certainly be put to death (Ex. 21:12 Lev. 24:17 Deut. 17: 8-13).

   Enlightenment in the Word: Christians should not murder others or commit suicide because committing suicide is also a kind of murder.

        

Matt. 5:22 “But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother "Raca!' shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says "You fool!' shall be in danger of hell fire.

   YLT: “but I -- I say to you that every one who is angry at his brother without cause shall be in danger of the judgment and whoever may say to his brother Empty fellow! shall be in danger of the sanhedrim and whoever may say Rebel! shall be in danger of the gehenna of the fire.”

   The Background: “hell fire” “hell” comes from the Hebrew word Gehenna. It was the name of a ravine outside of the city of Jerusalem. Its another name is “the son of Hinnom” (Josh. 18:16). It was the place used to burn their sons and daughters in fire when the Gentiles worship Moloch (Jer. 7:31). Then the Jews changed this place to burn bodies of sinners and unclean rubbish. Therefore the fire burns all the time in that place. The Bible uses this background to describe the punishment of the hell in future-----the punishment of fire which is not quenched.

Literal Meaning: “But I say to you.” Here the Lord made the law of the kingdom of heaven as the king of the kingdom of heaven.

  “Whoever is angry with his brother” Being angry with someone is more than being angry because the angry one may not sin (Eph. 4:26). However the one who is angry with someone may have the intention to harm others.

  “Shall be in danger of judgment” The reason why one murders is that there is anger in him. We should not only commit the behavior of murder but also fundamentally eliminate the possibility to commit murder.

  “Raca” is used to abuse in Aramaic (reka). It means useless and ignorant.

  “In danger of the council” “Council” is the supreme administration office (Sanherdrin). Here it can also be the Rabbinic Council in Synagogue.

  “You fool”: the word used to abuse in Hebrew. It means stupid and betrayal. Its scornful tone is stronger than “raca”.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) What is traditional (“you have heard that”) is outward and of letters. Only what is revealed directly by the Son of God (“but I say to you”) touches the spiritual reality.

2) The Lord does not like that the men of Him loses his temper or gets angry without a cause especially gets angry with brothers. Being angry with brothers is not a good thing.

3) Believers should not despise or look down upon brothers.

4) What God says in His Son is the latest revelation and the most updated light.

5) Never speak randomly or abuse or rebuke others without a cause. All that is not of love in the eyes of the Lord is another form of murder.

6) The Lord pays attention to the motivation of our words. Anything that comes from our natural life flesh and Old Adam will be judged.

        

Matt. 5:23 “Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you

   YLT: “`If therefore thou mayest bring thy gift to the altar and there mayest remember that thy brother hath anything against thee ”

   Literal Meaning: “alter”: the place of sacrifice. The Jews are usually forgiven by God and are acceptable to God through offering sacrifice to God.

  “Bring your gift”: the voluntary-offerings offered to God to thank Him.

  “There remember that your brother has something against you.” “Remember”: it is the movement of Spirit. If a brother has something against another brother it shows that there is trouble and unpleasantness among brothers.

   Spiritual Meaning: “bringing your gift to the alter” symbolizes that we enter into the holies to communicate with God by the precious blood of the Lord Jesus (Heb. 10:19).

 

Matt. 5:24 “leave your gift there before the altar and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother and then come and offer your gift.

   YLT: “leave there thy gift before the altar and go -- first be reconciled to thy brother and then having come bring thy gift.”

   Literal Meaning: note that here it does not point out the rightness or wrongness. Therefore even if a brother misunderstands us and has something against us without a cause we should try our utmost to solve the problem.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Usually it is shown that the one who would have something against others is young in Spirit. The elder one in Spirit though he is right will take the initiative to be reconciled to his brother.

2) Firstly we should have no estrangement with men and then we could have pleasant fellowship with God.

3) Firstly we should have smooth fellowship with brothers (“first be reconciled to your brother”) and then we could have smooth fellowship with God (“and then come and offer your gift”). Our connection with the head and with the body are both indispensable.

4) The sins among brothers are sins in the assembly. We have to remove every sin in the assembly and then God may bless us a hundredfold or tenfold.

        

Matt. 5:25 “Agree with your adversary quickly while you are on the way with him lest your adversary deliver you to the judge the judge hand you over to the officer and you be thrown into prison.

   YLT: “`Be agreeing with thy opponent quickly while thou art in the way with him that the opponent may not deliver thee to the judge and the judge may deliver thee to the officer and to prison thou mayest be cast ”

   Literal Meaning: “your adversary”: the brother who has something against you in v.23.

   Spiritual Meaning: “on the way with him” refers to the time we live in the world to run on the race into the heaven.

  “Your adversary delivers you to the judge” “the judge”: the Lord Himself. Here it means that he prayed to the Lord and asked Him to judge and avenge (Rev. 6:10).

  “The judge hand you over to the officer and you be thrown into prison.” “Officer”: angels. “Prison”: the place where believers are punished in future------the outer darkness (Matt. 25:30).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) The door of salvation is not open forever and the door of reconciliation is not either. We have to remove every rancor while we are alive.

2) “While you are on the way with him.” It shows that if anyone of the two parties passes away it will be too late for them to be reconciled. Therefore we should be reconciled to others as soon as possible. We should never procrastinate. 

3) Confession and reconciliation among brothers have nothing to do with salvation but has something to do with the reward in future.

        

Matt. 5:26 “Assuredly I say to you you will by no means get out of there till you have paid the last penny.

   YLT: “verily I say to thee thou mayest not come forth thence till that thou mayest pay the last farthing.

   Literal Meaning: “penny”: the copper coin with the smallest denomination.

  This verse shows what the citizens of the kingdom of heaven owe to others will be paid off. Ever if it is a small thing that we owe to others it must be paid off clearly.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) All that we owe to others must be paid off sooner or later. If we do not pay off them on the way we have to pay off them in the prison. Therefore the earlier we pay off what we owe to others the better it will be to us.

       2) No matter how much we owe to others we do owe to others. And all that we owe to others must be paid off.

 

Matt. 5:27You have heard that it was said to those of old You shall not commit adultery.'

   YLT: “`Ye heard that it was said to the ancients: Thou shalt not commit adultery;”

   Literal Meaning: “You shall not commit adultery” It is the seventh commandment of the Ten Commandments (Ex. 20:14 Deut. 5:18). “Adultery”: sex between a married person and sb. who is not their husband or wife.

  

Matt. 5:28 “But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

   YLT: “but I -- I say to you that every one who is looking on a woman to desire her did already commit adultery with her in his heart.”

   Literal Meaning: “looks at”: to look specially to look with particular purpose;

  “To lust for her”: lust (“desire” in original) rose from one’s heart;

  Here the Lord did not judge the normal feelings about sex. Because normal feelings about sex and marriage are not guilty but holy (Heb. 13:4) and come from God’s creation. What the Lord judges is to purposely look at a woman with sight of lust.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) The lustful feelings are the motivation and reason to commit adultery. Citizens of the kingdom of heaven should not commit adultery and should root out the lustful feelings and intentions.

2) When we see others with the opposite sex and Satan puts abnormal sexual feelings into our hearts we should learn to refuse them immediately. We should not look at others again to satisfy that sexual feelings.

3) Nobody is able to completely prevent disturbance of lust. However when the lustful feelings knock our heart we should not permit them to enter in accept them or let them stay.

4) Watching pornographic novels photos movies and TVs are all behaviors of committing adultery.

 

Matt. 5:29 “If your right eye causes you to sin pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish than for your wnhole body to be cast into hell.

   YLT: “`But if thy right eye doth cause thee to stumble pluck it out and cast from thee for it is good to thee that one of thy members may perish and not thy whole body be cast to gehenna.”

   Literal Meaning: “If your right eye causes you to sin” Many sins of men come from the lust of the eyes (1John. 2:16).

  “Pluck it out” The Lord meant that we should do our utmost to deal with the factors that may cause us to commit sins. The Lord did not ask us to pluck the eye out physically because even if we pluck the eye out we may still commit sins. Never keep the words of the Lord in v.29 and v.20 literally.

   Spiritual Meaning: “pluck it out”: put to death the deeds of the body by the Spirit (Rom. 8:13). In other words put to death your members which upon the earth (Col. 3:5).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

         1) We have to deal with and remove the factors that may commit adultery well otherwise we will be punished by the Lord in future.

         2) If one clearly knows how dirty and terrible adultery is he would rather become disabled than be tainted with dirtiness.

 

Matt. 5:30 “And if your right hand causes you to sin cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish than for your whole body to be cast into hell.

   YLT: “`And if thy right hand doth cause thee to stumble cut it off and cast from thee for it is good to thee that one of thy members may perish and not thy whole body be cast to gehenna.”

   Literal Meaning: “hands” are the main tools used by men to commit sins. The Lord did not ask us to cut the right hand off physically (a man had cut ten fingers off to abstain from gambling. But when the addition to gambling works he still gambled as usual.) The Lord meant to make us have the determination to deal with sins and deal with the motivation and causes of sins at any price.

   Spiritual Meaning: “cut if off”: do not yield your members instruments of unrighteousness to sin (Rom. 6:13).

 

Matt. 5:31Furthermore it has been said Whoever divorces his wife let him give her a certificate of divorce.'

   YLT: “`And it was said That whoever may put away his wife let him give to her a writing of divorce;”

   Literal Meaning: the law in the Old Testament allowed men to divorce (Deut. 24:1).

  “Divorce his wife”: the husband’s side proposed the demand for divorce to the wife’s side.

  “A certificate of divorce”: it is written by the husband’s side to the wife’s side to ensure the social status of the wife’s side and prevent her from harassment of the husband’s side.

  

Matt. 5:32 “But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason except sexual immorality causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery.

   YLT: “but I -- I say to you that whoever may put away his wife save for the matter of whoredom doth make her to commit adultery; and whoever may marry her who hath been put away doth commit adultery.”

   Literal Meaning: “for any reason except sexual immorality” It implies that unchastity is the only reason to allow men to divorce because the unchaste behavior of one side has destroyed the reality of one flesh of husband and wife.

  “Causes her to commit adultery” Since it is allowed to divorce for the reason of unchastity the one that is divorced is ascribed to be unchaste.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

         1) If someone gets married with someone who commits adultery he commits adultery himself.

         2) Marriage is the most important thing to Christians in their life. Therefore before marriage they should open their eyes to observe each other carefully lest they may regret. After marriage they should try their best to close their eyes not to find fault with each other.

 

Matt. 5:33 Again you have heard that it was said to those of old You shall not swear falsely but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.'

   YLT: “`Again ye heard that it was said to the ancients: Thou shalt not swear falsely but thou shalt pay to the Lord thine oaths;”

   Meaning of Words: “swear falsely”: forswear commit perjury. “Oaths”: to declare with oath a limit a fence.   

   Literal Meaning: the law in the Old Testament allows men to vow a vow or swear an oath to God and he should perform his vow or oath (Num. 30:2 Deut. 23:21).

  

Matt. 5:34 “But I say to you do not swear at all: neither by heaven for it is God's throne;

   YLT: “but I -- I say to you not to swear at all; neither by the heaven because it is the throne of God ”

   Literal Meaning: “neither by heaven” “By”: by relying on someone or the support of someone or restoring to a man or one thing one proves that the words said by the swearer are right.

  Men swear because their own words are not trustful and they attempt to use their responsible attitude towards heaven the earth and God to show their honesty. Actually heaven is God’s throne the earth is His footstool and Jerusalem is the city of the great King. These are of God and we are not qualified to use these to support our oaths. Moreover even our head (v.36) is not under our control. If we know our identity and status and know that we are irresponsible for anything we will not swear any oath.

  

Matt. 5:35 “nor by the earth for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem for it is the city of the great King.

   YLT: “nor by the earth because it is His footstool nor by Jerusalem because it is a city of a great king ”

   Literal Meaning: “the great King”: God.

 

Matt. 5:36 “Nor shall you swear by your head because you cannot make one hair white or black.

   YLT: “nor by thy head mayest thou swear because thou art not able one hair to make white or black;”

   Literal Meaning: “you cannot make one hair white or black”. It shows that our heads are under the control of God. They are not under our control.

  

Matt. 5:37 “But let your "Yes' be "Yes ' and your "No ' "No.' For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.

   YLT: “but let your word be Yes Yes No No and that which is more than these is of the evil.”

   Literal Meaning: the aim of words is to show the fact. The words would be simple when they are similar to the fact. The words of believers should be concise frank and sincere. If our words are more than the fact or less than the fact it shows that we are lying more or less. Satan is the father of liars (John. 8:44). Therefore whatever is more than these is from the evil one.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) “Yes” and “No” cannot be accommodated otherwise we are unable to be witnesses of the Lord on earth.

2) Christians should speak honestly and faithfully usually. Let our “Yes” be “Yes” and do not add something else. Neither do we need to ask heaven the earth and God to bear witness to our words. We should not say that I do not lie for I’m a Christian (it includes the meaning of oath to say that I’m a Christian so as to gain others’ trust).

3) Usually we should walk honestly without any ambiguities. In this way even if others do not trust in our words we do not need to swear an oath to defend ourselves. They have the freedom to trust in us or not.

4) To avoid ambiguous words we have to speak in Christ because Christ did not become Yes and No but in Him it has become Yes (2Cor. 1:18-20).

        

Matt. 5:38 You have heard that it was said An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’”

   YLT: “`Ye heard that it was said: Eye for eye and tooth for tooth;”

   Literal Meaning: the law in the Old Testament allows men to ask for justice (Ex. 21:24 Deut. 19:21). In other words with the aim of stopping impinging on others at liberty one could revenge with similar degree if he has been evilly treated.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

         1) The righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees is “an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth”. It means that the justice revenge is not judged. Knocking down your tooth at first is guilty but if you in return knock his tooth down you are not guilty.

         2) The world seeks for justice and Christians seek for what exceeds justice.

 

Matt. 5:39 “But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek turn the other to him also.

   YLT: “but I -- I say to you not to resist the evil but whoever shall slap thee on thy right cheek turn to him also the other;”

   Literal Meaning: “not to resist an evil person” “an evil person”: the one who treats us evilly. When we are evilly treated by others we should not react by our natural life.

  “Whoever slaps you on your right cheek.” It refers to the wrongfully evil treatment.

  “Turn the other to him also.” Only when the one being slapped has no hatred at all he can turn the other cheek to others. It is impossible to do it by our endurance or self-cultivation. It is the life of God that could do it.  

   Spiritual Meaning: “slap the cheek” symbolizes humiliation. We should be unconventional so that glory dishonor evil report and good report (2Cor. 6:8) would never affect us.

  Controversial Clarification: note that in these words (v.38-v.41) the Lord did not teach us the nonresistance. Neither did He teach us that there’s no need to guard against evil works of the evil. The Lord taught us to know God’s life in us. He also taught us that when something crops up we should react by God’s life instead of our natural life. At the same time these words were said to Christians therefore we should never tell these to unbelievers lest we may receive unnecessary humiliation. It is unprofitable both to us and others (see Matt. 7:6).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) The world argues that which one fought earlier. The behavior of the other who fought later is justice self-defense. However Christians do not fight at first and are even not willing to hit back.

2) When one slaps us in our right cheek it is the Lord that uses men’s hands to increase our tolerance and make us grow up. Therefore the best reaction is to turn the other to him in order to fulfill what the Lord does by men’s hands.

3) “Right cheek”: the Lord deals with us. “Left cheek”: we standing on the side of the Lord deal with us. The spiritual increase lies in agreeing to be dealt with gladly through cross by the Lord. 

4) If we know that the “hand” of man is the “tool” used by the Lord we will not fell angry or discomfort when being “slapped”. On the contrary we will be glad. 

        

Matt. 5:40 “If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic let him have your cloak also.

   YLT: “and whoever is willing to take thee to law and thy coat to take -- suffer to him also the cloak.”

   Literal Meaning: “if anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic” “Tunic”: it is the belonging next to the skin of a man and the most reasonable enjoyment to a man. Therefore it refers to others’ wrongful exploitation.

  “Let him have your cloak also.” “Cloak” is more precious than the tunic. Therefore it indicates that we do not dispute with others and feel calm with the loss of a greater belonging.

   Spiritual Meaning: “take away the cloths” symbolizes losing the right of privacy. We have become a spectacle to the world both too angels and men for the sake of the Lord (1Cor. 4:9). We willingly lose the right of privacy about our life.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) It is absolutely wrongful to take away our tunic by others. It is absolutely wrongful to give our cloak to others. Christians do not walk according to natural principles.

2) Christians do not argue with correctness or wrongness. A Christian who argues lives in his brain (soul) instead of in life (spirit).

        

Matt. 5:41 “And whoever compels you to go one mile go with him two.

   YLT: “`And whoever shall impress thee one mile go with him two ”

The Background: at that time Roman government had the right to ask its people to provide service or impose property for public use. For example the Roman soldiers compelled a man of Cyrene Simon by name to go that he might bear the cross of the Jesus (Matt. 27:32).

   Literal Meaning: “and whoever compels you to go one mile” Being compelled to go one mile is losing the right to act on one’s own and under the authority of others.

  “Go with him two”: one is most willing to be under the power of others.

   Spiritual Meaning: “compelling to go” symbolizes the submission of will. We should be meek and lowly in heart (Matt. 11:29) and do not adhere to something for ourselves.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) In this world there is no authority except from God (Rom. 13:1). Therefore obeying the authority of men is to obey God.

2) Unless the authority of men is obviously against God we should not obey (Acts. 5:29). Generally even if it is an unreasonable compulsion we should accept it gladly.

3) The stronger is so strong that he could restrict himself to disregarding his own rights.

        

Matt. 5:42 “Give to him who asks you and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.

   YLT: “to him who is asking of thee be giving and him who is willing to borrow from thee thou mayest not turn away.”

   Literal Meaning: treasure will most probably occupy one’s heart (Matt. 6:21). It dose not mean the benefaction without discernment. It means that our heart should stand aloof from being occupied by treasure.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

         1) Your treasure is not of you. God has entrusted you to manage your treasure.

         2) When someone comes to ask you you should regard him as a messenger from God to test your intention.

 

Matt. 5:43 You have heard that it was said You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'

   YLT: “`Ye heard that it was said: Thou shalt love thy neighbor and shalt hate thine enemy;”

   Literal Meaning: “You shall love your neighbor” is quoted from Lev. 19:18. “Hate your enemy” was said by the rabbi at that time. “Neighbor” generally refers to those who we contact. “Enemy”: those who are against us. Loving neighbor and hating enemy are natural and normal.

  

Matt. 5:44 “But I say to you love your enemies bless those who curse you do good to those who hate you and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you

   YLT: “but I -- I say to you Love your enemies bless those cursing you do good to those hating you and pray for those accusing you falsely and persecuting you ”

   Meaning of Words: “Love”: sacred love (agapao in original)

   Literal Meaning: “love your enemies” The feelings of believers should exceed the natural love and hatred. On one hand we should abhor evil and cleave to good (Rom. 12:9) and not be fellow-partakers with the evil (Eph. 5:7). On the other we should love souls of sinners with mercy. 

   Enlightenment in the Word:

         1) Men’s love (phileo in original) is conditional and dominated by circumstances. Men only love the lovable. God’s love (agapao in original) is unconditional and therefore God loves the unlovable.

         2) When persecuted the best countermeasure to Christians is to pray. Praying will ask God to work and change the circumstances so that we could lead a quiet and tranquil life (1Tim. 2:1-2).

 

Matt. 5:45 “that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

   YLT: “that ye may be sons of your Father in the heavens because His sun He doth cause to rise on evil and good and He doth send rain on righteous and unrighteous.”

   Literal Meaning: “sons of your Father in heaven” It shows that because the life and position of God is in us we should treat men without any difference just like what He does in nature.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) God loves those who hate Him bless those who curse Him and shows mercy to the hypocritical and the dishonest. On account of God’s love in us could God allow us to recompense the evil with evil (Rom. 12:17)?

2) God’s children should imitate what God of grace does. God gives men what they do not deserve and we should also give men what they do not deserve more than what they deserve. These are what a Christian should do.

3) The power of light is in the sun instead of in men. The power to love is in God instead of in us. God’s love will not be affected by men or circumstances.

        

Matt. 5:46 “For if you love those who love you what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?

   YLT: “`For if ye may love those loving you what reward have ye? do not also the tax-gatherers the same?”

   Literal Meaning: “tax collectors”: the Jews hired by the Roman government to impose levies upon their Jewish fellow people. They are regarded as flunkies of Roman government and despised by Jewish people as sinners (Matt. 11:19). This verse indicates that even the sinners love those who love them.

  

Matt. 5:47 “And if you greet your brethren only what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so?

   YLT: “and if ye may salute your brethren only what do ye abundant? do not also the tax-gatherers so?”

   Meaning of Words: “more than”: even more exceed.

   Literal Meaning: “tax collectors”: the unbelievers.

  The difference between the believers and the unbelievers is that there is the life and disposition of God in believers. And we could treat others not according to the hate and love of our natural life. If we live in the life of God we could love the enemies whom we are unable to love by our natural life.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) It is sinners’ reaction to love those who love them. It is the tax collectors’ reaction to greet those who are close to them. To Christians it is very easy and low for them to do so and there is no separation between them and unbelievers.

2) The “more than” in this verse matches with “exceed” in v.20. There is the love more than the love of unbelievers there will be the righteousness exceeding the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees.

 

Matt. 5:48 “Therefore you shall be perfect just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

   YLT: “ye shall therefore be perfect as your Father who in the heavens is perfect.”

   Literal Meaning: the “perfect” here has two meanings:

   1) being complete. It means to love the evil and the good.

   2) the perfect love (1John. 4:18).

  In other aspects we are unable to be as perfect as God the Father. However in love we should seek to be perfect just as God the Father.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) “Just as your Father in heaven is perfect.” It denotes that only by the heavenly life of God the Father could we achieve complete perfectness.

2) The Lord concluded the states that the citizens of the kingdom of heaven should have with “just as your Father in heaven is perfect”. The law of the kingdom of heaven is to completely manifest the fullness of God that is the full testimony of the Son of God.

        

III. Outlines of the Spiritual Lessons

 

Characters of Citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven

I. Being poor in Spirit (v.3)

II. To mourn (v.4)

III. Being meek (v.5)

IV. To hunger and thirst for righteousness (v.6)

V. Being merciful (v.7)

VI. Being pure in heart (v.8)

VII. To make peace (v.9)

VIII. Being persecuted for righteousness’ sake (v.10)

IX. Being reviled and persecuted for the Lord’s sake (v.11-12)

 

Missions of Citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven

I. The salt of the earth (v.13) ------the manifestation of internal nature

II. The light of the world (v.14-16) ------the expression of external behaviors

 

Righteousness of Citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven

I. Teaching others and obeying the commandments of the Lord (v.19)

II. Their righteousness exceeding the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees (v. 20)

 

Interpersonal Relationship of Citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven

I. Should not be angry with brothers and should be reconciled with brothers (v. 21-26)

II. Should not lust for others and should be reconciled with spouse (v.27-32)

III. Should not swear and should speak the truth (v.33-37)

IV. Should not resist an evil person and should give to him who asks you (v.38-42)

V. Should not hate others and should love the enemy (v.43-48)

 

Comparison of Commandments in the New Testament and the Old Testament

I. The Old Testament: you shall not murder ------the New Testament: do not be angry with your brother do not abuse and do not owe to them (v.21-26).

II. The Old Testament: you shall not commit adultery ------the New Testament: do not lust for others and divorce (v.27-32).

III. The Old Testament: you shall not swear falsely ------the New Testament: do not swear or say more than the fact (v. 33-37).

IV. The Old Testament: an eye for an eye ------the New Testament: do not resist or decline others (v.38-42).

V. The Old Testament: love your neighbor and hate your enemy ------the New Testament: love your enemy and pray for those who persecute you (v.43-47)

 

Responses Christians Should Have

I. Whoever slaps your right cheek turn the other to him also (v.39) ------it overcomes the feeling of humiliation.

II. If anyone wants to take away your tunic let him have your cloak also (v.40) ------it overcomes the right of privacy.

III. Whoever compels you to go one mile go with him two (v.41) ------it overcomes the strong will.

IV. Give to him who asks you and from which who wants to borrow from you do not turn away (v.42) ------it overcomes the occupation of treasure.

V. Love and pray for those who resist and persecute you (v.43) ------it overcomes the feelings of love and hate.

 

── Caleb HuangChristian Digest Bible Commentary Series

   Translated by Sharon Ren