Monday, May 21, 2007

NEW TESTAMENT HEMENUTICS

SERMON ON THE MOUNT: THE DANGER OF BEING JUDGEMENTAL
MATTHEW CHAPTER 7:1-6.
PETER QEKO JERE: BA, B.A (Th) HON. M.T h


(I). INTRODUCTION.

Chapter 7 of the book of Matthew continues and concludes Jesus’ sermon on the mountain. Actually the focus in this chapter is on our right relationship toward God and man. It’s important for children in the kingdom of God to have that right relationship with God and fellow men. But Christ commands children in the kingdom to demonstrate love on fellow kingdom mate before the love is extended to God the Kingdom Master. In this chapter we have a number of key issues that Christ is addressing. He addresses the consequences of being judgmental (attitude) (verse 1-6), prayer (V7-13), dangers of false prophets (v 15-20), obedience (21-27) and the effects of the sermon in people’s lives (28-29)
(Matthew Henry 1996:70).

In the context understudy (7:1-6), we have some few very important issues that Jesus Christ is addressing as follows; believer’s judgemental attitude (v 1-2), hypocrisy (v 3-5) and the dogs and swine issue (v6). In this study, we shall see the true biblical interpretation of the word judgement as used in this context. We shall see whether we have the liberty to judge or not. We shall again look into what the text mean when it address word like (mote v. 3); beam (v3) and hypocrisy (5). We shall look into the true biblical interpretation of Verse 6 (Dogs and Swine, Pearl, Sacred things). We shall finally see how this area of study can be applied to our modern day Christian life

(II). THE CONTEXTUAL MEANING OF “JUDGE NOT”, verse 1-2.

“Judge not”, V 1a

Many people tend to misunderstand this verse and have misused it. This has led to people compromising and leaving those in sin unrebuked. This has been a cover up as many people have literally used the verse to escape spiritual reconstruction and rebuilding process. In this context, many scholars understand the word “judge not,” differently.According to Samuel Clark, this phrase, “judge not” is one of the most important and excellent exhortation in the whole of the sermon on the mountain. He says that this phase is against rash, harsh uncharitable judgement and thing of Evil (1831:98). But Charles Elliot says that this “judge not” was applicable to the Jews who judged the gentiles as inferior people before them and before God (40). George Buttrick says that we cannot help it but to always judge because life is about judgement be it Christian or no Christian, politician or non-politician and national or international. He further says that not all judgement is bad but censorious and condemnation (1939:234). John Stott on the same issue, says that this phrase “judge not” is not against the magistrates or judges because according to Roman 13, their offices are ordained by God Himself. He says that we all judge others and to fail to judge will be to be hypocritical to our own nature because God create us to make value-judgement (1995:175).

He further says that in the whole sermon on the mount, Jesus Christ was promoting the critical power, to have our righteousness exceed that of the Pharisee and he urges that we cannot obey the sermon teaching unless we all evaluate and develop critical mind on the issues and see that our position is better, higher than others (1995:175)(a).. But Carson interpretation of this verse is more clear and he says that the word judge not means to discern, to judge judicially, to be judgemental, to condemn (judicially and otherwise). He further states that the word in the context means not to be judgemental and not to have critical mind with condemning attitude (1994:108). Thus Carson’s view agrees with Loud Jones who says that no one is not excused to judge (1962:175).

With this we see that the phrase judge not literally does not put a stop to the judicial process but it discourages the spirit of being judgemental with bad attitudes. This is the spirit that doesn’t build but destroys. Both The motive and attitude is bad and negative1. Since the whole process of being judgemental is based on the attitude we need to know that this attitude has to be positive. As the context is against the judgemental spirit full of negative attitude, we now understand why several biblical texts encourages Christians to always judge positively even as we are told to judge or discern spirit operation2


(III). WHY CHRISTIAN SHOULD NOT JUDGE.

“Judge not that ye be not judged. For with what judgement ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.kjv
In these verses (1-2), we have the two main reasons why Christians are not encouraged to judge. We should bear in mind that by “to judge” we mean the judgemental negative attitude that is there to destroy and kill as earlier said. The two main reasons that Christ gave were as follows:
(a). That we may not be judged
(b). Because the same measure we use on others, others will use when judging us. But for us to understand this lets see the main reasons in detail as follows:
(a). That ye be not judged (Verse 1b) KJV

The lord Jesus Christ told the disciple on the mountain not to judge so that they too may not be judged. This was the heart of mercy, as Jesus didn’t want his disciples to fall into this ditch of being judged by others. We need to understand that Christ didn’t want his disciples to be judgemental, critical and negative towards others. Thus Christ said, judge not that you be not judged or could be judge not so that others may not judge you. Joseph Parker say that we do more that merely words when we pass judgement on fellow men because when we judge we sour seeds that will one day reap in form of fruits (P.235). This too reminds us of the golden rule that says that do to others what you may want others do to you (Mt 7:12).

Thus if we judge others, they will one day judge us and to avoid this we have to do to others what we want others to do to us3. Charles Elliot says that we should not judge without remembering our sins, that we judge only the offence and not the offender and judge no man unless its our duty to do so (40). This explains that God hate sin and not a person because even Christ came to destroy the power of sin. So in the whole explanation of Verse 1b, we see that the meaning behind Jesus statement was not the literal interpretation of “Judge not” meaning that we should not say anything or build in a form of criticizing, but he meant to tell his disciples not to have judgmental mind or negative attitude to condemn.

(b). Same Measure (Verse 1b)

What measure ye mete it shall be measured to you again 1b

Here we have the second factor that explains why Jesus discouraged people in the kingdom to be judgmental. He says that with what judgment we judge, we shall be judged and also with what measure we use, it shall be used on us (Verse 2). This factor explains the consequences that will follow the judgmental attitude on others. Jesus says that the same measure you use on others will return and be used on us, should we be involved in judging others4. Thus we have the same measure concept. George Buttricks says that life gives back what we pour into it (if we pour poison in life, life will produce poison and if we pour good in life, life will produce good)(1939:324). He furthers say that revenge breeds’ revenge, condemnation produce condemnation and censors bring censors and love produces love (1939:324)5.

So we see the rule of retaliation and equal proportion in the dealing of God in His just judgement6. But the one outstanding issue is the judgmental attitude. By now we should know that we are dealing with judgmental attitude (negative) toward others. We should know that we are to judge only on the condition that our attitudes are positive and should be aimed at building up and bringing the soul to the kingdom of God and not the negative critical condemnatory mind that has the passion to destroy and kill. Carson says that the meaning of the whole of this verse promotes the abolishment of judgmental attitude because if we are judgmental towards others, others too will be judgmental towards us7.

Therefore Christians are encouraged to exercise positive judgment, full of the heart to build up and love to those who are going astray 8 In additional, Kingdom Children are encouraged to forgive others if they want God to forgive them (Matthew 6:14-16). This forgiveness is based on the golden rule concept, which shows the relationship and oneness in flow of the whole sermon of the mountain9.

(IV). HYPOCRISY ( VERSE 3-4)

Verses 3-4 of Chapter 7 explain the activities that take place in the kingdom of God. It shows what children in the kingdom many times do. These activities demonstrate the negative attitude that children of God in the kingdom have on others. This was hypocrisy. Jesus Christ in this context rebuked this negative attitude (judgemental mind)10.

Thus Jesus said why do you look at the speck (NIV) or mote (kjv) in your brother’s eyes and pay no attention to the plank (NIV) or beam (KJV) in your own eyes (Verse 3-4). This is one of the most important are where Christians tend to fall. This is because the whole process has something to do with the attitude. Hypocrisy is the attitude problem when one pretends to be what he is not. Christians pinpoint others sins as if they themselves are sinless. Many are the times again when Christians concentrate in pointing out wickedness in other people’s lives while they themselves are victim of the same sins11.According to Frederick mote is a small piece of straw or splinter of wood while the beam is a large plank (1929:967). As regard the beam, Frederick says that this can be conspicuous moral faults or even small moral faults that make it hard for Christians to arrive at the true knowledge of others (1929:967).

Now if the mote mean small splinter in ones life and the beams means small or big moral faults then we are able to see the hypocritical mind of people as they spend more time sorting out problems in other people’s lives while they themselves are in darkness. Thus Christianity in the modern Age is full of Hypocrisy because people tend to show what they are not inside their hearts and that’s why Christ said, “the people praised him with the voice and not with their hearts. All in all we see the marvellous connection and relationship in all the verses Matthew 7:1-4 that in verses 1-2, Christ discouraged the judgemental attitude and the critical mind and tells the disciples about the consequences of being judgemental while in verses 3-4, Christ reveals that in the course of being judgemental, the probability of one to be hypocrical is very high because the focus is on others sinful life.

(V). CHRISTIAN MUST BE A BROTHER (VERSE 5)

…Cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shall thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of they brother’s eye. Kjv

While in Verses 3-4 Christians are busy cutting their fellow brothers into pieces as they condemn them without considering Roman 3:2313 and without considering again that Christ said “judge not” that you may not be judged (Verse 5), we have the characteristics of the true Christian brother in Verse 5, he that take the plank (beam of wood) out of his eye.14 Now Christ indicates that children in the kingdom need to remove the beam of wood from their eyes so that they are able to see the mote (splinter) in the brother’s eye. This means one has to remove the problem in his eye so that he is in a position to see exisisting problems in somebody’s eye. How can somebody see if his eyes are affected with a disease? Only if the problems is solved that one is able to take up the courage to help the other. That is why Jesus said, that a blind man can not lead a fellow blind man, they will all fall in the ditch (Matthew 15:4))

With this the underlined principle according to Jesus is first take the plank out of your eyes before you help your brother15, you need to solve and clear all similar problems you have. You need to put things straight with God. You need to repent all sins before you provide a hand on somebody. When all these are done, you become qualified to live as a good brother in the Lord.

(VI). GUIDING THE HOLY FROM PROFANITY (VERSE 6).

Give not that which is sacred unto dogs neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet and turn again and rend you.

This is a very important verse in the world of Evangelism and it’s a controversial verse as far the kind of people we have to reach with the gospel is concern. Sykes says that we need to use wisdom to tell the difference between believers and non-believers and also what to share and whom to share (1981: 40).

John Ryle says that this verse (6), teaches us the importance of exercising discretion as to the persons with whom we speak on the subject of religion (1974:63). He further says that it is not everybody to whom it is wise to open our mind on spiritual matters (1974: 63). This is because everything is beautiful beautiful in its place and season and our zeal is to be tempered by a prudent consideration of times place and person (John Ryle 1974:63).


(a). From Dogs and Swine
Do not give dogs what is sacred… do not thraw your pearl before swine (pigs).
In this text understudy we have the word “do not “ appearing three times (do not judge v1); (do not give, v6) and (do not throw v 6b). These are not the new laws that Christ is putting forward but they are the directive steps and procedures that Christ is creating for effective ministry. Jesus said do not give dogs what is sacred (v 6) and do not throw your pearls to swine or pigs. Dogs and swine in Israel represented the form of evil (Charles Elliot: 40).
Allen Willoughby say that they (pig and dogs), symbolises alien and heathen men (1957:66). But John Stott categorise dogs into three; pariah dogs, vagabonds and mongrels. He says that this does not affect the kind of dogs people keep in the homes but vagabonds dogs. He also says that all pigs were unclean animals to the Jewish people (1994:179). With this Albert Barnes say that dogs meant men who opposed and abused the truth of God’s word while swine meant men of impurity of life, those who were polluted, profaned and those men who would not know the value of the gospel (1949:77). Sacred things according to Charles Elliot were holy things that had been offered for sacrifice (Lev 22:6,7, 10)(P: 40).18

Language
When we look into the language Jesus is using in this verse, skyes says that it’s not a very nice one to use for people mainly that we are images of God (1984:40). Of course John stott says that Jesus called a spade a spade as he called the following people with strong language; Herod Antipas” that Fox” Lk 13; 32: Pharisee, “whitewashed tomb” Matthew 23:27; Pharisee, “Brooks of Viper,” (Matthew 23:33). Now he calls the nonbelievers and other abusive people, “Dogs and Swine”(Matthew 7:6).

Jesus said do not give sacred food to dogs, which to a Jewish community sounded very well because Jews respected holy food and to give that holy flesh to dogs would be the greatest of all the profanation (Charles Elliot: 41). Since dogs were men who opposed and abused the truth while sacred meant holy things then this verse meant that children of the kingdom were not allowed to give the holy truth of God words to people who would abuse and oppose it. These were those who ran away from the lord. (Sykes 1984:40) and we need to give them nothings even sacred food. This them mean to say that we should not offer any truth to these violent and abusive men (Albert Barnes 1949:77). Carson says that the verse is commanding disciples not to share the riches part of spiritual truth (pearls) to vicious, irresponsible and unappreciative men (1994:117)16. With this stott concludes that if people had plenty of opportunities to hear the gospel but do not respond to it, if they stubbornly turn their back or (Cast themselves in the role of dogs and pigs, we are not to goon with them for them he says we cheapen the gospel (1995:182). But Plummer has this to say,” the gospel has no limit and it has to be preached to all but not to all in the same time or in the same way (1928:112).
Plummer ‘s stand on this issue of Verse 6 is good unlike the other scholars view who create their demarcation or boundaries of preaching the gospel for the gospel has to be preached to all people of all nations in season and out of season. While verse 6 says that we give no holy food to abusive and vicious people, we should also know that the great commission is to all mankind and there is no demarcation and limitation of whatsoever nature unless we sure that the people are rebels of the kingdom of God. But our job is to preach the Gospel to all without any compromise. Jesus came to redeem even the vicious and abusive men so that they are part of the kingdom of God. Jesus came not for those who call themselves saints but for sinners so that they repent and be born again. I like Carson’s stand as he says that the solution to this is for Christians to have a balance approach to the issue and that this study has to be done in a larger context of Jesus life17

CONCLUSION
In conclusion there are three observations made from the study of this text. Firstly, as a fallen being, man’s attitude is mainly judgemental toward other and the only solution is to declare the power of the Gospel and to make it a reality in people’s lives. Its only this power that is able to set people free from any form of bondage. Secondly, it is bad for Christians to act as spies of smaller faults in other people’s lives while they themselves are in even bigger horrible sin. Thirdly according to Matthew Poole, he says that its notorious impudence to pretend to censure and judge others for sin in which we live ourselves and he emphatically say again that Charity in every situation, needs to begin at home (1959:31). Its only if we will sort our things with God that we will be a great blessing to those around us. Christianity is not listen to the gospel only but doing the word. Also its only if our attitude shall be right and positive toward others that we shall be free from any judgemental attacks from people. Christians therefore are encouraged to be redeemed from this bondage of being judgemental.

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Allen w. 1957, International Critical commentary (Gospel According Matthew, T&T Clark, Edinburgh UK

Barnes A: 1949, notes on the New Testament Explanatory & Practical, Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA

Bengal J: 1857, Cnomon of the New Testament, Murray & Cubss Printer Edinburgh, UK

Buttrick G: 1939, Interpreters Bible, Abingdon Press, New York, USA

Carson DA: 1994,Sermon on the Mountain, paternoster Press, Carlisie,

Clark S: 1831,Introduction to the Four Gospels, (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, London, UK

Davidson F: 1959, The New Bible Commentary, Inter-Varsity Fellowship London, UK.

Elliot C, Bible Commentary for Bible Students, Marshall Brothers ltd London, & Edinburgh, UK

Frederick E: 1929, Abingdon Bible Commentary, Abingdon Press, New York, Nashville, USA.

Henry M: 1996,Matthew Henry Commentary on the whole Bible, Vol 5Hendrickson Publisher, USA.

Jones L: 1962, Studies on the Sermon on the mountain, Inter-Varsity Press Fellowship, London.

John T: 1868, Commentary on the Old and New Testament (Vol V.)Richard Dickson Farringdon, London

Parker J, The peoples Bible, Discourse upon Holy Scripture, Hazel Watson ltd, London.

Plummer A: 1928, An Exegetical Commentary on the gospel of Matthew Robert Scott House, London.
Poole M: 1969, Commentary on the Holy Bible Vol 1.Bunner of Trust, London.

Ryle DD: 1974, Expository Thought on the Gospel (Matthew), James Clark Co, Ltd Cambridge, UK

Stott J: 1995, the message of the sermon on the mountain, Inter-Varsity Press London

Sykes RH: 1984,Matthew Presenting Jesus The King, Everyday Publication Scarborough, Canada.

(a).John Stott says that Jesus meant judgement in terms of censorious and he says to be censorious is to claim the competence and authority of judge. The censorious mind is the destructive mind the fault finding one (1995:176)
1 Roman 14:4, Paul says why do you judge brother?
2 I John 4:1 we are encouraged to judge and test the spirit and see whether they are from God or Satan.
3 This concept agrees with the rule of love your neighbour, as you love yourself. In the same context, Parker says that we shall give an account of every word we say and we shall be made to feel the bitterness of our own judgemental attitude on others (P.238)
Also Check Jeremiah 17:9(The heart is deceitful beyond cure and who can understand it)
4 Preachers outline call this, law of equal retribution, equal reciprocal action, equal weight, equal proportion, equal retaliation.
Joseph Parker says that Jesus was warning his disciples as regard the consequences and issues of certain condition of spirit so that no man goes forward in those matters ignorant of what the result will be (P.235)
5 Henry Matthews says that the judging of those that judge others is according to the law of retaliation (with the same measure). H further says that the righteous God in His judgement often observes a rule of proportional in the case of Adonibezek (Judges 1:7;Rev 13:10 he that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity, he that killedth with the sward must be killed with a sword; Rev 18; 6 Reward her even as she rewarded you and double into her according to her works(1996:71)
6 But the one out standing issue is the judgemental attitude that Jesus was condemning here.
7 Matthew 7:12 the golden rules conduct. But Carson says that this verse does not mean that we must not speak against sin as Christians we have the duty to rebuke sin using the word of God (1994:111)
8Matthew 7:12 Kingdom Children are not allowed to have the judgemental attitude but they are encouraged to follow the golden rule (do to others what you want others do to you)
-Matthew 5:7Kingdom children are expected to have mercy and shoe mercy because blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy.
9In regard to sermon relationship, Frederick Eiselen says that we have the absolute concept of relationship and oneness in the sermon on the mountain. But the one important thing abut this is that as we exercise our judgemental mind we must know and even remember that we shall one day appear before the Holy tribunal of God (1929:967)
10 Charles Elliot defines hypocrisy as the art exercised by someone who as a teacher and reformer while he himself need to repent and need to be reformed (Clark S: 40)
-Clark says that a hypocrite is someone who professes to be what he is not (1831:99)
11. Rom 3:10;
I Cor 11:28;
II Cor 13:5.
13 I John 1:8
I John 5:19
Proverbs 20:9.
14 Frederick says that planks are conspicuous moral faults (1929:967).
15 John Stott says that we have a fatal tendency to exaggerate the faults of others and minimize the gravity or our own. He says also that our duty is not to see specks in others eyes or life while we have similar specks in our own eyes. But our duty is to take specks from our own eyes, which explains that we need to clear and sort our things in our own life before we actually go about helping others (1995:179).
18 Albert Barnes calls such sacred things flesh sacrifices .He defines pearls precious stones which he say they mean gospel

16 This is the situation where Paul encourages Titus to leave vicious men alone (Titus 3:10).
Paul abandoned the ministry because of such men and opposition (Act 18:15).
John Stott: States that the whole of Verse 6 means non-believer whole heart and nature has never been renewed while dogs and pigs were the non-believer whole heard the gospel and had opportunity to hear and receive the gospel but rejected it (1995:182).
17 Luke 9:51 Jesus was patient
Luke 19:4 Jesus wept over people

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