查經資料大全

 

| Back to Home Page | Back to Book Index |

 

Matthew Chapter Eighteen

 

I. Content of the Chapter

 

The State that the Citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven Should Have

I. Be humble to each other------the humbler one is the greater he will be (v.1-4).

II. Receive each other------do not offend others (v.5-11).

III. Seek each other------do not cause anyone to get lost (v.12-14).

IV. Retrieve each other------one or two agree concerning anything that they ask and are gathered in the name of the Lord (v.15-20).

V. Forgive each other------forgive his brother from his heart (v.21-35).

 

II. Verse by Verse commentary

 

Matt. 18:1 “At that time the disciples came to Jesus saying Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’”

   YLT: “At that hour came the disciples near to Jesus saying `Who now is greater in the reign of the heavens?’”

   Literal Meaning: “at that time” is the same time when the Lord taught Peter to take a fish for a piece of money to pay for the tax (See Matt. 17:27).

  “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” The disciples asked this question. It proved that they liked to be great they even had disputed among themselves who should be the greatest (See Mark. 9:33-34).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Not merely the world likes to dispute that who is the greatest but also this difficulty exists in the assembly.

2) The inclination to dispute that who is the greatest is of the natural life of the old man. Only those who live in the spiritual life of the new man are able to solve this problem.

 

Matt. 18:2 “Then Jesus called a little child to Him set him in the midst of them

   YLT: “And Jesus having called near a child did set him in the midst of them ”

 

Matt. 18:3 “and said Assuredly I say to you unless you are converted and become as little children you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.

   YLT: “and said `Verily I say to you if ye may not be turned and become as the children ye may not enter into the reign of the heavens;”

   Meaning of Words: “converted”: transform change; “becomes”: cause to be be fulfilled;

   Literal Meaning: “unless you are converted” The passive voice “are converted” shows that this can not be done by men’s natural power. One’s life and disposition need be changed by the power of God. Certainly this kind of conversion is definitely not an affectation in appearance. The Lord indicated that one not only has to repent and be born from above but also he should let the life of God change his disposition.

  “Become as little children” “Little children” have many disadvantages and advantages compared with grown-ups; the Lord did not want them to be as ignorant as little children (See 1Cor. 3:1-3) or unable to discern both good and evil (See Eph. 4:14) or unable to eat meat (See Heb. 5:12-14) etc. The Lord asked them to be as “humble” as children (See v.4). This feature shows that: children are simple and pure they feel lowly and fully rely on their parents and they are willing to hear and obey their parents etc.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Here it is not “act” as little children but “become” as little children. Therefore one is able to rest in his present standing and does not feel strenuous or at a disadvantage.

2) The Lord’s words show that our old men and old dispositions have no place in the kingdom of heaven because God sets Himself against the proud (James. 4:6 1Pet5. 5).

 

Matt. 18:4 “Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

   YLT: “whoever then may humble himself as this child he is the greater in the reign of the heavens.”

   Meaning of Words: “humble”: depress bring low abase.

   Literal Meaning: “humbles himself”: bring low himself and do not let the self be free.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) A child holds that he has nothing to boast and therefore his humbleness is sincere. Anyone who holds that he is nothing owns nothing and only leads a life relying on God’s mercy and grace is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

2) The Lord humbled Himself and therefore He was highly exalted by God (Pill. 2:8-9). The principle in spiritual realm is that for every one who humbles himself shall be exalted (See Luke. 18:14).

3) The humbler one is the more he is able to be reigned by God and the greater he is in the kingdom of heaven.

 

Matt. 18:5 “Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.

   YLT: “`And he who may receive one such child in my name doth receive me ”

   Literal Meaning: “receives…in My name” “In My name” has three meanings: 1) in order to glorify the name of the Lord; 2) for the Lord Himself; 3) according to the fact that the counterpart is of the Lord. “Receive”: welcome be concerned about accept willingly.

  “Whoever receives one little child like this receives Me.” “Little child” indicates believers who are spiritually naïve and weak. Grown-ups always dislike the childishness ignorance and bother of children. Only those who become little children are able to receive those who are children in minds willingly (See 1Cor. 13:11 14:20). This kind of reception shall be remembered by the Lord (See Matt. 10:42 25:40).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) We should love both Christ and all the Saints.

2) In the sight of the Lord our attitudes towards men are equivalent to our attitudes towards Himself (See Matt. 10:40).

 

Matt. 18:6Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

   YLT: “and whoever may cause to stumble one of those little ones who are believing in me it is better for him that a weighty millstone may be hanged upon his neck and he may be sunk in the depth of the sea.”

   Literal Meaning: “whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin ” “Little ones who believe in Me” indicate any common believer. “To sin” indicates one’s faith in the Lord is shaken so that he even departs from the righteous way or commits sins.

  “It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.” “A millstone” is literally translated as “the millstone for the donkey to turn” which is much bigger than the common mill for house application (See Matt. 24:41). Therefore it must be very heavy. If it were hung around one’s neck not only he would be drowned in the depth of the sea but also it is impossible for him to emerge from the surface of the sea.

   Spiritual Meaning: “it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were drowned in the depth of the sea” indicates that this man would cause others to sin because of his pride and hardened neck. The Lord here meant that this kind of people who cause others to sin are useless in the assembly. It would be better to treat them as Gentiles (“drowned in the depth of the sea”) and have no company with them (See 2Thess. 3:14) lest they may continually harm others.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Believers in the assembly should be those who supply the spiritual bread (“a millstone”). However if one always offends others even though he is spiritually talented he is useless.

2) A millstone could help men grind grain for men’s living. It could also be used to drown men into the sea and deprive the meaning of men’s existence. Whether something is positive or negative depends on men’s own spiritual state.

 

Matt. 18:7 “Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!

   YLT: “`Wo to the world from the stumbling-blocks! for there is a necessity for the stumbling-blocks to come but wo to that man through whom the stumbling-block doth come!”

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) The Lord treated it very serious to offend others. Though believers who offend others shall not lose the eternal life they must suffer great losses in the kingdom.

2) Though in the assembly offenses must come whether it is on purpose or not. However if it is possible we have to be careful and do our utmost to avoid offending others.

3) The main reason to offend others or be offended by others is pride. A proud man either offends others or is offended by others.

 

Matt. 18:8‘If your hand or foot causes you to sin cut it off and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life lame or maimed rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into the everlasting fire.”

   YLT: “`And if thy hand or thy foot doth cause thee to stumble cut them off and cast from thee; it is good for thee to enter into the life lame or maimed rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast to the fire the age-during.”

   Literal Meaning: “the everlasting fire” indicates that the fire in the hell is not quenched (See Mark. 9:44).

   Spiritual Meaning: “hand” symbolizes behaviors and methods; “foot” symbolizes position and way.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) The one who is easy to offend others usually offend himself first. If someone is unwilling to offend others he has to learn not to offend himself first.

2) One should pay price to remove every cause of offenses and should not harden his neck or hold on his existing methods and position (See Rom. 14:13 21).

3) One has to strictly deal with any person or thing that may cause to offend men. We would rather let the Lord deprive us of the material and external perfectness in this life than inherit the spiritual and everlasting losses and loses of life. 

 

Matt. 18:9 “And if your eye causes you to sin pluck it out and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life with one eye rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.

   YLT: “`And if thine eye doth cause thee to stumble pluck it out and cast from thee; it is good for thee one-eyed to enter into the life rather than having two eyes to be cast to the gehenna of the fire.”

   Literal Meaning: “cast into hell fire” “hell” is the place for sinners to be tortured forever. “Cast into hell fire” indicates the second death (See Rev. 20:14).

   Spiritual Meaning: “eye” symbolizes sight view the lust of the eyes desire.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) If one holds on his own idea he shall offend himself and others. If he does not deal with it he will suffer spiritual losses (See 1Cor. 3:15).

2) If our eyes despise others (See v.10) we have to pluck them out (i.e. deal with them). The reason why men despise others is that they have thought soberly and think of themselves more highly than they ought to think (Rom. 12:3). Believers should be in lowliness of mind and each esteems the others as more excellent than themselves (Pill. 2:3).

 

Matt. 18:10‘Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven.”

   YLT: “`Beware! ye may not despise one of these little ones for I say to you that their messengers in the heavens do always behold the face of my Father who is in the heavens ”

   Literal Meaning: “their angels” Every believer has angels that serve him no matter how insignificant he is (See Heb. 1:14 Acts. 12:15).

  “Always see the face of My Father who is in heaven” The angels who take care of little children always stand before the Father indicating God’s mercy and help at any time.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) It is the spirit of the world to despise one of these little ones. The spirit of the heavenly kingdom is to receive little ones and not to offend anyone of little ones (See v.5-6).

2) The main reason to offend others is to be proud and despise others.

3) There is no acceptance of persons with God (Rom. 2:11). Therefore anyone who despises men may hurt the Father in the Heaven. God values and takes care of those who are despised by men.

4) To every believer there probably is more than one angel that serves us by ascending and descending on the heavenly ladder (See John.1:51 Gen. 28:12) to deliver our prayer and God’s grace.

 

Matt. 18:11 “For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost.

   YLT: “for the Son of Man did come to save the lost.”

   Literal Meaning: “that which was lost” means “the lost” in origin and this word indicates both the lost sinners (See Luke. 15:3-7) and the lost believers. Here it should be the latter according to the context. Therefore “that which was lost” does not indicate those who are on the way that leads to destruction but believers who fall in the world and sins.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Christ comes not to offend men or cause them to sin but to save men.

2) Christ is preserver of all man especially of those that believe (1Tim. 4:10).

 

Matt. 18:12 “What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying?

   YLT: “`What think ye? if a man may have an hundred sheep and there may go astray one of them doth he not having left the ninety-nine having gone on the mountains seek that which is gone astray?”

   The Background: “the one that is straying” Sheep are naturally stupid and clumsy and they are easy to go astray. Therefore they need to be shepherded and guided by shepherds.

   Spiritual Meaning: “if a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray” “A man” is the Lord Himself. He is a good shepherd and we are His sheep (John. 10:14).

  “Goes astray.” Christians go astray and get lost because they have turn to their own ways (Is. 53:6).

  “Go to the mountains to seek” indicates that the Lord makes nothing of hardships and earnestly seeks the lost sheep.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) The Lord not only saves us but also keeps us. He is unwilling to lose anyone that believers (See John. 10:28-29).

2) He keeps everyone that he has saved. The problem is that would you trust Him and entrust yourselves unto Him (See 2Tim. 1:12)?

 

Matt. 18:13 “And if he should find it assuredly I say to you he rejoices more over that sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray.

   YLT: “and if it may come to pass that he doth find it verily I say to you that he doth rejoice over it more than over the ninety-nine that have not gone astray;”

   Literal Meaning: the Lord here did not mean that He values that sheep more than the ninety-nine normal sheep. The Lord here depicted that He was especially satisfied (See Is. 53:11) with the sheep that was dead and is alive again it was lost and is found (See Luke. 15:24 32) when He saw of the travail of His soul.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) The plain sailing on the spiritual way may not be good. Many real spiritual lessons are learnt in “going astray” and then “being found”.

2) We should not only take care of the little sheep that seem to be normal but also consider the mind of the Lord and earnestly find the little sheep that go astray.

 

Matt. 18:14 “Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.

   YLT: “so it is not will in presence of your Father who is in the heavens that one of these little ones may perish.”

   Enlightenment in the Word: the eyes of God are upon His every child (seeking the one that is straying); the heart of God is deeply concerned about His every child (it is not the will of your Father that one of these little ones should perish). Therefore we should mind the heart of God (Pill. 1:8) and do not make any Saint get lose or offend any of them.

 

Matt. 18:15 “Moreover if your brother sins against you go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you you have gained your brother.

   YLT: “`And if thy brother may sin against thee go and show him his fault between thee and him alone if he may hear thee thou didst gain thy brother;”

   Literal Meaning: “your brother” indicates that he is also a believer.

  “Sin against you” is “commit a sin” in some old scriptures.

  “You have gained your brother” indicates that you have retrieved your brother from sins.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) It is of little thing that your brother has sinned against you. It is of great thing that the brother who has sinned against you does not know that he is wrong.

2) In order to make him beware of his wrongness not giving himself up to the error (Jude. 11) and gain your brother one has to point out his wrongness.

3) Pointing out one’s wrongness is not blame or accusation but hoping one to be converted.

4) We have to point to one’s wrongness in his presence and should not tell others one’s wrongness behind his back. We should not tell the words that we dare not to speak in the presence of your brother behind his back.

5) We should put ourselves in others’ position and be concerned about the other person. We should not let others know that he has sinned against us unless absolutely necessary.

6) Believers should do the “right” thing by the “right” attitude and way. If the attitude and method are wrong even someone does the “right” thing it would not receive the “right” effect.

 

Matt. 18:16 “But if he will not hear take with you one or two more that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’”

   YLT: “and if he may not hear take with thee yet one or two that by the mouth of two witnesses or three every word may stand.”

   Meaning of Words: “be established”: stand set up count.

   Literal Meaning: “by the mouth of two or three witnesses” “Two or three” is the principle to bear witness (See Deut. 19:15).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) One’s own strength is not enough to retrieve a brother. Then one should make him know that he is wrong by the mouth of two or three witnesses.

2) “Every word may be established” shows that the words of the witnesses must be profound. It shows that when we find someone to help others to be converted we should choose the saints who are spiritually progressive.

 

Matt. 18:17 “And if he refuses to hear them tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.

   YLT: “`And if he may not hear them say [it] to the assembly and if also the assembly he may not hear let him be to thee as the heathen man and the tax-gatherer.”

   Literal Meaning: “tell it to the church” shows that the church is able to hear. Therefore it is not the abstractive universal church or the building of the church. It is the assembly of believers in some local place i.e. local church.

  “But if he refuses even to hear the church let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.” “Heathen”: gentile; “a tax collector” was usually despised by the Jews and was treated equally as a sinner (See Matt. 11:19). “Let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector” means to have no company with him. However he may not be cast out of the church. Whether he will be excommunicated by the church is determined by whether the sin he has committed corresponds to the principle of excommunication (See 1Cor. 5:11-13). If his will is only too strong to summit to the church the church should treat him indifferently and should not excommunicate him.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) The church is the last chance for retrieval when something (esp. sin) has happened among believers. If the strength of the whole could not help the brother who had committed sin he must have fallen and are completely of flesh. Under this condition we should not have company with him that on one hand he may be ashamed of himself (2Thess. 3:14) on the other the testimony of the church may not suffer loss.

2) It is a great matter to make someone lose the fellowship in the assembly. Therefore those who have the lordship should handle with care and try their best to make peace. They shouldn’t exercise this authority unless they have to.

3) Those who lack “the spirit of retrieving brothers” are unworthy to talk about excommunicating brothers.

 

Matt. 18:18‘Assuredly I say to you whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

   YLT: “`Verily I say to you Whatever things ye may bind upon the earth shall be having been bound in the heavens and whatever things ye may loose on the earth shall be having been loosed in the heavens.”

   Meaning of Words: “Bind”: impose sanction against declare to forbid (legal terms); “loose”: release the punishment declare to permit (legal terms).

   Literal Meaning: In this verse “bind” means “condemn” and “loose” means “forgive”. “They” here means “the church” in v.17.

   Enlightenment in the Word: When the state of the church is normal her any move on earth is in perfect harmony with the movement in heaven. The Lord also does the things that the church does on earth. Whose sins the church remits or condemns the Lord has remitted and condemned in heaven (John. 20:23).

 

Matt. 18:19Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask it will be done for them by My Father in heaven.

   YLT: “`Again I say to you that if two of you may agree on the earth concerning anything whatever they may ask it shall be done to them from my Father who is in the heavens ”

   Meaning of Words: “agree”: harmonious accord correspondence. 

   Literal Meaning: “two of you” Here “two” does not mean the church but two “of you” (of the church).

  “Agree” in original means that the prayer and supplication of two are like harmonious music.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) If two agree concerning anything that they ask God will do. It shows that God values the prayer of the body more than individual prayer.

2) If we want to have the harmonious prayer of two like concertos those who pray must like a member of a band first tune up the instruments and concentrate on the conductor in order that the speed and tone of the music that they are playing or performing would be harmonious------if we want to pray harmoniously we have to lay down our own opinions and seek the will of Father in heaven together and ask by the will of Father.

3) If two or three believers pray on earth we have to open our hearts towards God and let God reveal His words in our hearts so that His will may become our will. In this way you shall ask what you will and it shall be done unto you (See John. 15:7).

4) Only when we agree the earth and the heaven will be harmonious and God will reign on earth just as He does in heaven (See Matt. 6:10).

 

Matt. 18:20 “For where two or three are gathered together in My name I am there in the midst of them.’”

   YLT: “for where there are two or three gathered together to my name there am I in the midst of them.’”

   Literal Meaning: “two or three are gathered together in My name.” Here “two or three” is not the whole church but a part of believers in the church; “are gathered together in My name” means that their gathering is not originated by themselves. They are moved by the Holy Spirit and lay down their individual opinions and standpoints denying natural “selves” and they purely belong to and unite in the name of the Lord.

  “I am there in the midst of them.” Here it stresses on the Lord’s presence. Two or three are enough if it is with His presence. A thousand or ten thousand are not enough if it is without His presence.

  From v.15 to v.20 we could see that the principle of two or three is the principle of the church. As long as two or three agree and are gathered in the name of the Lord they are able to represent the church to execute the heavenly power their testimony is the testimony of the church and their conclusion is the conclusion of the church and God Himself confirms and facilitates what they have said. However “agree” and “are gathered in the name of the Lord” must not be the outward form and it is effective only when they have spiritual reality.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Two or three are gathered together in His name the Lord is there. It shows that believers receive grace more obviously in the gathering than by oneself.

2) In the normal gathering the Lord has to manifest Himself and guides enlightens and reveals us by His presence.

3) The Lord’s presence is the most precious. The Lord’s presence is the foundation of the spiritual power of the church.

 

Matt. 18:21 “Then Peter came to Him and said Lord how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?’”

   YLT: “Then Peter having come near to him said `Sir how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him till seven times?’”

   The Background: according to traditional saying of Jewish rabbis the highest time that one can forgive brother is up to four times.

   Literal Meaning: “how often shall I forgive him?” “Forgive” in original means “leave” and “let alone” and it means that one has forgot that he has been sinned against. If someone forgives others and still remembers the “times” that he has been sinned against it shows that he has not forgotten the times that he has been sinned against. Therefore it cannot be counted as forgiveness.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) God has forgiven our sins and our sins and our lawlessnesses God will never remember any more (See Heb. 8:12 10:17). When we forgive others we should never remember their sins.

2) When we have been sinned against by others on one hand we should give consideration to them and hope them to be corrected on the other we should not have resentment grievance and hurt in our hearts.

 

Matt. 18:22 “Jesus said to him I do not say to you up to seven times but up to seventy times seven.

   YLT: “Jesus saith to him `I do not say to thee till seven times but till seventy times seven.”

   Spiritual Meaning: “seven” is a number of perfectness however it still can be counted i.e. with limitation. “Seventy times seven” means that we should forgive others countless times and completely i.e. without limitation.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) The one who truly forgives others does not remember the times that he has been sinned against by his brother at all because he has forgotten the matter that he has been sinned against.

2) Men’s forgiveness is limited and its most is seven times. The Lord’s forgiveness is unlimited and it reaches seventy times seven. Therefore we forgive each other by the forgiveness in the Lord instead of by men’s forgiveness.

 

Matt. 18:23 “Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants.

   YLT: “`Because of this was the reign of the heavens likened to a man a king who did will to take reckoning with his servants ”

   Spiritual Meaning: “the king” is the Lord; “his servants” are believers; “settle accounts” indicates that the Holy Spirit works in men’s hearts and let them know how much they owe the Lord.

 

Matt. 18:24 “And when he had begun to settle accounts one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents.

   YLT: “and he having begun to take account there was brought near to him one debtor of a myriad of talents ”

   The Background: “ten thousand talents” “talent” is the highest weigh unit at that time. A talent amounts to six thousand Roman denarius and therefore the total value he owes is sixty million denarius. At that time the general salary is one denarius per day i.e. a denarius (See Matt. 20.2).

   Literal Meaning: “ten thousand talents” shows that the amount he owes is too large for him to pay back.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) “Who owed him ten thousand talents” actually are believers. What we sin against and owe the Lord is uncountable.

2) Those who do not know that how greatly he owes the Lord must lack thankfulness.

 

Matt. 18:25 “But as he was not able to pay his master commanded that he be sold with his wife and children and all that he had and that payment be made.

   YLT: “and he having nothing to pay his lord did command him to be sold and his wife and the children and all whatever he had and payment to be made.”

   Literal Meaning: the Lord did not truly want us to sell our wives and children to pay back. The Lord here showed us that even if we have sold out all we have we are still unable to repay what we owe the Lord.

   Enlightenment in the Word: the Lord will do the work of deprivation on those who have received grace till our natural oldness is dealt with completely.

 

Matt. 18:26 “The servant therefore fell down before him saying Master have patience with me and I will pay you all.'

   YLT: “The servant then having fallen down was bowing to him saying Sir have patience with me and I will pay thee all;”

   Spiritual Meaning: please note that it points out four kinds of attitudes that true believers should have: 1) “fell down”------repent; 2) “fell down before him”------abase himself; 3) “master have patience with me”------ask for the Lord’s grace; 4) “I will pay you all”------make a vow to dedicate.

   Enlightenment in the Word: though we are unable to “pay the Lord all” as long as we are willing to repent humbly (“fell down before him”) ask for His forgiveness (“master have patience with me”) with a willing heart (“I will pay you all”) we will be acceptable to God (See 2Cor. 8:12).

 

Matt. 18:27 “Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion released him and forgave him the debt.

   YLT: “and the lord of that servant having been moved with compassion did release him and the debt he forgave him.”

   Meaning of Words: “was moved with compassion”: have compassion; “debt”: loan liability.

   Enlightenment in the Word: the Lord is always merciful towards us and He likes us to ask for His grace. Every one that asks receives (Matt. 7:8) and He is able to do far exceedingly above all which we ask or think (Eph. 3:20).

 

Matt. 18:28But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat saying Pay me what you owe!'

  YLT: “`And that servant having come forth found one of his fellow-servants who was owing him an hundred denaries and having laid hold he took him by the throat saying Pay me that which thou owest.”

   Literal Meaning: when “a hundred denarii” is compared with “sixty million denarii” (See the note in v.24) that he owes the Lord the difference is six hundred thousand times instead of a million times in Chinese and the Chinese union Bible.

  “He laid hands on him and took him by the throat.” “Laid hands on him” indicates that he did not let him go; “by the throat” indicates that he treated his servant with brutal attitude and did not give him a chance to state the reason.

   Spiritual Meaning: “fellow servants” are believers partakers of the heavenly calling; “a hundred denarii” is what believers owe each other. If compared with what we owe the Lord (ten thousand talents) it is really too slight.

 

Matt. 18:29 “So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him saying Have patience with me and I will pay you all.'

   YLT: “His fellow-servant then having fallen down at his feet was calling on him saying Have patience with me and I will pay thee all;”

   Literal Meaning: please note that his fellow servant’s request is the same with his own request to the Lord in v.26.

 

Matt. 18:30 “And he would not but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt.

   YLT: “and he would not but having gone away he cast him into prison till he might pay that which was owing.”

   Spiritual Meaning: “threw him into prison” means that he dealt with others’ debt on “the principle of righteousness” and did not want to forgive others on “the principle of grace”.

   Enlightenment in the Word: his answer to his fellow servant is totally different from the Lord’s attitude towards him. It shows that the works and deeds of natural men are totally different from that of the Lord. We like to treat ourselves with grace and treat others with righteousness. The Lord asks us to treat ourselves with righteousness and treat others with grace.

 

Matt. 18:31 “So when his fellow servants saw what had been done they were very grieved and came and told their master all that had been done.

   YLT: “`And his fellow-servants having seen the things that were done were grieved exceedingly and having come shewed fully to their lord all the things that were done;”

   Spiritual Meaning: this is the supplication of the saints and their supplication comes up before God.

   Enlightenment in the Word: if we owe brother saints who are members of the body will fell grieved because whether one member suffer all the members suffer with it (1Cor. 12:26).

 

Matt. 18:32 “Then his master after he had called him said to him You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me.

   YLT: “then having called him his lord saith to him Evil servant! all that debt I did forgive thee seeing thou didst call upon me ”

 

Matt. 18:33 “Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant just as I had pity on you?'

   YLT: “did it not behove also thee to have dealt kindly with thy fellow-servant as I also dealt kindly with thee?”

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Since the large debt of the wicked servant that he is unable to repay has been forgiven by the Lord he should forgive his fellow servant who owes him a little. In the same way believers who have been forgiven by heavenly Father for their monstrous sins should forgive brother who has sinned against them large-mindedly.

2) Since the Lord has treated us with grace we should also treat others with grace. If we forget the grace that we have received from the Lord we will easily become unsympathetic ones.

 

Matt. 18:34 “And his master was angry and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him.

   YLT: “`And having been wroth his lord delivered him to the inquisitors till he might pay all that was owing to him;”

   Literal Meaning: this verse means that it is handled according to the Law.

   Enlightenment in the Word: If we treat others on the principle of righteousness the Lord will treat us on the principle of righteousness until we have fulfilled the request of righteousness (“until he should pay all that was due to him”). Actually we are unable to pay all that is due to us forever. If we do not repent fervently while we are alive today we will never be remitted by God from His punishments (“delivered him to the torturers”).

 

Matt. 18:35So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you from his heart does not forgive his brother his trespasses.’”

   YLT: “so also my heavenly Father will do to you if ye may not forgive each one his brother from your hearts their trespasses.’”

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) The best way for us to receive God’s forgiveness is to forgive others.

2) Those who are unwilling to forgive others do not know their own iniquity. Anyone who truly knows that his iniquity in light will forgive his brother from his heart.

3) “From his heart” shows that our forgiveness is not oral or apparent but earnest and sincere. Once one has forgiven his brother from his heart he will never remember the previous iniquity of his brother. Anyone who still remembers the iniquity of his brother in his heart has not forgiven his brother from his heart i.e. he has not “paid all that is due to him” in v.34. Therefore unavoidably he will be punished by the heavenly Father.

4) Anyone who is able to forgive others from his heart is “great” in the kingdom of heaven.

 

III. Outlines of the Spiritual Lessons

 

The Interpersonal Relationship among the Citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven

I. The principle for citizens of the kingdom of heaven to treat others:

   A. Receive one little child like this (v.1-5).

   B. Do not cause one of these little ones who that believe the Lord to sin (v.6-9).

   C. Do not despise one of these little ones (v.10).

   D. Do not cause one of these little ones to get lost (v.11-14).

II. The reaction citizens of the kingdom of heaven should have when being sinned against by others:

   A. One should try his best to retrieve his brother:

      1. Go and tell him his fault privately (v.15).

      2. If he would not hear take with you one or two witnesses (v.16).

      3. If he refuses to hear them tell it to the church (v.17a).

      4. The conclusion of the church is the conclusion in heaven (v.17b-18).

      5. Two or three agree to pray or are gathered in the name of the Lord the Lord confirms them and is in the midst of them (v.19-20).

   B. One should forgive his brother from his heart:

      1. Forgive others up to seventy times seven (v.21-22) ------without limitation.

      2. Know that how much we owe the Lord and He has forgiven us (v.23-27).

      3. However we treat others without any compassion and are unwilling to forgive others (v.28-30).

      4. Those who do not treat others with compassion will be treated in the same way by God (v.31-35).

 

The Qualifications of the Citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven

I. Be as humble as children (v.1-4).

II. Do not offend others and try his best to remove the reasons that may offend others (v.5-9).

III. Do not despise one of these little ones (v.9-14).

IV. Gain his brother and live a normal life of church (v.15-20).

V. Forgive his brother from his heart (v.21-35).

 

The Reason to Offend Men

I. Be conceited and arrogant (v.1-6).

II. The incautious works (hand) actions (foot) and opinions (eyes) (v.7-14).

III. One hasn’t tried his best to retrieve his brother after he has been sinned against (v.15-20).

IV. One has not forgiven his brother from his heart (v.21-35).

 

── Caleb HuangChristian Digest Bible Commentary Series

   Translated by Sharon Ren