Matthew / 5

  • The Scope of the Sixth Commandment

    Matthew 5:21–26

    The sixth commandment does not forbid all anger, for there is a place for righteous anger, as we will discuss next week. But the sixth commandment warns us that what we consider righteous anger may very well be sinful anger ...Read More

  • Jesus’ Teaching on Oaths

    Matthew 5:33–37

    Jesus’ teaching leads us to conclude that it is better not to make a vow than to swear an oath that we have no intention of keeping. It also reinforces the point that oaths and vows should not be made ...Read More

  • Law and Gospel

    Matthew 5:17–20

    Answer 86 of the Heidelberg Catechism emphasizes that we do good works because the God who justifies us also gives us His Spirit to conform us more and more to the image of Jesus Christ. Our Lord saves us from ...Read More

  • Blessed are the Peacemakers

    Matthew 5:9

    It is important to note that the peacemaking that reveals our status as God’s children is peacemaking concerned to promote an authentic, holy peace. The false prophets of Israel promised a fake, ungodly peace, and many people today want ...Read More

  • Blessed are the Meek

    Matthew 5:5

    Dr. Sproul notes that all of us, no matter our position, have some kind of authority over other creatures — even if it is just over a pet. No matter the degree of authority we possess, the arrogant, selfish exercise of ...Read More

  • Blessed are Those Who Mourn

    Matthew 5:4

    Though Jesus was a man of sorrows, He was able to endure suffering and pain because He knew that “out of the anguish of his soul” He would “see and be satisfied” (Isa. 53:11). We will never have to ...Read More

  • The Poor in Spirit

    Matthew 5:1–3

    God’s presence is felt most strongly in the kingdom of heaven, which was inaugurated in Christ’s ministry and will be consummated at His return. Entry into this kingdom and, ultimately, seeing God’s beauty face to face comes ...Read More

  • The Standard of Perfection

    Matthew 5:43–48

    John Calvin also writes regarding today’s passage: “Christ assures us, that this will be a mark of our adoption, if we are kind to the unfaithful and evil.” Just as God’s love for His enemies does not mean ...Read More

  • Retaliation and the Kingdom

    Matthew 5:38–42

    The last point of Matthew Henry’s quote is important since there are times when seeking reparation may in fact be the best way to love our neighbor and keep him from sinning further. Such occasions, however, will be few ...Read More

  • Vows and Proper Intent

    Matthew 5:33–37

    Matthew Henry writes that “the frequent requiring and using of oaths, is a poor reflection on Christians, who should be of such acknowledged fidelity, as that their sober words should be as sacred as their solemn oaths.” Believers are to ...Read More

  • Divorce and Adultery

    Matthew 5:31–32

    John Calvin reminds us that “the bond of marriage is too sacred to be dissolved at the will, or rather at the licentious pleasure, of men.” Many issues can drive spouses to despair and contemplate an unbiblical divorce. That is ...Read More

  • Adultery of the Heart

    Matthew 5:27–30

    Unfortunately, lust is rampant in the church today, and many are in bondage to pornography and other sexual sins. If this is a problem for you, cut off your access to outlets where you may find temptation. Whether or not ...Read More

  • The Full Meaning of Moses

    Matthew 5:21–26

    Matthew Henry writes that the Pharisees made the fundamental error in thinking that “the divine law prohibited only the sinful act, not the sinful thought.” The unseen sins of the mind and heart are the easiest for us to justify ...Read More

  • The Fulfillment of the Law

    Matthew 5:17–20

    The distinction between the civil, ceremonial, and moral laws of the Mosaic code is not so clear on the pages of Scripture. Nevertheless, the distinction is a helpful tool for applying this law to our lives today. We study the ...Read More

  • Salt and Light

    Matthew 5:13–16

    Christ’s call for us to be salt and light is not an impossible one. In keeping with New Testament ethics, Jesus first tells us what we are and then calls us to live up to that standard. In Him ...Read More