MATTHEW CHAPTER 7 - Part 1

� 2001 William R. Cunningham
April 29, 2001

PURPOSE AND INTRODUCTION

Jesus' teachings from the Sermon on the Mount are invaluable for the Christian to understand the Kingdom of God.� Jesus reveals the operation and conduct in the Kingdom of God to all those who would listen.� The information that can be acquired here will help the Christian to know for themselves what the Kingdom of God is like and therefore how to conduct themselves as God's people.

The purpose of this study Guide is to present to you the teachings of Jesus Christ found in Matthew chapter 7.� It is recommended that you read Matthew chapters five through seven for a more complete picture of these teachings.

Context

Jesus dealt with conduct within the Kingdom of God for the most part in chapter six.� He continues his teaching on conduct in the Kingdom of God and applying it to a lifestyle and basic social operations.

Judging others (Verses 1-2)

These are profound scriptures that are really misunderstood (verses 1-2).� See also Luke 11:9-13.

Matthew 7:1 through Matthew 7:2 (NKJV) 1"Judge not, that you be not judged. 2For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.

What is Jesus saying here?� Is he teaching us not to judge others?� I believe that it is very unlikely that Jesus was telling us that we should not judge others in an absolute sense. Since distinction and determination is important in knowing what is of God and what is not of God.� This reasoning is consistent with Matthew 7:5-6, 16; 1 Corinthians 5:5; and 1 John 4:1.� So what is Jesus telling us here?

I believe that a good way of deciphering this scripture, or any scripture, is to break it down into parts.� A primary way of doing that is to define the key word or words of the scripture, which will then enable you to correctly or more accurately interpret the scripture.� It is a very dangerous practice to assume you know the meaning of a scripture and all the words used in that scripture.� It is much safer to define the key words of the scripture as well as background and cultural information, if needed, so that you can accurately interpret what is written.

Therefore, let's define the key words in the above scripture.� The key words to the subject scripture are listed below.

1. Judge
2. Judgment
3. Measure

The word judge comes from the Greek word krino and it means to distinguish, i.e. decide (mentally or judicially); by implication to try, condemn, punish, conclude, damn, decree, determine.� The Thayer Greek dictionary defines krino as, to separate, put asunder, to pick out, select, choose; to approve, esteem, to prefer; to be of opinion, deem, think, to determine, resolve, decree, to pronounce an opinion concerning right and wrong.� The word judge therefore can best be thought of as making a conclusion about something (right or wrong, etc.).�

The word judgment comes from the Greek word krima, which means a decision (the function or the effect, for or against ["crime"]).� Notice that this word is different from the word for judge and judged.

The word measure denotes an instrument used for measuring; a vessel for receiving and determining the quantity of things; a graduated staff for measuring; a measuring rod; proverbially, the rule or standard of judgment; determined extent, portion measured off, limit.� Therefore, the word measure denotes generally the standard that is used to judge (distinguish, condemn, etc.).

Now let's put these things together and interpret the scripture.� In effect, from our definitions, Jesus is saying that if we don't judge people then they will not judge us.� However, whatever method or standard that we use to make decisions and conclusions about people, then that same standard will be used against us.

Note the use of the word "that."� The word "that" used in this verse implies that judging others will cause others to judge you and likewise not judging others will have the affect of others not judging you.� Though Jesus doesn't come right out and say not to judge, He does appear to be admonishing us to not judge.

Note also the use of the word "for."� Jesus said, "don't judge and you won't be judged. For."� This word joins Jesus' previous statement about judging others to the affect that judging others will have on us.� Don't judge and you won't be judged.� However, if you do judge others then rest assured that whatever standard you used to judge them will be applied in judgment against you.

Also notice that Jesus does not say whether we should judge or not.� That doesn't appear to be the issue here.� The issue appears to be the results of the practice of judging others.� If we draw conclusions about someone then we should expect the same process to be applied to us.� In other words, if we judge then people will judge us.�

Let me paraphrase this scripture based on what we have learned so far.

Don't judge others so that they won't judge you.� However you judge others will be how they judge you.� Whatever you use to judge others will be used to judge you.

Clouded Judgment (Verses 3-5)

Matthew 7:3 through Matthew 7:5 (NKJV) 3And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? 4Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me remove the speck from your eye'; and look, a plank is in your own eye? 5Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.

Let's look at some key words in this scripture as well.� The key words are listed below.

1. Speck (mote in the King James Version)
2. Plank (beam in the King James Version)

Let's define the word "speck" this from the King James Version, which uses the word "mote."� The Greek word here is karphos and it denotes a dry twig or straw.� Some liken it to a toothpick.

The word "plank" (beam in the King James Version) is exactly what it says.� It denotes a timber or stick used to hold something up, i.e., a beam.

So the picture that Jesus gives us is of someone that is concerned about a little twig of someone else and is not concerned about his or her own plank or beam.� Applying this picture to the context of this scripture implies someone that is judging small issues pertaining to someone else and is not concerned about or does not notice the large issue pertaining to himself or herself.� It's like condemning someone because they have a habit of jaywalking and yet you routinely break all traffic laws.

It is easy to find faults in someone else and not see our own faults.� Further, it is improper to judge someone else when our own faults clouds our judgment processes.� For example, a sexually immoral person is ill equipped to judge the sexual morals of another.� Consider what Paul says regarding this type of judging

Romans 2:1 through Romans 2:3 (NKJV) 1Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. 2But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things. 3And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God?

People judge other and yet do the same thing or equally wrong thing.

This scripture also seems to imply that Jesus was referring to a particular audience.� Perhaps he was addressing the religious leaders at the time who were full of judgment.� They also did not see their own problems, which were evidently many.

We should deal with our own faults before we even think about dealing with the faults of someone else.� This brings up an interesting question.� When will we be faultless enough to be able to "see" clearly to deal with someone else's fault (from a judgmental perspective)?� When will we be able to discern clearly?� That is indeed something to think about.

Lesson Learned (Verses 1-5)

Does this mean that we shouldn't judge others?� Should I not make decisions about the morality, spirituality, righteousness, and ethics of others?� The truth of the matter is that we will never be able to pass fair judgments on anyone.� We will always be subject to our own prejudices, dispositions, indoctrinations, misunderstandings, limited information, and much more.� We can never truly make a fair or accurate judgment of anything.� So why practice something that is not sure at best?� Why indulge into something that is therefore meaningless.

The message in these first five verses appears to be direct at those who make it a practice to pass judgment on others.� I would also venture to say that Jesus' comments are directed at things pertaining to religious conduct because he appears to have directed his admonition about judging to those who were already doing it, which were primarily the religious leaders (who were present during the sermon).

It is unlikely that Jesus is instructing us to never judge others.� There are other scriptures that even support the idea of judging, howbeit in from a different perspective.� For example, Matthew 7:15-16 give us a way to discern false prophets from true prophets (speakers of God's word).� This is the act of judging in a sense.� We have to judge whether a person is a false prophet or not.� Even in Christian lifestyle and conduct issues we must determine what is the way that we should go.� This might involve judging others in a sense.� For example, we might not want to hang around certain people because of their lifestyle.� However, this determination is based on the evidence that we have and therefore accepted according to what Jesus said in Matthew 7:15-16 and similar scriptures.

We will always have to determine and decide things pertaining to others.� We will always have to develop an opinion about someone.� However, this judgment applies to Christian lifestyle issues and not as a sentence on the person.� For example, it wouldn't be appropriate to say, "He is of the Devil and therefore should be shunned."� Instead we could say, "He is a liar so I can't believe what he says with reasonable confidence" or "He hangs with thieves so it is best for me not to hang with him."� In the former case we condemn the person but in the latter case we make a decision based on real information.

Overall, however, Jesus' message is clear.� We should not practice judging each other and in developing a final opinion or sentence.� The same way we judge others is the same way that they will judge us.� Also, we cannot condemn others for their small (insignificant) faults when we have a huge (significant) fault of our own.

Pearls before swine (Verse 6)

Matthew 7:6 (NKJV) 6"Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.

I think it is most beneficial to understand how someone during Jesus' time would have comprehended the use of the words "dog" and "swine."� We have to remember that this scripture was written in a completely different time period and culture then what you are in now.

Holy

The word "holy" means something that is sacred (physically pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially consecrated).

Pearls

The word pearls used in this verse comes from a Greek word that means a pearl or a proverb (a word of great value).

Dogs

In ancient Israel, the dog was not "man's best friend."� In fact, calling someone a dog was one of the most offensive ways of insulting that person.� The Bible mentions dogs frequently; most of the references are derogatory.� Dogs were scavengers and would eat even human blood.� Even in New Testament times, Jews called Gentiles "dogs" (Matthew 15:26).� The term "dog" also referred to a male prostitute (Deuteronomy 23:18).� Stray dogs were known to growl at those who tossed them food as well as those who ignored them.� They would in affect bite the hand that fed them.

The Jews probably would have understood the term "dog" to mean a Gentile or heathen.� A gentile referred to a foreigner (See Matthew 15:26).� The Jews thought of foreigners as being without the true God since they considered themselves as exclusively God's chosen people.

Swine

A swine was a domesticated pig (swine) raised in Palestine-by Gentiles or unorthodox Jews.� Pigs were ceremonially unclean, supposedly because they did not "chew the cud."� They were the symbol of greed and filth.� The word swine also symbolized a person's unredeemed nature (2 Peter 2:22).

We can also see that a person during Jesus' time would have considered a person referred to as a pig to be either a gentile, greedy (selfish or self-centered) or someone who is filthy (perhaps with sin or uncleanness).� It would have had a negative connotation at the very least.

Contradiction?

Jesus appears to be saying not to speak words of wisdom per se' or words of great value to those who are gentiles (ungodly).� However, this appears to contradict what Jesus just said, which is recorded in verses one thru five.� How can we say who are swine or dogs unless we pass judgment on them?� However, Jesus just admonished us not to judge others.� Is this a contradiction?

Perhaps this scripture means to not correct those who would not listen (see Prov. 23:9). Perhaps it means giving only to those who want what one offers, as God does.� In this case the text returns to the idea of giving and of reciprocity (the seed principle.

The bottom line here is that there are no contradictions.� We have to interpret this scripture in light of the context.� Also remember that Jesus is not telling us whether we should judge or not, though he admonishes us not to.� We can make judgment pertaining to someone's activities (fruit).� However, we shouldn't condemn them (pass judgment).

Conclusion

What have we learned from Matthew 7:1-5?� We learned that we should not practice condemning people, i.e., judging them.� We found that if we judge others then they will judge us in like manner.� Whatever standard (measure) we use to judge others is the same standard (measure) that will be used to judge us.� We also noted that no one is really qualified to pass judgment on anyone.� However, if we are going to point out a fault in someone, we should be careful that we aren't clouded by our own faults. �Don't give words of wisdom, so to speak, to those who will not receive it because they will only turn against you or treat the words with contempt.

It also appears that the message might have been directed at religious leaders who were very judgmental of people.� They held themselves above all in the area of piousness though they were far from being truly righteous themselves.� We can learn the same lesson though.� Do not judge so that you won't be judged.� It is one thing to point out something that is harmful or even inconsistent with the Christian faith.� It is another thing to condemn someone for his or her activities or faults.� The former leads to edification while the latter lends itself condemnation and destruction.