_Judge not_ Our Lord now proceeds to warn us against the chief hinderances of holiness. And how wisely does he begin with _judging!_ Wherein all young converts are so apt to spend that zeal which is given them for better purposes. He must be understood as forbidding all rash and unfavourable judgmen... [ Continue Reading ]
_And why beholdest thou the mote_, &c. In particular, why do you open your eyes to any fault of your brother, while you yourself are guilty of a much greater? The word καρφος, here rendered _mote_, according to Hesychius, may signify a little splinter of wood. This, and the _beam_, its opposite, wer... [ Continue Reading ]
_Give not_, &c. Even when the beam is cast out of thine own eye. _Give not that which is holy unto dogs_ That is, talk not of the _deep things of God_ to those whom _you know_ to be wallowing in sin; neither declare the _great things_ God hath done for your soul, to the profane, furious, persecuting... [ Continue Reading ]
_Ask_, &c. The exhortation contained in these verses may be considered as connected with the caution given in those immediately preceding, and then the sense of it will be, If you be at a loss to know who are and who are not proper subjects of reproof or admonition; or to whom you may with propriety... [ Continue Reading ]
_Therefore all things_, &c. As if he had said, But it is only on this condition that he will give, and continue to give them, viz., that ye follow the example of his equity and benevolence, that you imitate the God of love; that, being “animated by his goodness, you study to express your gratitude f... [ Continue Reading ]
_Enter ye in at the strait gate_ The gate of true conversion, of self-denial, mortification, and universal holiness; the gate in at which few, comparatively speaking, are inclined to enter. “How strait,” says Erasmus, in his paraphrase on the place, “is the gate, how narrow the way that leadeth to l... [ Continue Reading ]
_Beware of false prophets_ Who in their preaching describe a broad way to heaven: it is their _prophesying_, their _teaching_ the broad way, rather than _walking_ in it themselves, that is _here_ chiefly spoken of. All those are _false prophets_ who teach any other way than that which our Lord hath... [ Continue Reading ]
_Even so_ As grapes are not reaped from thorns, or figs from thistles, but the fruit will always be agreeable in its nature and kind to the tree that produces it; _so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit_ Scriptural doctrine, declared by holy men called of God to the work of the ministry, will... [ Continue Reading ]
_Not every one_, &c. The Lord Jesus, having declared the whole counsel of God, with regard to the way of salvation, and observed the chief hinderances of those who desire to walk therein, now closes the whole with these and the following weighty words; thereby, as it were, setting his seal to his pr... [ Continue Reading ]
_Many will say to me in that day_ Many, both preachers and hearers, both ministers and people, _Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name?_ Have we not declared the mysteries of thy kingdom; preached excellent sermons; written edifying books; explained and enforced the doctrines of thy word, ev... [ Continue Reading ]
_Therefore, whosoever heareth these sayings of mine_, &c. In these words our Lord attests, in the most solemn manner, the certain truth and infinite importance of all he had delivered in the foregoing sermon, and applies it to the consciences of his hearers. _Whosoever heareth these sayings of mine,... [ Continue Reading ]
_And the people were astonished at his doctrine_ Struck with wonder, having never heard such doctrine before, nor any doctrine on religious subjects, delivered with such solemnity and sweetness, or with such force and energy. Christ's words, it appears, made a wonderful impression on their minds. _F... [ Continue Reading ]