Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

Matthew 10:28-31

New antidote to fear drawn from a greater fear, and from the paternal providence of God. φοβήθητε ἀπὸ like the Hebrew יָרֵא מִן, but also one of several ways in which the Greeks connected this verb with its object. τὸ σῶμα : that is all the persecutor as such can injure or destroy He not only cannot injure the soul, but the more he assails the physical side the safer the spiritual. τὸν δυνάμενον καὶ ψ. καὶ σ. Who is that? God, say most commentators. Not so, I believe. Would Christ present God under this aspect in such close connection with the Father who cares even for the sparrows? What is to be greatly feared is not the final condemnation, but that which leads to it temptation to forsake the cause of God out of regard to self-interest or self-preservation. Shortly the counsel is: fear not the persecutor, but the tempter, not the man who kills you for your fidelity, but the man who wants to buy you off, and the devil whose agent he is.

Continues after advertising

BibliaPlus

Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

Matthew 10:28-31

Old Testament

New Testament