Matthew 5:48, what does this mean?

[rcorlew]

Matthew 5:48 Therefore, you be perfect even as your Father in Heaven is perfect.

How can we be perfect, has anyone but Jesus been considered perfect?

 

[chosenpath]

We Strive to become perfect. To offer ourselves as holy and unblemmished to God.
Luke 13:24
"Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able.

Acts 24:16
This [being] so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men.
Ephesians 5:1-10
Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them For you were once darkness, but now [you are] light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit [is] in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.

Ephesians 5:25-27
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word,
that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.

 

[Bobinator]

Romans 8:[14] For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

One must be led by God's Spirit to walk in perfection. You cannot achieve perfection by your own efforts. If you are in tune with God's Spirit and obey, then you are being led by the Spirit of God, and is therefore walking as the son of God did in perfection.

 

[rcorlew]

As it seems from the verses that were posted, to be perfect means to be perfect in love. That perfection will be within the heart of one who is truly following the love of God.

 

[Strong in Him]

I read somewhere that in the Greek that word means "complete, fulfilled". I can't remember what else was said about it, I'd need to find the commentary again. But I think this is also what is behind the verse in Hebrews about Jesus being made perfect through suffering. He had to experience suffering so that he could fully and completely enter into our world/experience/emotions, not because he needed it to make him a sinless person.

 

[OzSpen]

rcorlew,

Matthew 5:48 Therefore, you be perfect even as your Father in Heaven is perfect.
How can we be perfect, has anyone but Jesus been considered perfect?

I read NT Greek and have taught it at the Bible College level.

The word translated "perfect" in Matt. 5:48 is teleios. It comes from the root word, telos, which means "end, goal, limit." Thus it refers to the goal that is set before us as Christians which is the absolute standard of our heavenly Father, God Himself. A. T. Robertson, a Greek scholar, says that "the word is used also for relative perfection as of adults compared with children" (Word Pictures in the New Testament, vol. 1, Broadman Press, 1930, p. 49).

However, the "bible" of Greek word studies is Gerhard Kittel & Gerhard Friedrich (eds.) (transl. Geoffrey Bromiley), Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, Eerdmans1972. This explains the meaning of teleios as "totality . . . The one who does the 'whole' will of God . . . the heart which is 'undivided' in obedience to God. . . The attitude behind the question: 'What lack I yet?' . . . The rich young ruler is not undivided in relation to God. 'Geing whole' manifests itself in concrete behaviour: to be undivided in relation to God includes detaching oneself from that which separates from God. . . . In Mt. 5:48, the 'whole' applies to conduct in relation to men. God is fully 'undivided' in this. . . As God is unrestricted in His goodness, so according to v. 48 the disciples of Jesus should be 'total' in their love, bringing even their enemies within its compass" (vol. 8, pp. 73-74).

I hope that that helps to explain "perfect" as meaning pursuing being whole in concrete godly behaviour.

Sincerely,
OzSpen

 

[A Brother In Christ]

Matt 5-7 is about the 1000 yr kingdom

 

[visionary]

I believe perfect is a state of being totally in God... Just as Pentecost is taste of the experience... Yeshua lived it and promised us that we would too be able to live it.

 

[A Brother In Christ]

context please

 

[OzSpen]

A Brother in Christ,

Of Matt. 5:48, you wrote:

Matt 5-7 is about the 1000 yr kingdom

Would you please provide the context that indicates that this refers to the Millennium of 1,000 years?

In D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones masterly exposition, "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" (Eerdmans 1971), in his introduction he states that there are three major interpretations of Matt. 5-7 that answer the questions: For whom is the sermon on the Mount intended? To whom does it apply? What is its relevance?

These three views are:
1. The "social gospel" view in which Matt 5-7 is the "Only thing that matters in the New Testament" (p. 13). This view, which I reject, is that these are the principles that are laid down for all people to live and our job is to apply them to life. The "social gospel" interpretation means that we can produce the kingdom of God on earth -- war will be eliminated and our suffering and trials will be eliminated as we apply them. You and I know that this can't happen and hasn't happened.

2. Matt 5-7 is an exposition of the Mosaic law. Jesus saw tthe Pharisees and scribes and other teachers of the law as misrepresenting the law, so he presented a true exposition of the Mosaic law with higher spiritual content.

3. The dispensational position (which you seem to adopt) is that Matt. 5-7 has nothing to do with contemporary Christians but is for the Millennium ahead. This view is applied to "the kingdom age" of 1,000 years.

I support Lloyd-Jones view that Jesus preached Matt. 5-7 to the disciples and if it has nothing to do with Christians in the first century or now, we cannot say that we are the salt of the earth or the light of the world (Matt. 5:13-16).

Christ was preaching to the disciples and telling them what they were to do in this world. The Sermon on the Mount really amounts to a perfect exposition of what Jesus called his "new commandment" to love one another as He loved us. This is what happens when the reign of God is dominant in my life and yours, and in our churches.

Sincerely,
OzSpen

 

[A Brother In Christ]

We are not promised the earth Matt 5:5 but the heavens in phil 3:20-21

Have you ever Cut your eye out according to Matt 5:27-32 why are they doing this... connect to Matt 13:36-43 you will understand

Matt 6:13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

James 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations

see the difference

these are the easy one to show

 

[BrotherDave]

Matthew 5:48 Therefore, you be perfect even as your Father in Heaven is perfect.

How can we be perfect, has anyone but Jesus been considered perfect?

Matt 5-7 reveals how sinful men are and how the word of God will judge men on the last day. These verses seem to increase the pressure of the demands of the law. Chapter 5 speaks about blessings but the fact is that the demands of the Law separate men from those blessings. These verses are intended to show our need, like those of Gal 3:11, 24.

The demands of the law form an impossible gulf that man cannot breach, we cannot be “perfect” (v48) but the law will not go away (5:17, 18) and has to be dealt with (5:26). So, Matthew 5:48 (along with the others) are intended to drive us to seek help from God alone (Ro 3:19, 5:20, Gal 3:22), not in our own deeds or efforts. Matt 6 then goes on to warn us not to find help in religion but God (6:12), only he can change our hearts (6:21, Prov 20:9).

These verses further highlight the need to spend time in prayful study of the Bible as we pray for help and mercy.

 

[A Brother In Christ]

during the 1000 yr reign Believer will get a new heart upon belief and will sin no more

 

[A Brother In Christ]

the 1000 yr reign believer will get a new heart thus they will sin no longer

 

[OzSpen]

Brother in Christ,

With your relegation of the Sermon of the Mount (Matt. 5-7) to the Millennium, that means that believers cannot live and practise this in the contemporary world: "You are the salt of the earth . . . You are the light of the world" (Matt. 5:13-14).

I don't believe you.

<< We are not promised the earth Matt 5:5 but the heavens in phil 3:20-21>>

Matt. 5:5 states: "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth."

To understand the meaning of "the meek" we can seek a parallel in Psalm 37:11 (also vv. 22, 29, 34 of Ps. 37). Ps. 37:11: "but the meek shall inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant peace" (ESV).

This Psalm shows us that the meek are not resentful, doesn't hold a grudge. Instead of dwelling on injuries received, he/she relies on the Lord for refuge because he has died to self-righteousness.

There is a sense in which believers "inherit the earth" even now because we are not paying inordinate attention to riches but are pursuing God with all of our hearts &#8211; seeking first His Kingdom and His righteousness (Matt. 6:33). If Matt. 5-7 applies only to the Millennium, then Matt. 6:33 does not apply to you, me or any Christian.

<< Have you ever Cut your eye out according to Matt 5:27-32 why are they doing this... connect to Matt 13:36-43 you will understand >>

Matt. 5:29: "If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. . ."

It should be obvious to any English reader that this does not refer to a literal event but is metaphorical as Matt 18:7-9 helps us to understand:

Woe to the world for temptations to sin! For it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the one by whom the temptation comes! 8 And if your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life crippled or lame than with two hands or two feet to be thrown into the eternal fire. 9 And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into the hell of fire (ESV).

The eye and the hand that lead a person to sin symbolize and represent opportunities for stumbling. The eye symbolizes an opportunity to enticement to do wrong, an allurement into sin.

Even if one were to cut out the right eye literally, the left eye could still lead one to sin. This is a metaphor.

<< Matt 6:13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
James 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations
see the difference >>

Both Matt 6:13 & James 1:2 use the Greek word, peirasmos, which is translated as "temptation" in the KJV. However the NASB translates Matt. 6:13 as " do not lead us into temptation (peirasmos)" but James 1:2 as "consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials (peirasmos)." Why is it that the NASB translates peirasmos in one place as "temptation" for which the prayer is not to lead us into temptation, but James 1:2 says we are to consider it "all joy" when we "encounter various trials"?

It is because of the breadth of meaning of the noun, peirasmos. In the intensive Greek verbal form, peirazo (meaning: to try, test, put on trial, tempt) it is used 36 times in the NT (12 times exclusively for the temptation of Jesus by Satan or his opponents), once in John, 5 times in Acts; 7 times in Paul's writings, 6 times in Hebrews, 4 times in James, 3 times in Revelation. There are number of other conjugations of the word in the NT.

The meanings are:

• To make an attempt (Heb. 11:29). There are other NT examples;
• Temptation or trial (Matt. 6:13; James 1:2);
• To suffer as a Christian is a form of testing (James 1:2; 1 Peter 1:6; 4:12).

I will not go into further detail except to recommend the word studies of: (1) Colin Brown (ed.), Dictionary of NT Theology (3 vols) and (2) Kittel & Friedrich (10 vols.), Theological Dictionary of the NT.

Nowhere in Matt. 5-7 have I found that this passage applies only to the 1,000 year Millennium. If I were to accept your view I would never pray the Lord's Prayer again.

Sincerely,
OzSpen

 

[visionary]

Why would God go to all the trouble of giving a perfect example, without expectation of our capability to be an imitator as Paul seems to think we are capable of .

 

[A Brother In Christ]

Brother in Christ,

With your relegation of the Sermon of the Mount (Matt. 5-7) to the Millennium, that means that believers cannot live and practise this in the contemporary world: "You are the salt of the earth . . . You are the light of the world" (Matt. 5:13-14).

I don't believe you.



Matt. 5:5 states: "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth."

To understand the meaning of "the meek" we can seek a parallel in Psalm 37:11 (also vv. 22, 29, 34 of Ps. 37). Ps. 37:11: "but the meek shall inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant peace" (ESV).

This Psalm shows us that the meek are not resentful, doesn't hold a grudge. Instead of dwelling on injuries received, he/she relies on the Lord for refuge because he has died to self-righteousness.

There is a sense in which believers "inherit the earth" even now because we are not paying inordinate attention to riches but are pursuing God with all of our hearts – seeking first His Kingdom and His righteousness (Matt. 6:33). If Matt. 5-7 applies only to the Millennium, then Matt. 6:33 does not apply to you, me or any Christian.

thats right... matt 13:24-32 is a parable... yet God being good He interpets it in Matt 13:36-43

we inherit the Heavens where we rule with Christ over the earth.. Phil 3:20-21, 1 cor 6:2

as Jews will rule over cities... Luke 19:19

Matt. 5:29: "If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. . ."

It should be obvious to any English reader that this does not refer to a literal event but is metaphorical as Matt 18:7-9 helps us to understand:

changing what God wrote... are you an apostle who is lead by the spirit to comunicate His word

according to eph 2:20.. apostle were a foundation of the church... 2 thousand years latter are they still working on the foundation

no

The eye and the hand that lead a person to sin symbolize and represent opportunities for stumbling. The eye symbolizes an opportunity to enticement to do wrong, an allurement into sin.

Even if one were to cut out the right eye literally, the left eye could still lead one to sin. This is a metaphor.

So God does not do what he says ... eph 1:4, 1 thes 5:24

Both Matt 6:13 & James 1:2 use the Greek word, peirasmos, which is translated as "temptation" in the KJV. However the NASB translates Matt. 6:13 as " do not lead us into temptation (peirasmos)" but James 1:2 as "consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials (peirasmos)." Why is it that the NASB translates peirasmos in one place as "temptation" for which the prayer is not to lead us into temptation, but James 1:2 says we are to consider it "all joy" when we "encounter various trials"?

It is because of the breadth of meaning of the noun, peirasmos. In the intensive Greek verbal form, peirazo (meaning: to try, test, put on trial, tempt) it is used 36 times in the NT (12 times exclusively for the temptation of Jesus by Satan or his opponents), once in John, 5 times in Acts; 7 times in Paul's writings, 6 times in Hebrews, 4 times in James, 3 times in Revelation. There are number of other conjugations of the word in the NT.

The meanings are:

• To make an attempt (Heb. 11:29). There are other NT examples;
• Temptation or trial (Matt. 6:13; James 1:2);
• To suffer as a Christian is a form of testing (James 1:2; 1 Peter 1:6; 4:12).

I will not go into further detail except to recommend the word studies of: (1) Colin Brown (ed.), Dictionary of NT Theology (3 vols) and (2) Kittel & Friedrich (10 vols.), Theological Dictionary of the NT.

Nowhere in Matt. 5-7 have I found that this passage applies only to the 1,000 year Millennium. If I were to accept your view I would never pray the Lord's Prayer again.

Sincerely,
OzSpen

And you should not...

 

[OzSpen]

Brother in Christ,

So God does not do what he says ... eph 1:4, 1 thes 5:24

The problem is with your skewed hermeneutics!

Sincerely,
OzSpen

 

[A Brother In Christ]

show me and explain to me

 

[OzSpen]

Brother in Christ,

show me and explain to me

I showed it to you in my post of 25 January but you don't seem to be listening.

You have showed us ZERO exegesis from Matt. 5-7 to show that it refers to the Millennium.

Sincerely,
OzSpen