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Letter of Apostle Matthew – The Gospel
An Intimate Review
Pt 2
By Lawrence DeMetrius
Matthew 5:13-16
Salt Of the Earth
In this passage, Apostle Matthew writes of Christ teaching His disciples to be influential in their communities. He expressed this by likening them to SAVOURY SALT.
*salt Gk #217 halas (ha-las) it is a constituent of seawater, used as a seasoning for food, preservative, purgative, restorative and is figurative of wit and wisdom
*lost savour Gk #3471 moraino (mo-rah-ee-no) it means to…
• become insipid, which is dull, tasteless, without flavor, not exciting or interesting
• make as a simpleton or fool, which is one who is stupid, meaning…
• lacking of ordinary quickness and keenness of mind
• characterized by or proceeding from mental dullness and senselessness
• pointless and lacking in meaning
• annoying, irritating and troublesome
• stupefied or in a state of unconsciousness
• one who is silly, meaning…
o weak-minded or lacking good sense
o absurd, ridiculous and irrational
o stunned, dazed, weak or helpless
• a jester, which is a…
o person given to witticisms, jokes and pranks
o professional fool or clown
• a victim, which is a person…
o who suffers from a destructive, injurious action or agency
o who is deceived or cheated by their own emotions, ignorance, dishonesty of others or some impersonal agency
o person or living creature sacrificed in religious rites
*salted Gk #233 halizo (hal-id-zo) it means to season, cure, preserve, treat, furnish with salt and is figurative of adding interest or excitement to
It is an awesome thing to become a regenerate mind and inherit divine insight. Those one who choose to relinquish this favorable disposition, place themselves back in the STUPEFIED and UNREGENERATE state. Christ asked, “Where can one SALT with SALT that has LOST ITS SAVOUR?” Then He advised that UNSAVORY SALT is good for nothing but to be CAST OUT and TRODDEN UNDER THE FOOT of men.
*cast out Gk #906 ballo (bal-lo) it means to violently and intensely throw out
*trodden under the feet Gk # katapateo (kat-ap-at-eh-o) it means to trample down and reject with scorn beneath one’s feet, that which lacks dignity, is low and worthless
Matthew 5:14-16
Light Of the World
Those who heed and obey the teaching of Jesus Christ are likened to LIGHTS SHINING in a dark WORLD.
*light Gk #5457 phos (foce) it is luminousness, which means shining, bright, radiating or reflecting light, well-lighted, illuminated or lighted up, enlightened, enlightening and intellectually brilliant
*world Gk #2889 kosmos (kos-mos) it is an orderly arrangement, decoration and by implication is the world including its inhabitants
Christ also likens His brethren to a well-lit city that is set on a hill. Wherever they are present, they reflect the divine insight imparted to them by Yahweh, through Christ and the Holy Ghost. It is impossible for true Christians to go about unnoticed. Christ admonishes them to let their GOOD WORKS and LIGHT SHINE, so others may be inspired to GLORIFY Yahweh from within their own souls.
*shine Gk #2989 lampo (lam-po) it means to send out rays of light and radiate brilliance, which is excellent distinction of one’s physical or mental ability, exceptional talent, splendor and magnificence [Ps 139:14]
*good Gk #2570 kalos (ka-los) it means beautiful, valuable and virtuous for appearance and use
*works Gk #2041 ergates (er-gat-ace) it is an act and toil as an effort or occupation
*glorify Gk #1392 doxazo (dox-ad-zo) it means to render and esteem glorious
Matthew 5:17-20
Jesus Christ, the Mosaic Law and Prophets
Jesus Christ clearly recognized the Mosaic Law and writings of the ancient Hebrew prophets who testify of Him. It was never His intent to DESTROY but FULFILL them. In fact, He declared that heaven and earth would not pass away until He did.
*destroy Gk #2647 kataluo (kat-al-oo-o) it means to loosen down and demolish
*fulfill Gk #4137 pleroo (play-ro-o) it means to…
• make replete, cram as into a net or level up as a hallow
• furnish, imbue, diffuse and influence
• satisfy or execute an office and finish a period or task
• verify or coincide with a prediction
Those who BREAK these directives and TEACH others to do so, are considered the LEAST in Yahweh’s perspective. However, they who DO and TEACH them are the GREATEST.
*break Gk #3089 luo (loo-o) it means to loosen, break up, destroy, dissolve, and put off
*teach Gk # 1321 didasko (did-as-ko) it means to impart knowledge and give instruction or skill in
*least Gk #1646 elachistos (el-akh-is-tos) it means the least in size, amount, and dignity
*do Gk #4160 poieo (poy-eh-o) it means to make or do
*great Gk #3173 megas (meg-as) it means big, exceedingly great, high, large, mighty and loud
There were some in Israel who considered themselves of high-ranking nobility before GOD and people. However, they were not in Yahweh’s perspective, because they failed to personally adhere to HIS directives, even while enforcing them upon others. These hypocrites were also more concerned with practicing traditions of men. [Mt 15:2, 3, 6 Isa 64:6]
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