Author: Charlie Garrett

Saturday, 28 December 2024

“And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. Matthew 6:5

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

“And when you may pray, not you will be just as the hypocrites, for they love to pray in the synagogues and in the corners of the plazas – having stood – that they may be seen of men. Amen! I say to you, they obtain their reward” (CG).

In the previous verse, Jesus continued His thought about doing charitable deeds in secret. Now, He goes from that subject to the subject of prayer, beginning with, “And when you may pray.”

The verb is subjunctive, and thus this is a hypothetical intended for any such situation, “when you may pray.” At any time someone finds himself desiring to pray to God, Jesus instructs the disciples that “not you will be just as the hypocrites.”

The meaning is that there is actually a wrong way to pray, represented by the two-faced people He will continue to speak about. As seen in verse 6:2, the hypocrites say one thing but do another. In this case, it involves praying, something that is to occur between a person and God.

If one is going to speak to another about private matters, the two will withdraw and speak privately. The same is true with speaking to God. If one is to have a private prayer, why would he feel it is acceptable to openly pray it? But this is what Jesus will next speak of, saying, “for they love to pray in the synagogues and in the corners of the plazas.”

Here are two new words, gónia, a corner, and plateia, a wide place. One can trace the word plaza back to this Greek word which corresponded to the Latin platea. That followed into later languages, such as the Spanish and English word “plaza.”

In cities with walls, there was usually a plaza inside of the gate where people could congregate. This is because the gate was normally the place where judgments were rendered and business was transacted.

By having a plaza, a wide place, in front of the gate, people could gather to see these things conducted, bring matters to attention, sell to those gathered, etc. It was also the place where the hypocrites went to pray so that everyone could witness their drummed-up attention-seeking.

Like the busybodies who hang everyone’s dirty laundry out for everyone to see, these are the types who want to be heard by everyone else. And so, they openly would pray for everyone else to watch.

Obviously, Jesus is not speaking of group prayers or settings which call for someone to pray over another person. He is referring to people who want to trumpet their supposed piety in front of everyone else, just like those described in the previous verse who trumpeted their alms-giving in front of others. In order to get this attention, He next continues with, “having stood.”

Just as teaching in rabbinic circles involved sitting, praying often involved standing. This continues to this day as Jews gather and pray in open settings. For example, those who gather at the Western Wall of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem stand in the open and pray towards the wall. This is normally accompanied by all kinds of body motions like rocking back and forth and the like.

This type of praying is so that they can be seen by others, demonstrating a supposed humility before God. But Jesus says it is really “that they may be seen of men.”

The position of standing makes one more visible. The rocking back and forth is like a magnet to others’ eyes. The prayer is audible so that those around can hear. The entire purpose of such actions is to draw attention to oneself. And that is exactly what happens. When it does, Jesus says, “Amen! I say to you, they obtain their reward.”

People who do these things are looking for the reward of being seen. They receive what they desire. As such, they should expect nothing else from God the Father. The obvious implication is that no positive response to any prayers will be provided by Him.

Life application: Praying is something that is spoken of by Paul in most of his epistles. In 1 Thessalonians 5:17, he says, “pray without ceasing.” The meaning is that one can talk to the Lord at any time and anywhere. This does not contradict what Jesus is going to say about praying in the coming verse.

Rather, Jesus is explaining the attitude of people in Jewish society who thought that their open, showy prayers somehow merited God’s attention because they brought about the attention of those around them.

Paul’s words mean that we can simply walk along the road and talk to God. We can thank Him for the beautiful scenery. If someone comes to mind who is having trouble, we can say a prayer under our breath for their situation.

God knows our thoughts, and He hears our silent prayers. As this is so, we don’t need to trumpet our words out loud –

“And it happened, as she continued praying before the Lord, that Eli watched her mouth. ¹³ Now Hannah spoke in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli thought she was drunk. ¹⁴ So Eli said to her, ‘How long will you be drunk? Put your wine away from you!’
¹⁵ But Hannah answered and said, ‘No, my lord, I am a woman of sorrowful spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor intoxicating drink, but have poured out my soul before the Lord. ¹⁶ Do not consider your maidservant a wicked woman, for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief I have spoken until now.’
¹⁷ Then Eli answered and said, ‘Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition which you have asked of Him.’” 1 Samuel 1:12-17

Glorious God, we know You hear our prayers, even when silently uttered to You in moments of grief and despair. Thank You for hearing and being attentive to our words. Amen.

Friday, 27 December 2024

that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly. Matthew 6:4

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

“that your compassionateness – it may be in secret. And your Father, the ‘seeing in the secret,’ He will reward you in the revealed” (CG).

In the previous verse, Jesus told His disciples that when they were doing charitable deeds that they were not to let their left know what the right was doing. He now explains why, beginning with, “that your compassionateness – it may be in secret.”

When one’s left doesn’t know what his right is doing, for sure nobody else will know. It will be a complete secret. This is a new adjective to Scripture, kruptos, signifying hidden, concealed, secret, etc. It is derived from the verb kruptó, to conceal, hide, etc. One can see the etymological root of the word crypto.

When one’s good deeds are so hidden away, Jesus says, “And your Father, the ‘seeing in the secret,’ He will reward you in the revealed.”

He describes God as seeing all things. If something is secreted away, and yet God is the ‘seeing in the secret,’ it shows that He is omnipresent. There is nothing God is not completely aware of. This would also touch upon His omniscience. Elsewhere of God, it says that God “tests the hearts and minds” (Psalm 7:9). Likewise, it says of the Lord –

“I, the Lord, search the heart,
I test the mind,
Even to give every man according to his ways,
According to the fruit of his doings.” Jeremiah 17:10

And more, in Revelation 2:23, confirming Jesus’ deity, it says –

“…I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works.”

If God the Father sees in the secret and rewards in the revealed, and God tests the hearts and minds, and the Lord (Yehovah) searches the heart and mind and gives every man according to his ways, and Jesus searches the minds and hearts and gives according to one’s works, the Bible is clearly and unambiguously telling us that Jesus is God. Were it not so, such statements would be the highest form of blasphemy.

And more, in Romans 8:26, 27, it says –

“Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. ²⁷ Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.”

Not only is Jesus God, but the Spirit is God as well, thus confirming the doctrine of the Trinity. In sound theology, 1 + 1 will always equal 2.

For this verse, however, the direct point being made is that God will reward those who perform charitable deeds with a pure heart and intent. However, if the intent is to receive accolades from man, then why would God further reward such an act? None should be expected and none will be given.

Life application: Although many people take the omnipresence and omniscience of God as a frightful thing, which it rightly should be for humanity in general, believers should take this as a note of reassurance and comfort.

If God has covenanted with us through the blood of His Son, saving us by grace through faith, and if He knows every single aspect of who we are, what we have done, and what we will do – even into the future – then we should be confident that the all-seeing and all-knowing God has eternally saved us despite ourselves.

There should not be a state of constant fear of messing up and losing one’s salvation. There should be great comfort and confidence because God was willing to save us in the first place. As His decrees are eternal, we can know with all certainty that we are eternally saved.

Be humble before God, but also be confident that when you have messed up, He already knew you would. God is no longer in a state of enmity with you when you are in Christ. He is in complete and eternal fellowship with you because He is in complete and eternal fellowship with Jesus, in whom you also are included –

“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; ²¹ that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. ²² And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: ²³ I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.” John 17:20-23

Glorious God, because of Jesus our walk with You should be one of confidence. Give us the ability to understand our place in Christ and to be reassured concerning our salvation. With that understanding, we can proceed ahead without fear, knowing that we have eternal security through the precious shed blood of Christ. Thank You for this surety we possess. Amen.

Thursday, 26 December 2024

But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, Matthew 6:3

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

“And you doing compassionateness, not it know your left what it does your right” (CG).

In the previous verse, Jesus told His disciples to not trumpet their charitable deeds before others like the hypocrites do. In doing so, there will be no reward from the Father. Now, He continues that thought, saying, “And you doing compassionateness.”

Jesus acknowledges that doing such deeds is something expected of people. Otherwise, He would have said, “If you do…” It is assumed that people will, in fact, do such things. This is especially so because those under the law were told to do certain charitable things. To not do them would then be sin. However, Jesus says that in their doing them, “not it know your left what it does your right.”

Both words are introduced into the New Testament. The first, aristeros, left, comes from the same root as the word ariston, meaning a breakfast or midday meal. The word ariston properly signifies “undetermined.” Thus, it is a meal eaten at any point before the main meal.

As such, the aristeros, left, gives the sense of second best. That then is contrasted to dexios, right. That is from dechomai, to take, receive, accept, welcome, etc. The right throughout the world is considered the predominant hand. It is the one that is generally used for grabbing things, hailing others, receiving gifts, and so forth.

Thus, in the Bible, it signifies the position of power (such as “sit at My right hand” in Psalm 110:1) and blessing, both in receiving and in bestowing (such as Psalm 16:11, receiving, and when the hand is placed on another to bless him, as in Genesis 48:13, bestowing).

The left is considered the weaker and less predominant side, but it is generally not so in a negative sense. Rather, it speaks of a different or lesser position.

Jesus is letting the disciples know that in the giving of alms or doing other charitable deeds, one should be so secretive that the hands – metaphorically speaking of positions of authority – shouldn’t know what one another has done. It may not be a great way to run a government or a business, but it is the appropriate way to do one’s acts of charity.

Life application: It is not always easy to live up to these words. As social beings, we desire recognition. We also want things credited to our accounts with others. In doing something nice for another, we can then hope for something in return if a need were to arise.

These thoughts will often permeate our thinking. However, if we trust that the Lord has everything figured out, then future needs will be met according to His wisdom. Having account balances with others shouldn’t be a consideration.

And for those who could not help in the future, such as the poor, why should helping them be something we want others to see? But we do. It is again something that we find desirable. As it is so, we should make a conscious effort to try to quell those feelings and simply be pleased that the Lord is seeing and approving of our actions.

Jesus is speaking to His disciples while still under the law, but the premise of His words holds true at any time. God’s standards of approval will not change in such matters. The only difference is that those under the law had mandates on them that we don’t.

We do not have sin imputed for not doing the things required under the law. As Paul says, “sin is not imputed where there is no law” (Romans 5:13). Therefore, we can be grateful for the grace, receive that as a blessing, and be content with this knowledge and not seek further approval from others. The knowledge of what Jesus has done should be sufficient to motivate us to acts of goodness without extra recognition from others.

Heavenly Father, Jesus came and lived out the law, fulfilling it and then setting it aside. Now, You offer grace through faith in what He has done. What more could we ask for? It is sufficient to impel us forward, all the days of our lives. Help us to rest in this knowledge and be satisfied in the grace that comes through His work! Amen.

Merry Christmas!

Wednesday, 25 December 2024

Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. Matthew 6:2

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

“Therefore, when you do compassionateness, you trumpet not before you just as the hypocrites – they do – in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Amen! I say to you, they obtain their reward” (CG).

The previous verse began Chapter 6. Jesus said to not do one’s deeds of charity (compassionateness) before men in order to be seen. If that is the case, God will give no reward. Jesus now continues with, “Therefore, when you do compassionateness, you trumpet not before you.”

He uses the verb salpizó, literally, to sound a trumpet. Because the word trumpet can be used as either a noun or a verb, simply saying trumpet in the verbal position gets the point across. In the New Testament, the idea of sounding a trumpet is used as a metaphor at times for other things, such as the announcement of divine actions.

In this case, Jesus is saying, “Don’t draw attention to yourself,” something that sounding a trumpet will naturally do. He next adds, “just as the hypocrites – they do.”

Here is another new word, hupokrités. One can see the etymological root of our modern word. The word comes from hypo, under, and krino, to judge. Thus, it signifies “a judging under.” This is what someone with a mask on will do. As such, it is a two-faced person. He says one thing but then does another.

In this case, his supposed action is helping another, but the true intent is to look good in front of others. He does this by doing his charitable deeds “in the synagogues and in the streets.”

These are both places where people are gathered. Thus, they are the perfect places for hypocrites to supposedly do kindnesses to others. The person will be seen and will receive all kinds of accolades for his generosity or care of others. But this is exactly what he wanted in the first place. Such people do this “that they may have glory from men.”

Jesus, knowing the human heart, explains why such a person did something nice for another or toward God in the first place. It wasn’t because he cared at all about the recipient. Rather, he cares about himself, hoping to receive accolades or other benefits from those around him. In such a situation, Jesus exclaims, “Amen! I say to you, they obtain their reward.”

Such a person is looking for worldly acclaim, not care of or toward the recipient. If worldly acclaim is what he wants, in doing his deeds in the open, he receives the reward he is looking for. Such a person will get no approval from the Lord. Why should he?

And yet, this is usually on the minds of such people. They give in hopes of immediate approval, but then they assume that because those who see are pleased, then God must also be pleased. This is as common as peanuts in a peanut butter processing plant. We equate our human thoughts about things to our thoughts about God, assuming He is just like us.

Life application: One of the common things seen in charitable donors is a plaque saying who gave money for a particular cause. Quite often it will include the sum given. People will often give specifically for this type of notability.

This is also the idea behind large, notable grave markers. Many people have a need to be noticed by others in both life and death. They want to be remembered for the lives they live (or lived). But if one’s life is not lived for the Lord, it is a life truly wasted. No matter how long a person is remembered in this world, the Bible tells us that this world will come to an end.

For those who miss out on the heavenly highway, there is an eternity ahead that will be spent apart from the good things that God will do for His people. What a sad trade to make! Who cares if you are appreciated by others for the good things you do in this life? What really matters is if God has accepted you for the next life. And that is only going to happen if you place your trust in Jesus Christ.

Believe the gospel today. Don’t worry about trumpeting your deeds now. Through faith in Jesus, God will trumpet you to glory –

“For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. ¹⁶ For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. ¹⁷ Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. ¹⁸ Therefore comfort one another with these words.” 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18

Lord God, may our lives be lived out in a manner that will bring You glory and honor. Help us to be people who live out Your will now, knowing that the true rewards are ahead. Until that day, may we quietly do our good deeds without trumpeting what we are doing. You see. That is what matters. Amen.

Tuesday, 24 December 2024

“Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. Matthew 6:1

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

“You beware of your compassionateness, not to do before men to be seen by them. And if otherwise, no reward you have from your Father, the ‘in the heavens’” (CG).

The previous verse concluded Matthew 5. Matthew 6 begins with Jesus’ continued discourse to His disciples. He now says, “You beware of your compassionateness.”

The word translated as “beware,” prosechó, is introduced here. It gives the sense of setting a course and staying on it, or giving one’s full attention to something. Thus, one is to beware and pay heed. The specific thing Jesus says to heed in this verse is their compassionateness.

The Greek word eleémosuné is used. It is a noun that is exactingly translated as compassionateness, as in alms. Thus, the word alms is how it is often translated. It is a benefaction bestowed upon someone. The word is derived from eleos, signifying compassion, such as pity, mercy, etc.

Some manuscripts, however, instead have the word dikaiosuné, righteousness. Thus, “Beware not to do your righteousness…” Either way, the point is to “not to do before men to be seen by them.”

Jesus is making a point about the conduct of such a display of doing good. If you are going to do a good deed where others will see, it demonstrates that your intent is less in helping the object of the deed, meaning the poor person, but in being viewed by others to become the subject of their praise.

People do this for a variety of reasons, such as being complimented, getting a job promotion or a favorable status among others, getting an appointment to a position (such as in the government), and so forth. If this is the intent, which is expressed by doing the thing in front of others rather than without eyes watching, Jesus says, “And if otherwise, no reward you have from your Father, the ‘in the heavens.’”

If the goal is to gain earthly benefit, then whatever you receive here is all you will get. However, God will give you no reward. What would be the point? You obtained what you desired, which was something other than pleasing Him.

Under the law, there were mandates for caring for others. Some of them were things that, by default, others would see. They occurred during the annual pilgrim feasts and so forth. However, there were things the people were commanded to do that could be done at any time.

If someone was doing them for everyone to see, it meant that he was not necessarily doing them to be pleasing to the Lord who gave the law, but to show off to others about how obedient to the law he was. It demonstrated that the law itself was more important to this person than the One who gave the law.

Life application: Though Jesus is speaking to Israel under the law, this verse essentially carries a moral precept about the heart. Paul says –

’The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart’ (that is, the word of faith which we preach): ⁹ that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰ For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Romans 10:8-10

He refers to belief in the heart. Anyone can say, “I believe in Jesus” with it not being true. Politicians do it all the time. What matters is not what one says openly, but what the heart believes.

God is evaluating the heart of man in Matthew 6:1, just as He is doing throughout Scripture. If the heart is right with Him, then the action that accompanies what one is doing will be acceptable. This is the point of Jesus’ words.

Lord God, may our hearts be right with You. When they are, our actions will be considered appropriate as well. Help us in this, O God, so that we may be perfect in Your sight as we live out our lives in Your presence. Amen.