AncientPath.net - The Ancient Path, Matthew Chapter 7, Gaebelein

The Gospel of Matthew
CHAPTER 7:1-29
"Chapter Summary"

Arno C. Gaebelien: "Introduction to Matthew, Chapter 7" [1]
(Edited)


MATTHEW CHAPTER SEVEN
(Notes from Arno Gaebelein - Matthew - Moody Press)

The first few verses are warning against judging. The attention is called to the conduct of a disciple toward another disciple. The Lord does not forbid here the righteous judgment and condemnation of what is evil. We are told elsewhere to do this (1 Corinthians 12-13). The judgment of; motives is forbidden. These are known to god alone. Verse six (6) must be compared with 2 Peter 2:22. The dogs and the swine represent mere outward profession, who were never born again.

(Christendom has in fact done shamelessly what the Lord here forbids, and has proved the truth of His words in consequence. Baptism and the Lord's supper, perverted from their original meaning and application, have been used above all else to give the grossest evils tolerance in the house of God, and to make Babylon the great "a cage of every unclean and hateful bird." They have thus been trampled under foot by the profane, and Christianity been rent and mangled fearfully, as all the centuries bear witness. The "Judgment of charity" is continually invoked to take darkness to be light, and credit the most barren profession with what it dares not even claim for itself. But the false judgment of laxity has here its woe upon it, as much as the false judgment of censoriousness: upon that which puts good for evil, and that which puts evil for good alike. -- The Numerical Bible.)

The great proclamation of the King closes with warnings against false prophets and false religious professors. The warning of verse 15 is for our age as well and has a special significance in the end of the age. False teachers and false spirits are on all sides and false prophets increase. See Acts 20:29-30; Colossians 2:8; 1 Timothy 4:1, 6:20; 2 Peter 2:1; 1 John 4:1-3; and 2 Corinthians 2:17, 6:13-15. How different these divine warnings are in comparison with the optimistic vision of Christendom of an age which increases in righteousness. When the King comes again "in that day" the false prophets, though they used His Name (like "Christian Science" and "Jehovah's Witnesses"), will be disowned by Him. The house built upon the sand of a mere profession and not the rock of ages will be swept away by the judgment.


Reference:
  [1] Gaebelien, Arno C. (c. 1970).
"The Holy Scriptures Analyzed and Annotated: Matthew" - Moody Press, Loizeaux Bothers


2012-11-21
2013-11-26 1532