Matthew 5:13

IV. THE SALT OF THE EARTH.

13. Ye are the salt of the earth.

The disciples, those who are citizens of the kingdom, and who may be persecuted for Christ's sake. Salt preserves from corruption. The disciples of Christ preserve the world from general corruption. Whatever becomes utterly corrupted is doomed to be destroyed. The disciples, by leavening the world with righteous principles, prevent its destruction. Ten righteous men would have saved Sodom.. city or nation that becomes like. putrid carcass must perish.

But if the salt have lost its savour.

Salt is worthless if it has lost its qualities. It preserves no longer. It is fit only to be cast out and trodden under foot. So, too, if those who are the salt of the earth cease to communicate saving power they are fit only to be cast out, and Christ will cast such out of his mouth (see Revelation 3:16). Churches that have ceased to endure and to proclaim Christ's name have been rejected. The churches planted by the apostles in Asia are an example.