Matthew 5: 21-30

The Disciple’s Integrity – Heart over Habit

Focus: First two contrasts—anger (murder of the heart) and lust (adultery of the heart)

Why this section: These two sins erode unit cohesion and personal holiness. By isolating them, the group can address explosive tempers and sexual temptation with honesty and repentance drills. (c/o CMF)

Personal Relationships

21 “You have heard that [k]the ancients were told, ‘You shall not commit murder’ and ‘Whoever commits murder shall be [l]liable to the court.’ SEE EXODUS 20, THE 10 COMMANDMENTS. THERE IS A TENSION BETWEEN MURDERING AND KILLING.

22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be [m]guilty before the court (SANHEDRIN;) and whoever says to his brother, ‘[n]You good-for-nothing,’ shall be [o]guilty before [p]the supreme court; and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ shall be [q]guilty enough to go into the [r]fiery hell. WE HAVE TO BE CAREFUL ABOUT ANGER AND CALLING NAMES.

23 Therefore if you are presenting your [s]offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, IN THE OLD TESTAMENT THEY BROUGHT PHYSICAL OFFERINGS TO THE SYNAGOGUE. NOW WE MAY GIVE IN AN OFFERING PLATE/BOX OR ONLINE.

24 leave your [t]offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your [u]offering. I DON’T REMEMBER PASTORS TELLING US TO DO THIS.

25 Make friends quickly with your opponent at law while you are with him on the way, so that your opponent may not hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the officer, and you be thrown into prison.2 SAMUEL 17:3 STATES FOR US TO "BE AT PEACE."

26 Truly I say to you, you will not come out of there until you have paid up the last [v]cent. (quadrans (equaling two mites); i.e. 1/64 of a daily wage) a. I MET A MINIMUM SECURITY INMATE IN FOR A $10 MILLION CELL PHONE FRAUD.

27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery’; but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PREMARITAL SEX AND ADULTERY.

29 If your right eye makes you [w]stumble, tear it out and throw it from you; for it is better for you [x]to lose one of the parts of your body, [y]than for your whole body to be thrown into [z]hell. THIS IS AN EXAGGERATION TO MAKE A POINT. ORIGEN REFERENCE.

30 If your right hand makes you [aa]stumble, cut it off and throw it from you; for it is better for you [Bb]to lose one of the parts of your body, [ac]than for your whole body to go into [ad]hell. WE MAY HAVE TO SET BOUNDARIES IN OUR LIVES TO PROTECT OURSELVES AND OTHERS.

FOOTNOTES

Matthew 5:22 Or empty-head; Gr Raka (Raca) fr Aram reqa

Matthew 5:22 Or liable to

Matthew 5:22 Lit the Sanhedrin

Matthew 5:22 Or liable to

Matthew 5:22 Lit Gehenna of fire

Matthew 5:23 Or gift

Matthew 5:24 Or gift

Matthew 5:24 Or gift

Matthew 5:26 Lit quadrans (equaling two mites); i.e. 1/64 of a daily wage

Matthew 5:29 I.e. sin

Matthew 5:29 Lit that one...be lost

Matthew 5:29 Lit not your whole body

Matthew 5:29 Gr Gehenna

Matthew 5:30 I.e. sin

Matthew 5:30 Lit that one...be lost

Matthew 5:30 Lit not your whole body

Matthew 5:30 Gr Gehenna