HelpFinder Bible - Flipbook - Page 1235
M ATTHEW 6
page 865
notice of divorce.’* 32 But I say that a man who
divorces his wife, unless she has been unfaithful, causes her to commit adultery. And anyone
who marries a divorced woman also commits
adultery.
Teaching about Vows
33 “You have also heard that our ancestors were
told, ‘You must not break your vows; you must
carry out the vows you make to the Lord.’*
34 But I say, do not make any vows! Do not say,
‘By heaven!’ because heaven is God’s throne.
35 And do not say, ‘By the earth!’ because the
earth is his footstool. And do not say, ‘By Jerusalem!’ for Jerusalem is the city of the great
King. 36 Do not even say, ‘By my head!’ for you
can’t turn one hair white or black. 37 Just say a
simple, ‘Yes, I will,’ or ‘No, I won’t.’ Anything
beyond this is from the evil one.
Teaching about Revenge
38 “You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: ‘An eye for an eye,
and a tooth for a tooth.’* 39 But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the
right cheek, offer the other cheek also. 40 If you
are sued in court and your shirt is taken from
you, give your coat, too. 41 If a soldier demands
that you carry his gear for a mile,* carry it two
miles. 42 Give to those who ask, and don’t turn
away from those who want to borrow.
Teaching about Love for Enemies
43 “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your
neighbor’* and hate your enemy. 44 But I say,
love your enemies!* Pray for those who persecute you! 45 In that way, you will be acting as
true children of your Father in heaven. For he
gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good,
and he sends rain on the just and the unjust
alike. 46 If you love only those who love you,
what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax
collectors do that much. 47 If you are kind only
to your friends,* how are you different from
anyone else? Even pagans do that. 48 But you
are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven
is perfect.
Teaching about Giving to the Needy
“Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will
lose the reward from your Father in heaven.
2 When you give to someone in need, don’t do
as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in
the synagogues and streets to call attention to
their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they
6
5:31 Deut 24:1. 5:33 Num 30:2. 5:38 Greek the law that
says: ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ Exod 21:24;
Lev 24:20; Deut 19:21. 5:41 Greek milion [4,854 feet or 1,478
meters]. 5:43 Lev 19:18. 5:44 Some manuscripts add
Bless those who curse you. Do good to those who hate you.
Compare Luke 6:27-28. 5:47 Greek your brothers. 6:11 Or
Give us today our food for the day; or Give us today our food
for tomorrow.
have received all the reward they will ever get.
when you give to someone in need, don’t
let your left hand know what your right hand
is doing. 4 Give your gifts in private, and your
Father, who sees everything, will reward you.
3 But
Teaching about Prayer and Fasting
5 “When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites
who love to pray publicly on street corners
and in the synagogues where everyone can see
them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward
they will ever get. 6 But when you pray, go away
by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray
to your Father in private. Then your Father, who
sees everything, will reward you.
7 “When you pray, don’t babble on and on as
the Gentiles do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again
and again. 8 Don’t be like them, for your Father
knows exactly what you need even before you
ask him! 9 Pray like this:
10
11
Our Father in heaven,
may your name be kept holy.
May your Kingdom come soon.
May your will be done on earth,
as it is in heaven.
Give us today the food we need,*
• Conflict
M ATTHE W 5:43-48
Why should we love our enemies and
pray for them? When two sides are
unwilling to bend, there are only two
options: move toward peace (which
involves humility and compromise) or
move toward war (which involves stubborn pride and rigidness). Whether
between nations or individuals, war is
fought at great personal price and with
tragic consequences. Although loving our
enemies is difficult, it is the most productive, peaceful course in the long run.
• Justice
M ATTHE W 5:43-45
Justice punishes evil, crime, and wrongdoing. Mercy forgives them. One of the
hardest things we can do is forgive someone who has wronged us. But it is only
through experiencing forgiveness that
one can clearly see God’s great gift of
salvation. Your mercy may be just what
someone needs to be ushered into
God’s Kingdom.