Daily Writing

Monday, 9 December 2024

But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne; Matthew 5:34

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 I, I say to you, not swear atall, either in the heaven, for it is God’s throne” (CG).

In the previous verse, Jesus noted that in the law it says that one should not perjure and that oaths were to be performed. However, Jesus now says, “And I, I say to you, not swear atall.”

Here is the first use of the word holós. It signifies wholly or altogether. When preceded by a negative, it signifies “atall” which, yes, is an English word that matches the Greek exactingly. The other three uses of the word will be by Paul in 1 Corinthians.

Rather than making vows, Jesus says to refrain from making them. However, someone might consider this as contradictory. In Deuteronomy 6:13, it says, “You shall fear the Lord your God and serve Him, and shall take oaths in His name.”

Someone could say that Jesus is contradicting what Moses taught. It could also be argued that He was rewriting the law rather than fulfilling it. But this is not so. Jesus continues His words with, “either in the heaven, for it is God’s throne.”

This is the first of five things Jesus says you are not to swear by. In this case, the word en, in, is used to indicate instrumentality as in “by heaven.” We use it this way at times, such as, “I swear in my dad’s name.”

Each of those five things is a part of creation. At times, an oath, adjuration, or vow is required. When it is, then it is to be made solely in the name of the Lord. This is evidenced by Jesus responding to such an adjuration in Matthew 26 –

“And the high priest arose and said to Him, ‘Do You answer nothing? What is it these men testify against You?’ ⁶³ But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest answered and said to Him, ‘I put You under oath by the living God: Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God!’
⁶⁴ Jesus said to him, ‘It is as you said. Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.’” Matthew 26:62-64

Further, Paul makes such oaths in his epistles quite a few times, such as in Romans 1:8 where he calls God as his witness. Rather, anything less than an oath in His name would be idolatry, elevating something created to a level of prominence that belongs to God alone.

Jesus will continue with His list of things not to swear by in the coming verses.

Life application: There are many in Christian circles who refuse to make a vow, even in the name of the Lord, based on this verse. This is based on a faulty interpretation of what Jesus is saying.

If a matter requires an oath, such as in a courtroom, the oath is only to be made in the name of the true God. As He finishes this thought, Jesus will tell what the normally expected type of guarantee is to be. It is a precept that is repeated several more times in the New Testament, including by Paul.

Be sure to keep things in context and to fully consider the entire matter that is being addressed when coming to decisions about one’s doctrine and life conduct.

Lord God, help our words to be always truthful so that people can rely on them without ever questioning our sincerity and without calling our relationship with You into question. May all those we interact with consider us as faithful people whose words can always be trusted. Amen.

Sunday, 8 December 2024

“Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.’ Matthew 5:33

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).

“Again, you heard that it was said to the ancients, ‘Not you shall perjure, and you shall render to the Lord your oaths’” (CG).

In the previous verse, Jesus spoke about divorce and the consequences of it. Now, He continues to cite references to the law and then provide stricter interpretations of them that must be considered for one to be right in God’s eyes. He begins the next such reference with, “Again, you heard that it was said to the ancients.”

As before, it is debated if the words should say “by the ancients” or “to the ancients.” The latter is probably correct, but either way, a point of law was conveyed long ago that had been taught and interpreted throughout the years.

Jesus is preparing to give an analysis of it from God’s perspective. First, however, He must state the precept. Therefore, He cites it, saying, “Not you shall perjure.”

The Greek word is found only here, epiorkeó. It signifies “upon oath.” Thus, it means to swear falsely and thus perjure. This is a point of law found in Leviticus 19:12 –

“And you shall not swear by My name falsely, nor shall you profane the name of your God: I am the Lord.”

Because profaning the name of the Lord is tied in with swearing falsely in this verse, it then bears on the words of the third commandment as well –

“You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.” Exodus 20:7

When one makes an oath, he is swearing to the truth of a matter. However, to make an oath other than in the name of the Lord would be a form of idolatry. Jesus clarifies this later in Matthew –

“Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘Whoever swears by the temple, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of the temple, he is obliged to perform it.’ ¹⁷ Fools and blind! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that sanctifies the gold? ¹⁸ And, ‘Whoever swears by the altar, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gift that is on it, he is obliged to perform it.’ ¹⁹ Fools and blind! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that sanctifies the gift? ²⁰ Therefore he who swears by the altar, swears by it and by all things on it. ²¹ He who swears by the temple, swears by it and by Him who dwells in it. ²² And he who swears by heaven, swears by the throne of God and by Him who sits on it.” Matthew 23:16-22

One can see the severity of trifling with the making of oaths. To do so in anything less than the name of the Lord is to defile the name of the Lord. But to make an oath in His name and then to not uphold the oath likewise profanes His name. Understanding this, Jesus continues with, “and you shall render to the Lord your oaths.”

This idea was summed up by Moses with words found in Deuteronomy –

“That which has gone from your lips you shall keep and perform, for you voluntarily vowed to the Lord your God what you have promised with your mouth.” Deuteronomy 23:23.

The law set forth a standard for the people. Their failure to meet that standard is evident throughout their history because they, as a nation, vowed to be obedient to the Lord, something that almost never took place in their recorded history.

Jesus will express His thoughts on the issue of making oaths in the next few verses.

Life application: God expects us to keep and perform the words of our mouths. But that must be taken in its proper light. If someone makes a vow to spend his life as a Buddhist monk but later hears the gospel and receives it, then it would be impossible to keep the vow and also honor the Lord through his new life in Christ.

Therefore, that vow cannot stand. This is true with any vow that has been made prior to coming to Christ that would contradict one’s new life in Christ. There has to be a priority in our lives, the highest of which is allegiance to God through our new lives in Christ.

If two women were to get married, something legal in society today, and one of them was to come to believe the gospel, she could not remain married to her partner and be obedient to Christ. The marriage must legally end and the new life in Christ must be the priority henceforth.

In Christ, all things are new. We will not be held accountable for keeping oaths that are contrary to our life in Christ. If they were, they were sinful to start with, and all sin has been atoned for through receiving Him. Let us remember that Jesus must be where our eyes are fixed as we seek out God through this wonderful Savior!

Lord God, may our lives be wholly dedicated to following You. Old things are gone. Our previous lives are behind us. May we steadily strive for this higher calling to which we have been called. To Your glory, we pray. Amen.

Saturday, 7 December 2024

But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason except sexual immorality causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery. Matthew 5:32

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 I, I say, to you that whoever if he shall dismiss his wife, except a word of harlotry, he makes her commit adultery. And whoever if ‘her having been dismissed’ he shall marry, he commits adultery” (CG).

In the previous verse, Jesus cited the words of Moses concerning giving a woman a certificate of divorce. Having said that, He next says, “And I, I say, to you.”

As with Matthew 5:28, almost all translations say either “But I say” or “However, I say.” This then sets Jesus’ words against those of Moses. But this is not the intent at all. Moses said what he said under inspiration from the Lord. It cannot be that the Lord would now contradict or argue against what was previously written.

Rather, and as seen in the previous commentary, Jesus told the people that Moses allowed for divorce because of the hardness of their hearts. This means that God knew that the people would rebel against Him even more than they did if they were not given this allowance.

However, Jesus now explains what the standard of God actually is, not by contradicting Moses (But), but through an additional explanation of how God perceives such things (And). Understanding this, He next says, “that whoever if he shall dismiss his wife.”

To dismiss means to send her away through divorce. As seen, the law in Deuteronomy said that this could be done for a “word of nudity,” meaning some type of shame that caused the husband to no longer want her. As nothing more specific was cited in the law, it became common for divorce to be allowed for almost any reason. However, Jesus next says, “except a word of harlotry.”

Jesus uses the word parektos, translated as except. The meaning then is that there is but this one exception which is noted as a word. The idea of a “word” is that of a matter. The man finds out that the woman has played the harlot, and he resolves to dismiss her because of that. This is the only exception allowed by God’s exacting standard.

As for the word porneia, translated as harlotry, it signifies “to sell off.” Thus, it speaks of surrendering oneself from sexual purity, meaning it refers to marital unfaithfulness. With this one exception identified, Jesus says that through any other reason for divorce, “he makes her commit adultery.”

In other words, the woman has not been unfaithful, but because of the actions of the man in dismissing her, he is actually causing her to be an adulteress. To God, the union did not have a sufficient reason for it being ended. But without such a sufficient reason, it means that to Him, it is still considered a legal union.

A piece of paper doesn’t change the reality of the state between the two. To further clarify the matter, Jesus finishes the verse with, “And whoever if ‘her having been dismissed’ he shall marry, he commits adultery.”

The woman, having been dismissed by her husband for a reason that is insufficient in the eyes of God, is now to be considered an adulteress. As such, the person who marries her is committing adultery with her. God still sees the original union in the light of Genesis 2:24 –

“Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”

As this is so, then anyone coming into this union from the outside is violating the union that was first acknowledged as binding by God. One can see why Jesus’ initial word should be “And” not “But.” Jesus is speaking with the authority of God because He is God incarnate.

He is explaining what is and is not appropriate based on Scripture. But He is doing it from more than an interpretive angle. He is setting forth the standard of God, something only God can do.

Life application: Jesus has spoken forth the standard concerning marriage. He has given one exception for divorce which is sexual immorality (translated as harlotry above) on the part of the spouse. This excludes divorces for any other reason. As such, the marriage is expected to be honored regardless of any other situation that has arisen.

This is so contrary to the allowances in society that it seems impossible to imagine, but it is what the word has set forth. As noted, Paul gives his own thoughts on such things in 1 Corinthians 7. What he says there should be taken into consideration as well. But the idea of divorce should be repugnant to Christians, not an option that is always available because the spouse doesn’t measure up to one’s standards in some way or another.

May we be faithful in our marriages, and may we faithfully honor the spouse we chose, thereby honoring God who set forth the idea of marriage at the beginning of man’s time on earth.

Lord God, we are so grateful for Jesus who has cleansed us from all impurity. Each of us has been unfaithful in so many ways. Our eyes look to things they shouldn’t, and our hearts are easily turned away from the right path. Without Jesus, where could we go from our sins? But because of Jesus, there is a cleansing fountain always there to restore us to You. Thank You for Jesus. Amen.

Friday, 6 December 2024

“Furthermore it has been said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ Matthew 5:31

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 it was said that whoever, if he shall dismiss his wife, he gives to her a divorcement” (CG).

In the previous verse, Jesus spoke of what to do when the right hand causes one to sin. He now turns to an issue all too common in the world and which He will show that God’s standard is one that holds the marriage covenant as something binding. That begins in this verse with the words, “And it was said that whoever, if he shall dismiss his wife.”

The subject of divorce is addressed by Moses in Deuteronomy 24. A portion of that teaching says –

“When a man takes a wife and marries her, and it happens that she finds no favor in his eyes because he has found some uncleanness in her, and he writes her a certificate of divorce, puts it in her hand, and sends her out of his house.” Deuteronomy 24:1, 2

Whether Jesus is citing Deuteronomy directly, or a teaching based on Deuteronomy, He is clarifying the matter as it is regarded in God’s eyes. Moses notes finding “some uncleanness in her.” The words in Hebrew signify a “word of nudity.” Thus, they point to some type of shame that has caused the husband to no longer want her.

If this is the case, then “he gives to her a divorcement.” The noun apostasion is used. It signifies a bill of divorce. A single word to convey the meaning is divorcement, a word first found in a translation of the Bible in the early 1500s to meet the translational need for such a word.

This is what was allowed by the Lord through Moses. However, we will see this stated by Jesus in Mark 10 –

“The Pharisees came and asked Him, ‘Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?’ testing Him.
³ And He answered and said to them, ‘What did Moses command you?’
⁴ They said, ‘Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce, and to dismiss her.’
⁵ And Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Because of the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept. ⁶ But from the beginning of the creation, God “made them male and female.” ^7 “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, ⁸ and the two shall become one flesh”; so then they are no longer two, but one flesh. ⁹ Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.’
¹⁰ In the house His disciples also asked Him again about the same matter. ¹¹ So He said to them, ‘Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her. ¹² And if a woman divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.’” Mark 10:2-12

Jesus is not setting aside the law. He is showing that, in this case, the law accommodated the human heart, but that a standard was given prior to the law that was how things were originally intended in the covenant of marriage.

Life application: One can see that marriage was considered a decision uniting two as one. When one commits adultery, the two are no longer one. Likewise, when a divorce is made, it is also taking the one and dividing them again. The standard is that when two are united as one, they are to stay as one.

Although this is Jesus speaking to Israel under the law, the precept predates the law. And more, Paul refers to marriage in 1 Corinthians 7 and clearly states that what Jesus says here is binding.

The reason for this is because these things recorded in the Old Testament are given as types of what God in Christ is also doing –

“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, ²⁶ that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, ²⁷ that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. ²⁸ So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. ²⁹ For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. ³⁰ For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. ^31 ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.’ ³² This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. ³³ Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.” Ephesians 5:25-33

God has covenanted in Christ with those who have come to Him through the New Covenant. The church is the body of believers who have been so joined to Him. God will never break the bond that exists because He is faithful. We have the hope of eternal security because of this. Thank God for what He has done.

Lord God, we are not always faithful in our relationships. Our hearts are drawn away, we lose direction, and we act unfaithfully. But we know it is not so with You. You are ever faithful in Your dealings with Your people. Thank You for the reassurance and security we possess because of this. Amen.

Thursday, 5 December 2024

And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell. Matthew 5:30

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 if your right hand, it entraps you, it – it hew – and it cast from you. For it conduces you that one of your members, it should perish, and not all your body, it should be cast into Gehenna” (CG).

The previous verse spoke of the right eye entrapping a person. If so, it would be more profitable to pluck it out and cast it away than to be cast into Gehenna. Now, Jesus continues with that same theme, saying, “And if your right hand, it entraps you.”

The right side in Scripture, as it is in society today, is considered the more noble, stronger, and more honorable side. As such, Jesus focuses on the right again, as He did with the previous verse. In particular, the right hand signifies the position of authority and power.

The intent here is going from sight (the right eye) to action (the right hand). The person first is entrapped by what he sees, he contemplates what to do, and then he acts, with his right hand, the instrument of his power, to obtain what he has now fixated on.

The right hand, being the hand that is normally the stronger and more used hand, is one of the chief and most important parts of the body. Despite that, Jesus notes that if it were to entrap you, “it – it hew – and it cast from you.”

Jesus uses the same word, ekkoptó, that John the Baptist used in Matthew 3:10 when he said, “And already also, the ax, toward the root of the trees it lies. Therefore, every tree not producing good fruit, it is hewn, and into fire, it is thrown.” It is a word that signifies complete detachment.

One could think of a person taking a big machete with his left hand, laying his right hand on a table, and then hacking it off. And then, as with the right eye, when the member is separated from the body, it should be cast away as if it were mere rubbish.

Jesus then explains why, using the same words as previously, saying, “For it conduces you that one of your members, it should perish, and not all your body, it should be cast into Gehenna.”

Priorities. What are your priorities? Is remaining in sin in this life better than being separated from God for eternity? Is the delight of the temporary sin better than an eternity in torment? This is the substance of what Jesus is conveying to His hearers.

Life application: The repetition of the same concept while using different, but both important, members of the body is an instructional tool. By saying essentially the same thing twice while merely changing the focus from the eye to the right hand, Jesus is stressing the importance of the matter.

The Bible is filled with such repetitions, in individual words, in sentences, in similar concepts, and even in books of the Bible. For example, there are accounts in Kings and Chronicles that greatly overlap. Add in the prophets, and there are even more instances of overlapping.

Having three synoptic gospels is another example of this. The same is true with how Acts and portions of the epistles weave together into a harmoniously presented record of what took place.

The Bible is sending us the same information, in various ways, to help us learn what is essential for understanding what is going on, as well as what is obviously important to God. Different records of the same account also help us to know that what is conveyed has been reliably recorded.

And yet, when the same accounts have variations in the details, we are being asked to contemplate why the variations are there. For many, the immediate thought is, “See, there are contradictions in the Bible.” That is an easy out and it resolves the need for any serious brain effort at all.

But it is also shallow thinking. Such obvious discrepancies in accounts would show that the authors or compilers of the Bible were incompetent doofs. Rather, the differences are given to highlight different aspects of the same narrative, providing additional information to help us see the intricacies of what God has done in the unfolding plan of redemption.

When you come to such accounts, don’t just say, “These don’t match and so they contradict.” Rather, think about why the differences are there. Rich treasure is waiting to be uncovered. You will be rewarded in your studies according to the effort and contemplation you put into them.

Lord God Almighty, the detail and intricacy of Your word is incredible. People have been reading and studying it for thousands of years, and yet new insights come out of it from day to day. It is a treasure trove of wonder and delight. Thank You, O God for Your precious word. Amen.