From the recording Matthew The Gospel An Intimate Review
Lyrics
Letter of Apostle Matthew – The Gospel
An Intimate Review
Pt 13
By Lawrence DeMetrius
Matthew 10:17-33
When Persecution Comes
In this passage, Apostle Matthew writes of challenges early Christians experienced in First Century Rome. He shares insight that remains relevant to all Christians of latter generations. One discipline is to BEWARE of men who possess the inward nature of DOGS and WOLVES.
*beware Gk #4337 prosecho (pros-ekh-o) it means to…
• hold the mind toward and pay attention to
• be cautious about, give or take heed to
• regard, apply oneself to and adhere to
Although there are wicked among common people, Christ is most likely referring to those who hold high seats of influence and authority within a community. In Christ’s day, there were government and religious officials who pronounced persecutions upon Him and those who upheld His teachings. These persecutions were inclusive of the following.
1. Being DELIVERED UP to COUNCILS.
*deliver up Gk #3860 paradidomi (par-ad-id-om-ee) it means to…
• surrender, which is to…
o yield something to the possession or power of another on demand or under duress
o give oneself up as to the police or some influence, course or emotion
o give up, abandon or relinquish comfort and hope
• yield up, which is to give up or over and relinquish or resign as to a superior power or authority
• intrust/entrust, which is to put into the care or protection of another
• transmit, which is to convey, dispatch, send or forward
*councils Gk #4891 sunegeiro (soon-eg-i-ro) it means to…
• rouse from death in company with
• restore or give new life to spiritually
• raise up together or rise with
2. Being SCOURGED in SYNAGOGUES.
*scourge Gk #3164 machomai (makh-om-ahee) it means to war, quarrel, dispute, fight and strive with
*synagogues Gk #4864 sunagoge (soon-ag-o-gay) it is an assemblage of persons, specifically a Hebrew meeting or place of assemblage and a Christian church
*governors Gk #2232 hegemon (hayg-em-ohn) it is a leader or chief person of a province
*kings Gk #935 basileus (bas-il-yooce) it is a sovereign, which is a…
• Monarch, king, queen or another supreme ruler
• person who has supreme power or authority
• group or body of persons or a state having sovereign authority
Jesus Christ and the Twelve Apostles were brought before GOVERNORS and KINGS of their day. However, this was mainly so because the Holy Ghost had to relay a message to these leaders at that time. [Mt 10:18-20; St Jn 16:7-11]
3. Being DELIVER UP to DEATH even by their closest of kin due to their allegiance to Christ. [Mt 10:21]
*death Gk #2289 thanatoo (than-at-o-o) it means to kill, become dead or cause to be put to death
4. Be HATED for the NAME sake of Jesus Christ. [Mt 10:22-33]
*hated Gk #3404 miseo (mis-eh-o) it means to detest, persecute and love less
*name Gk #3686 onoma (on-om-ah) it is literally or figuratively one’s name, authority and character
The brethren of Christ are not to FEAR their opposers. Christ said nothing COVERED will go UNREVEALED and nothing HID go UNKNOWN. They are to SPEAK in the LIGHT what He TELLS them in DARKNESS. They are also to PREACH on the HOUSETOP what He whispers in their EAR. [Mt 10:26, 27] Teachers of GOD are feared because they disclose secrets they are not expected to know. However, because nothing is HIDDEN to THE LORD, nothing is UNDISCLOSED before HIM.
*fear Gk # 5399 phobeo (fob-eh-o) it means to frighten, be alarmed or in awe of
*covered Gk #2572 kalupto (kal-oop-to) it means to cover up and hide
*revealed Gk #601 apokalupto (ap-ok-al-oop-to) it means to disclose or take off the cover
*hid Gk #2927 kruptos (kroop-tos) it means private or concealed
*known Gk #1097 ginosko (ghin-oce-ko) it means to know absolutely
*speak Gk #2036 epo (e-po) it means to speak or say by word or writing
*light Gk #5457 phos (foce) it is luminousness [Mt 5:14-16; Philip 2:16a]
*tell Gk #3004 lego (leg-o) it means to lay forth or relate in words, usually in a systematic or set discourse [Mt 28:19, 20; Dan 12:3, 10]
*darkness Gk #4653 skotia (sko-tee-ah) it is dimness and obscurity
*preach Gk #2784 kerusso (kay-roos-so) it means to herald as a public crier, especially the Gospel of Jesus Christ
*housetops Gk #1430 doma (do-mah) it is an edifice, specifically a roof, a large building of imposing appearance and any large complex system or organization [Mt 16:18]
*hear Gk #191 akouo (ak-oo-o) it means to hear, which is to…
• perceive or learn by the ear or by being told
• be informed of, listen, give or pay attention to
*ear Gk #3775 ous (ooce) it is the physical and mental ear
Brethren of Christ are not to FEAR them who can KILL the BODY but HE WHO can DESTROY both BODY and SOUL in HELL FIRE. [Mt 10:28-31]
*kill Gk #615 apokteino (ap-ok-ti-no) it means to kill outright and destroy
*body Gk #4983 soma (so-mah) it is the mortal body as a sound whole [I Thes 5:23]
*soul Gk #5590 psuche (psoo-khay) it is breath, the spirit or animal sentient principle only, heart, mind, soul and real essence of a person
*destroy Gk #622 apollumi (ap-ol-loo-mee) it means to fully destroy, perish and lose
*hell Gk #1067 geena (ghe-en-nah) it is the place or state of everlasting punishment
In [Mat 10:32, 33] Christ advises that He will openly CONFESS His association with those who openly CONFESSED their association with Him before Yahweh, on The Final Day of Judgment. However, He will DENY association with all who DENIED association with Him on The Final Day of Judgment.
*confess Gk #3670 homologeo (hom-ol-og-eh-o) it means to acknowledge, assent and covenant with [Isa 1:18-22]
*deny Gk #720 arneomai (ar-neh-om-ahee) it means to contradict, disown, reject or renounce
Just as it takes a confession to initiate fellowship with Christ, it takes heartfelt denial of Him to reject or annul one’s relationship with Him. Thus, by one’s word they are justified or condemned. Indeed, the power of one’s own life and death is in their own tongue. [Mt 12:37; Rm 10:9, 10; Pro 18:21] Per [Mt 10:34-36] Christ came to pronounce WAR and JUDICIAL punishment on all that opposes divine rule. However, He was not sent by Yahweh to judge or condemn mortals. [St Jn 3:16-18] The sheep of GOD’S flock know that believing and obeying HIS Word secures abundant life. [Jn 12:45-50] Christ assures that whosoever receives His teachers in His Name will receive their REWARDS. [Mt 10:40-42]
*reward Gk #3408 misthos (mis-thos) it is pay for services rendered
Administering the divine Gospel can invoke extreme challenges because it is the SWORD that causes great divides, even amongst the closest of kin. In some geographical areas the preaching of Christ’s Gospel is still considered treason and punishable by death. [Mt 10:34-39] In fact, Christ said He came to earth not to SEND PEACE but a SWORD which many would oppose.
*send Gk #906 ballo (bal-lo) it means to throw
*peace Gk #1515 eirene (i-ray-nay) it is peace and prosperity
*sword Gk #3162 machaira (makh-ahee-rah) it is a knife, war and judicial punishment
True Christian teachers are admonished to remain faithful to Christ even during persecution. He advises that whosoever LOVES their relatives more than Him are not WORTHY of Him. [Mt 10:37] He also advised that anyone who does not TAKE UP their CROSS and FOLLOW Him is also not WORTHY of Him.
*loveth Gk#5368 phileo (fil-eh-o) it means to…
• be a friend to or fond of an individual
• have affection for (denoting personal attachment, as a matter of sentiment or feeling)
• chiefly of the heart and not so much the head
*worthy Gk#514 axios (ax-ee-os) it means deserving, comparable and suitable as if drawing praise
*taketh Gk#2983 lambano (lam-ban-o) it means to take and get hold of
*cross Gk #4716 stauros (stow-ros) it is…
1. a stake or post as set upright
2. a pole or cross as an instrument of capital punishment
3. figurative of exposure to death and self-denial
4. implication of the atonement of Jesus Christ
*followeth Gk#190 akoloutheo (ak-ol-oo-theh-o) it means to be in the same way with and to accompany as a disciple
All who FIND his LIFE i.e., his own manner of living outside of Christ, will LOSE it and those who LOSE their LIFE for Christ’s sake will FIND it. [Mt 10:39]
*findeth/find Gk #2147 heureo (hyoo-reh-o) it means to perfectly, wholly, and completely FIND, which is to…
1. come upon by chance and meet with
2. locate, attain or obtain by search or effort
3. locate or recover something lost or misplaced
4. discover or perceive after consideration
5. gain or regain the use of
6. ascertain by study or calculation
7. feel and become aware of oneself as being in a condition or location
*life Gk #5590 psuche (psoo-khay) it is breath, spirit or the animal sentient principle only, meaning the conscious mind
*lose/loseth Gk #622 apollumi (ap-ol-loo-mee) it means to fully destroy, perish, and lose
This passage gives credence to the importance of faithfulness and perseverance in effective Christian ministry.
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