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Matthew 5:19-20 Righteous commandment breaking
1. Matthew 5:19
KJV: Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Greek: ος εαν ουν λυση μιαν των εντολων τουτων των ελαχιστων και διδαξη ουτως τους ανθρωπους ελαχιστος κληθησεται εν τη βασιλεια των ουρανων ος δ αν ποιηση και διδαξη ουτος μεγας κληθησεται εν τη βασιλεια των ουρανων
2. Matthew 5:20
KJV: For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Greek: λεγω γαρ υμιν οτι εαν μη περισσευση υμων η δικαιοσυνη υμων πλειον των γραμματεων και φαρισαιων ου μη εισελθητε εις την βασιλειαν των ουρανων
Wycliffe: And Y seie to you, that but your riytfulnesse be more plenteuouse than of scribis and of Farisees, ye schulen not entre into the kyngdom of heuenes.
Tyndale: For I saye vnto you except youre rightewesnes excede the righetewesnes of ye Scribes and Pharises ye canot entre into ye kyngdome of heven.
3. Matthew 5:17 Leave the light on
Matthew 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. [kjv]
Paraphrase:
Do not Think (law wise) that I came to reside (make a nest as a bird) in the law or the prophets (like a bird in a nest). I came not to reside but to complete (which may require taking some things away).
What things might need to be taken away?
Can those things be taken away?
The next verse helps answer these questions.
4. Matthew 5:18 Paraphrase
Matthew 5:18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. [kjv]
Paraphrase:
It is so that until heaven and earth pass by, not one jot (spots, blemishes, empty opinion) nor one tittle (horns, invalid logic, extra rules) will pass by from man's viewpoint (but all will pass by from God's viewpoint) until all (the new heaven and new earth) come into being.
Will the religious establishment be upset if you try to remove any
"jots" (blemishes, personal opinions, etc.) or
"tittles" (extra rules, invalid logic, etc.) that are used to oppress the faithful and support their (false) house (nest and belly)?
How might the religious establishment react? What might they do?
Jesus addresses this in the
next two verses (and thereafter).
[What to call this content?]
5. Matthew 5:19-20 Righteous commandment breaking
Matthew 5:19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. [kjv]
5:20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. [kjv]
Which commandments are being broken? The word in Greek can mean "solve" or "resolve".
Which commandments are being taught and followed?
What exactly is the "kingdom" of "heaven"?
Who is doing the calling? (peacemakers 10 verses earlier)
What righteousness is in question? (man's, God's, both, neither)
Context is important!
6. Matthew 5:19 Commandments
Matthew 5:19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. [kjv]
ος εαν ουν λυση μιαν των εντολων τουτων των ελαχιστων και διδαξη ουτως τους ανθρωπους ελαχιστος κληθησεται εν τη βασιλεια των ουρανων ος δ αν ποιηση και διδαξη ουτος μεγας κληθησεται εν τη βασιλεια των ουρανων [gnt]
The ancient Greek word
"ἐντολή" ≈ "order, command, mandate".
The ten "words".
The ten commandments.
The ten suggestions.
The ten opinions.
7. Commandments from God
In the beginning, Moses gave the people commandments from God.
8. Additions by man
Galatians 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. [kjv]
τη ελευθερια ημας χριστος ηλευθερωσεν στηκετε ουν και μη παλιν ζυγω δουλειας ενεχεσθε [gnt]
Over time, man added (and distorted) the original commandments from God.
The Epistle of Barnabas makes this connection and expounds on the idea in great detail.
Jesus, and Barnabas referring to what Jesus said, call the extra rules the "
yoke of compulsion".
Any
birdhouse expecting to use these extra rules to the advantage of the birdhouse would not have wanted the Epistle of Barnabas, a disputed book along with James and Hebrews (and others), in the Canon.
9. Galatians 5:1
KJV: Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
Greek: τη ελευθερια ουν η χριστος ημας χριστος ηλευθερωσεν στηκετε ουν και μη παλιν ζυγω δουλειας ενεχεσθε
10. Barnabas 2.6 Yoke of compulsion
In the
Epistle of Barnabas, the writer explains at length, quoting verses such as found in Isaiah (and elsewhere), to point out that Jesus removes the "
yoke of compulsion".
English: Therefore he has abolished these things, in order that the new law of our Lord Jesus Christ which is free from the yoke of compulsion, might have its offering, one not made by humans. (Holmes, 2007, p. 383)
Greek: ταυτα ουν κατηργησεν, ινα ο καινος νομος του κυριου ὑμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, ἄνευ ζυγοῦ ἀνάγκης, ὤν, μὴ ἀνθρωποποίητον ἔχῃ τὴν προσφοράν. Epistle of Barnabas [2.6]
Any religious establishment that profits from that "
yoke of compulsion" would not want the
Epistle of Barnabas included in the canon. Another disputed book, Hebrews, was included. Interesting, Hebrews includes many verses that appear to support a "
yoke of compulsion" while some verses in the
Epistle of Barnabas appear to be mistranslated (to provide continued support for not including it in the canon).
11. Yoke of compulsion
The lack of need for a religious hierarchy or
"yoke" of
"compulsion" as Barnabas explains, from the teachings of Jesus about the "
kingdom of heaven", would not have appealed to a human sand hierarchy interested in secular power.
Matthew 11:30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. [kjv]
ο γαρ ζυγος μου χρηστος και το φορτιον μου ελαφρον εστιν [gnt]
The Greek for
"easy" is that of being
"useful" and is a play on words with the Greek word for
"Christ". The word
"yoke" means, literally,
"two going together".
The ancient Greek word "χρηστός" ≈ "useful, good".
The ancient Greek word "χριστός" ≈ "anointed one, Christ".
Without the play on words: My yoke is useful.
With the play on words: My yoke is Christ.
The word for
"burden" was also a word for
"tax". What is the
"tax" of the "
yoke" of "
compulsion"? Think "
altars" and "
sacrifices" and "
money tables".
"φόρτος" ≈ "load, cargo" and "φορτίον" ≈ "load, cargo" (diminutive)
"φόρος" ≈ "tribute, tax".
12. Barnabas: Fish
Ψαλμοί 1:1 μακιαριος ανηρ ος ουκ επορευθη εν βουλη ασεβων και εν οδω αμαρτωλων ουκ εστη και επι καθεδραν λοιμων ουκ εκαθισεν [lxx]
Blessed is the man who has not walked in the counsel of the ungodly… [bs3]
English: Blessed is the man who has not followed the counsel of ungodly men (like the fish that swim about in darkness in the depths), (Holmes, 2007, p. 413, 10.10)
Greek: Μακάριος ἀνήρ, ὃς οὐκ ἐπορεύθη ἐν βουλῇ ἀσεβῶν, καθὼς καὶ οἱ ἰχθύες πορεύονται ἐν σκότει εἰς τὰ βάθη· [10.10]
The author of the
Epistle of Barnabas quotes the
LXX (Septuagint) and then provides a connecting explanation in terms of "
fish".
13. Barnabas: Pigs
Psalms 1:1 … nor standeth in the way of sinners, … [kjv]
μακιαριος ανηρ ος ουκ επορευθη εν βουλη ασεβων και εν οδω αμαρτωλων ουκ εστη και επι καθεδραν λοιμων ουκ εκαθισεν [lxx]
… and has not stood in the way of sinners… [bs3]
English: and has not taken the path of sinners (like those who pretend to fear the Lord but sin like pigs), (Holmes, 2007, p. 413, 10.10)
Greek: καὶ ἐν ὁδῷ ἁμαρτωλῶν οὐκ ἔστη, καθὼς οἱ δοκοῦντες φοβεῖσθαι τὸν κύριον ἁμαρτάνουσιν ὡς ὁ χοῖρος, [10.10]
The author of the
Epistle of Barnabas quotes the
LXX and then provides a connecting explanation in terms of "
pigs" or "
swine".
The "
stand" is that of blocking the way. A sinner wants to change, but the "
pig" blocks the way to repentance.
The "
pretend" is that of an "
opinion". False teachers and those who change the Bible fit this description. The Greek for "
pretending" is the word "
hypocrite" used by Jesus.
14. Pigs
In the
Epistle of Barnabas, Barnabas interprets the writings of Moses not to eat animals such as the pig a change from the original in that one is, rather, not to act like a pig in 10.3. He does this for other animals (omitted).
The Greek for "
associate" is that of "
attaching oneself" as if by "
glue" as in being "
joined together". The Greek for "
forget" is that of "
ignoring".
English: You must not associate, he means, with such people, who are like pigs. That is, when they are well off they forget the Lord, but when they are in need, they acknowledge the Lord, just as the pig ignores its owner when it is feeding, but when it is hungry, it starts to squeal and falls silent only after being fed again. Holmes, 2007, p. 411
Greek: τὸ οὖν χοιρίον πρὸς τοῦτο εἶπεν· οὐ κολληθήσῃ, φησίν, ἄθρώποις τοιούτοις, οἵτινές εἰσιν ὅμοιοι χοίρων· τουτέστιν ὅταν σπαταλῶσιν, ἐπιλανθάνονται τοῦ κυρίου, ὅταν δὲ ὑστεροῦνται, ἐπιγινώσκουσιν τὸν κύριον, ὡς καὶ ὁ χοῖρος ὅταν τρώγει τὸν κύριον οὐκ οἶδεν, ὅταν δὲ πεινᾷ κραυγάζει, καὶ λαβὼν πάλιν σιωπᾷ.
Would you rather have been a "
pig" or a "
sheep" or a member of Herod's family in Judea at the time of Christ?
15. Barnabas: Birds
Psalms 1:1 … nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. [kjv]
μακιαριος ανηρ ος ουκ επορευθη εν βουλη ασεβων και εν οδω αμαρτωλων ουκ εστη και επι καθεδραν λοιμων ουκ εκαθισεν [lxx]
… and has not sat in the seat of evil men. [bs3]
English: and has not sat in the seat of pestilent men (like the birds that sit waiting for plunder). (Holmes, 2007, p. 413, 10.10)
Greek: καὶ ἐπὶ καθέδραν λοιμῶν οὐκ ἐκάθισεν, καθὼς τὰ πετεινα καθήμενα εἰς ἁρπαγήν. [10.10]
The author of the
Epistle of Barnabas quotes the
LXX and then provides a connecting explanation in terms of "
birds".
The birds (false teachers)
are so pretty,
sound so nice, and
make me feel good.
Feather the nest
16. Barnabas: Behavior of birds
English: Neither shall you eat the eagle or the hawk or the kite or the crow. You must not, he means, associate or even resemble such people, who do not know how to provide food for themselves by labor and sweat but lawlessly plunder other people's property; indeed, though they walk about with the appearance of innocence, they are carefully watching and looking around for someone to rob in their greed, just as these birds alone do not provide food for themselves but sit idle and look for ways to eat the flesh of others - they are nothing more than pests in their wickedness. (10.4, Holmes, p. 411)
Barnabas makes the case that the Jews changed the "
moral" laws given by God to
Moses into "
dietary" laws to circumvent what God wanted. The word "
associate" is the Greek word for "
glued to" or "
joined together", the same word Jesus uses for husband and wife becoming "
one flesh".
Greek: [10.4] Οὐδὲ φάγῃ τὸν ἀετὸν οὐδὲ τὸν ὀξύπτερον οὐδὲ τὸν ἰκτῖνα οὐδὲ τὸν κόρακα οὐ μή, φησίν, κολληθήσῃ οὐδὲ ὁμοιωθήσῃ ἀνθρώποις τοιούτοις, οἵτινες οὐκ οἴδασιν διὰ κόπου καὶ ἰδρῶτος προίζειν ἑαυτοῖς τὴν τροφήν, ἀλλὰ ἁρπάζουσιν ὡς καὶ τὰ ἀλλότρια ἐν ἀνομίᾳ αὐτῶν καὶ ἐπιτηροῦσιν ὡς ἐν ἀκεραιοσύνῃ περιπατοῦντες καὶ περιβλέπονται, τίνα ἐκδύσωσιν διὰ τὴν πλεονεξίαν, ὡς καὶ τὰ ὄρνεα ταῦτα μόνα ἑαυτοῖς οὐ προίζει τὴν τροφήν, ἀλλὰ ἀργὰ καθήμενα ἐκζητεῖ, πῶς ἀλλοτρίας σάρκας καταφάγῃ, ὄντα λοιμὰ τῇ πονηρίᾳ αὐτῶν.
The ancient Greek word
"κόλλα" ≈ "glue, flower paste".
The translation is that one should not
"associate" with such people. The Greek is that of
"glue yourself" to such people.
17. Psalms 1:2 Barnabas
Psalms 1:2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. [kjv]
English: Again Moses says: Eat anything that has a divided hoof and chews the cud. Why does he say this? Because when it receives food it knows the one who is feeding it and, relying upon that person, appears to rejoice. (Holmes, 2007, p. 415, 10.11)
Greek: πάλιν λέγει Μωϋσῆς· Φάγεσθε πᾶν διχηλοῦν καὶ μαρυκώμενον. τί λέγει; ὅτι τὴν τροφὴν λαμβάνων οἶδεν τὸν τρέφοντα αὐτὸν καὶ ἐπ’ αὐτῷ ἀναπαθόμενος εὐφραίνεσθαι δοκεῖ. καλῶς εἶπεν βλέπων τὴν ἐντολήν. [10.11]
How much time and effort might be spent looking for the following?
 |
lost sheep (know who is feeding it) (hairs)
lost fish (fish them out to become sheep) (feet)
lost pig (if it tries to become a fish again, it suffocates) (hands)
lost bird (they all fall without God) (eyes)
|
18. Fulfillment
Jesus came, in part, to "
fulfill" or "
complete" the commandments from God by, in part, removing the
burden of man's additions to God's commandments.
God's laws: rock
Man's laws: sand
19. Commandments and laws
1 God's laws
2 Man's added laws
3 Fulfill
If one violates man's additions to God's law, has one violated the whole/entire law?
Does "
all scripture" include man's additions to God's law?
Greek has several words that, in the English, may be translated as "
fulfill" or "
fill full" and usually involves
adding.
One means "satisfied" (as in eating).
One means "completed" which may involve adding or subtracting. This is "πληρωμα" ≈ "complete, fill full".
"γένηται" ≈ "come into being, take place" from "γίγνομαι" ≈ "come into being, take place".
One means "end" or "purpose" but often translated as "complete" or "perfect".
20. Matthew 5:19 Commandments
Matthew 5:19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. [kjv]
ος εαν ουν λυση μιαν των εντολων τουτων των ελαχιστων και διδαξη ουτως τους ανθρωπους ελαχιστος κληθησεται εν τη βασιλεια των ουρανων ος δ αν ποιηση και διδαξη ουτος μεγας κληθησεται εν τη βασιλεια των ουρανων [gnt]
Jesus appears to have multiple meanings for the
"kingdom" of
"heaven". The Greek for
"kingdom" of
"heaven" is the same as the Greek for
"kingdom" of the
"air" as in
"kingdom" or
"realm" of the "
birds".
individuals (good, bad, neutral)
group of "believers" as in the "church" (on the rock), sometimes a "birdhouse" (on sand)
Apparently, such
breaking or
teaching of rules does not raise to the standing of being drowned in the "
sea of the sea".
21. Matthew 18:6 Sea of the sea
Matthew 18:6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. [kjv]
ος δ αν σκανδαλιση ενα των μικρων τουτων των πιστευοντων εις εμε συμφερει αυτω ινα κρεμασθη μυλος ονικος περι τον τραχηλον αυτου και καταποντισθη εν τω πελαγει της θαλασσης [gnt]
The Greek translated
"offend" is that of
"entrapping" or
"misleading". Jesus uses "
little ones" as "
believers" of
any age. The ancient Greek word
"πέλαγος" ≈ "sea". The root word appears twice in the
GNT (Greek New Testament).
Jesus uses
counter-factual logic, a distinctly human trait. Some pastors would tell you not to regret or second guess yourself. Jesus often uses this logic as a warning, a warning that is often ignored or not mentioned by some pastors.
22. Deceiving friends
Matthew 18:6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. [kjv]
ος δ αν σκανδαλιση ενα των μικρων τουτων των πιστευοντων εις εμε συμφερει αυτω ινα κρεμασθη μυλος ονικος περι τον τραχηλον αυτου και καταποντισθη εν τω πελαγει της θαλασσης [gnt]
John 15:14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. [kjv]
υμεις φιλοι μου εστε εαν ποιητε ο εγω εντελλομαι υμιν [gnt]
Discuss:
Is God your friend forever? Should you teach this to children?
The ancient Greek word
"μικρός" ≈ "small" and the source of the English word
"micro" is used for "
believers" of
any age. In Luke 19, Zacchaeus is described as
"small" and
not "
short"
23. Pecking orders
A "
pecking order" is a hierarchy of levels or status in an organization.
Birds have known for their "
pecking orders". This is especially evident, in say chickens (hens, etc.). The name comes from Norwegian biologist Throlief Schjelderup Ebbe from the 1920's.
Does Jesus have a pecking order?
What happens when some humans create a bird house with an associated pecking order? Those birds may preach with a wing (or wind) and (prey) with a prayer.
24. Matthew 21:13 Den of thieves
Matthew 21:13 And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves. [kjv]
και λεγει αυτοις γεγραπται ο οικος μου οικος προσευχης κληθησεται υμεις δε αυτον ποιειτε σπηλαιον ληστων [gnt]
The "
house" should be built on the "
rock".
The "
house" should not be built on the human infrastructure of "
sand" that involves many other things (buying, selling, etc.).
Business principle: All management (in the sand house) is, at best, non-value adding work (not fruit). The only value-adding work (fruit) happens at the lowest (rock) level.
25. Rock and sand
Build your house on the granite
rock of Jesus and not on the human sand (or stones) of man, Matthew 7:24-27. Sand is a chip off the old block of granite and made in the image of granite.
Church of believers built on the rock of Christ .
Church of believers built on the sand of man .
The higher one goes up the human
sand hierarchy or
sand tree, the more the temptation to ignore the foundation of the
rock and to start to "
influence" or "
manipulate" others as "
leaders" for one's own purposes.
To the extent that the Church of believers built on the sand of man helps one do what Jesus wants them to do, it is good. To the extent it does not, it is not good.
Some
birds will make "
stones" (sand on which to build their birdhouse) appear as "
bread". That is, give "
bad" "
gifts" or "
houses" to their "
children".
26. Matthew 5:9 Making and appeasing peaceful peacemakers
Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. [kjv]
μακαριοι οι ειρηνοποιοι οτι αυτοι υιοι θεου κληθησονται [gnt]
What is peace? What is a peacemaker?
Is being a peacemaker good or bad?
Is making something good or bad?
Who is it doing the calling?
Is there any
conscientious objection to continuing on the topic of making
peace? Let us
piece together some ideas.
These questions arise from Matthew 5:9 in the Beatitudes, given on a mountain to the disciples with both
altitude and
attitude. Is that right,
dude?
Ambiguous request:
Let me be an instrument of your peace.
27. Clamor calling
Matthew 22:14 For many are called, but few are chosen. [kjv]
πολλοι γαρ εισιν κλητοι ολιγοι δε εκλεκτοι [gnt]
multi autem sunt vocati pauci vero electi [v]
The English word
"clamor" comes, through French, from the Latin word
"clamor" ≈ "shout, cry" which comes from the Latin word
"clamo" ≈ "cry out, complain" which is related to the ancient Greek word
"καλέω" ≈ "call". The "
cl" in Latin changed into the "
ll" in Spanish as in
"llamar" ≈ "summon, call".
English: What is it called?
Spanish: ¿Cómo se llama?
Why do so many people who speak Spanish want others to join them and look at alpacas?
They are always saying, ¿Cómo se llama? (Come see the llama!)
28. Least and great
Matthew 5:19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. [kjv]
ος εαν ουν λυση μιαν των εντολων τουτων των ελαχιστων και διδαξη ουτως τους ανθρωπους ελαχιστος κληθησεται εν τη βασιλεια των ουρανων ος δ αν ποιηση και διδαξη ουτος μεγας κληθησεται εν τη βασιλεια των ουρανων [gnt]
The ancient Greek word
"ἐλαχύς" ≈ "small, short, little", as in
"least".
The ancient Greek word
"ἐλάχιστος" ≈ "fewest, least, smallest".
The ancient Greek word
"μεγας" ≈ "great" and is the source of the English prefix
"mega".
29. Matthew 5:19 Birdhouse rules
Matthew 5:19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. [kjv]
As in the "
peacemaker" verse, 10 verses earlier, Jesus does
not say who it is who is doing the
"calling". The paraphrase fits any
human organization. This meaning does not necessarily make the traditional interpretation invalid.
 |
|
Paraphrase: Whoever breaks the least of the rules established by the bird for the birdhouse, and teaches others in that birdhouse to do so, will be called least in that birdhouse. But whoever does and teaches those rules shall be called great in the birdhouse.
|
To "
preach" or "
teach" in the
birdhouse, one must espouse the views or "
righteousness",
not of God or Jesus, but of the lead
bird. Saying:
You'll be birdseed.
[good and bad salt, good and bad light, good and bad houses]
30. Nature and law and justice
In his
On Sophistic Refutations, Aristotle says that from ancient times, nature (truth) and law (opinion) are opposites and that justice goes with the law (opinion) but not with nature (truth).
English: Nature and Law are opposites, and justice is a good thing according to the law but not according to nature. Loeb #400, p. 73.
Greek: ἐναντία γὰρ εἶναι φύσιν καὶ νόμον, καὶ τὴν δικαιοσύνην κατὰ νόμον μὲν εἶναι καλόν, κατὰ φύσιν δ´ οὐ καλόν Sophistic Refutations [173b]
"φύση" ≈ "nature, reality" (reality truth) as in "physics".
"νόμος" ≈ "custom, law" (opinion truth) as in "Deuteronomy" as in "second law". The Greek for "iniquity" is "against the law".
"δικαιοσύνη" ≈ "righteousness, justice".
Whenever Jesus, Paul, etc., use the word for
"righteousness" one must determine from context what is meant. There may be double meanings.
☐ God's
"righteousness" (opinion, glory, etc.).
☐ man's
"righteousness" (opinion, glory, etc.).
31. Truth and opinion
32. Romans 8:31 For this reason
Romans 8:31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? [kjv]
τι ουν ερουμεν προς ταυτα ει ο θεος υπερ ημων τις καθ ημων [gnt]
… haec … pro … contra … [v]
In English, one could say "
for this reason" as in "
over this reason" as in "
because of this". The same in true in Greek in that the word for "
over" can sometimes mean "
for".
Man's "righteousness" is "what is right" as in an "opinion" that is the "glory" of man (humanism).
God's "righteousness" is "what is right" as in an "opinion" that is the "glory" of God (theism).
Which one is your goal?
33. A course conjunction of conditional evaluation
The concept of logical conjunction applies to certain sayings of Jesus.
Matthew 5:20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. [kjv]
λεγω γαρ υμιν οτι εαν μη περισσευση υμων η δικαιοσυνη πλειον των γραμματεων και φαρισαιων ου μη εισελθητε εις την βασιλειαν των ουρανων [gnt]
What does "righteousness" or "opinion" mean in this context?
Does this set a low bar or a high bar?
If we exceed the bar, have we achieved the goal?
What is the goal?
Discuss: Does the church ever appear to "
lower the bar"? Why might this happen?
Discuss:
Does Jesus grade on a curve?
34. Logical conjunction
The English word
"conjuction" comes, through French, from the Latin word
"coniungere" ≈ "join".
The logical
conjunction or
intersection of two operands is true if (and only if) both operands are true. The logical conjunction "
and" is the
same as the natural language "
and".
Example: To graduate, you must take and pass
both MA101 (Math 101)
and EN101 (English 101) and some others, ignored here. That is, you must take both courses to graduate.
Conjunction can be extended to any number of operators. There are other logical operators for two-valued logic that are not needed here.
35. Adviser
Let us say that you in college. There are many courses that you need to take and pass.
Here are the two courses in the example.
MA101 - Math 101
EN101 - English 101
You need to take and pass both
MA101 and
EN101 to graduate. Passing only one or none will not result in your graduation.
You are taking both courses. You may not be even showing up for one or both classes, but that would result in a failure of the courses. Every student needs to be enrolled in both of these classes (whether they realize it or not).
The teacher in
MA101 has high standards.
36. Gatekeeper
Interestingly, in academia, there are courses known as gatekeeper courses that are used to keep students from going to far in the program unless they have the skills and motivation to actually finish the program.
Jesus identifies gates in Matthew 7.
37. Adviser
An adviser in college is an advocate who helps the student, gives suggestions and advice, etc.
You go to your adviser concerned about whether you will be able to graduate. Your teacher will assign a grade in the course and the dean of the college, who has set the graduation standards, will then decide if you should graduate.
Your adviser tells you the following.
Unless you pass MA101 you cannot graduate.
This is true. If you do not pass
MA101 it does not matter how well you do in
EN101, you will not graduate.
Likewise. If you do not pass
EN101 it does not matter how well you do in
MA101, you will not graduate.
38. Adviser
Your adviser continues.
The other students in MA 101 are not doing well. Unless your performance exceeds that of the other students, you will not pass. But those standards are very high.
You still need to pass
EN101 but that is not addressed right here. You tell your adviser.
Those standards are so high. How could anyone pass?
Your adviser tells you the following.
With pure effort, it is impossible to pass. But if you can make friends with the teacher, then the teacher can put in a good word for you to the dean such that you will graduate.
Matthew 19:26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible. [kjv]
εμβλεψας δε ο ιησους ειπεν αυτοις παρα ανθρωποις τουτο αδυνατον εστιν παρα δε θεω παντα δυνατα [gnt]
39. Matthew 19:26
KJV: But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.
Greek: εμβλεψας δε ο ιησους ειπεν αυτοις παρα ανθρωποις τουτο αδυνατον εστιν παρα δε θεω παντα δυνατα εστιν
40. Jesus
In the analogy, Jesus is your teacher (Son) and your adviser (Holy Spirit) and your dean (God) and has been enrolled (at one time) in the same courses that you are taking - sometimes called the school of hard knocks.
Jesus has tough words for the existing religious establishment - as in the following verse.
Matthew 5:20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. [kjv]
λεγω γαρ υμιν οτι εαν μη περισσευση υμων η δικαιοσυνη πλειον των γραμματεων και φαρισαιων ου μη εισελθητε εις την βασιλειαν των ουρανων [gnt]
Discuss:
Does Jesus grade on a curve?
41. Courses
The religious establishment had been trying hard to love God but had forgotten about loving their neighbor.
Here are the courses in the analogy.
LG101 : Loving God (righteousness)
LN101 : Loving neighbor (mercy)
Both are needed. One needs to pass both courses.
Discuss:
Is God your friend forever?
John 15:14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. [kjv]
υμεις φιλοι μου εστε εαν ποιητε ο εγω εντελλομαι υμιν [gnt]
42. Conjunction
Note that you may work hard and your "
righteousness" in
LG101 (Loving God 101) my exceed the other students in the class. You may still not pass.
And there may be other requirements, such as
LN101 (Loving your Neighbor 101) that are not mentioned here.
How can anyone pass these courses? The disciples had the same question.
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Details are left as a future topic.
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43. Matthew 5:20 Righteous birds
Matthew 5:20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. [kjv]
λεγω γαρ υμιν οτι εαν μη περισσευση υμων η δικαιοσυνη πλειον των γραμματεων και φαρισαιων ου μη εισελθητε εις την βασιλειαν των ουρανων [gnt]
Unlike an earlier verse, there is no "
amen" or "
verily" or even "
blessed" starting this verse. The
"righteousness" can be God's
"righteousness" or man's
"righteousness" (or both). Context is important.
Paraphrase: Except your righteousness (as defined by the birds) exceeds the righteousness of those birds, you shall not enter and/or be promoted as a member of that birdhouse.
Note that this alternate meaning does not make the traditional interpretation invalid.
[good and bad salt, good and bad light, good and bad houses]
44. Safe Harbor United Methodist Church
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Vision Statement: “To share with others the Loving Gospel of Jesus Christ, to serve and grow in Him”
Web site: https://safeharborumc.org
Sermon videos are available on the web site.
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45. Matthew 5:22 The danger of brotherly anger
Matthew 5:22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. [kjv]
Some pastors use this verse to preach about secular ideas of "
anger management" from the Greek philosophy (e.g., Epicurus) or more modern anti-God based Freud psychology.
This verse is a favorites of pastors who promote non-Biblical
Epicurean Greek philosophy (having friends, controlling anger, etc., all spoken against by Paul) and/or the anti-Biblical and anti-God views of
Sigmund Freud. These views promoted by some pastors depend greatly on the English translation meaning what it appears to say.
What is the "in danger"? (mistranslated)
One can be "angry" without any associated action. Is that a problem?
Who is "the" "brother"? The "with" is that of "(with respect to) the"
What does it mean to say "raca" or "fool"? To whom is it said? What is the consequence?
46. End of page
Aristotle continues about "nature" as "truth" and "law" as "opinion".
