Chapter 18:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Johnson
| Lightfoot
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| McGarvey Pendleton
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Malachi Mark
Matthew 18
Concise Complete
The importance of humility. (1-6) Caution against
offences. (7-14) The removal of offences. (15-20) Conduct towards brethren, The
parable of the unmerciful servant. (21-35)
Verses 1-6 Christ
spoke many words of his sufferings, but only one of his glory; yet the disciples
fasten upon that, and overlook the others. Many love to hear and speak of
privileges and glory, who are willing to pass by the thoughts of work and
trouble. Our Lord set a little child before them, solemnly assuring them, that
unless they were converted and made like little children, they could not enter
his kingdom. Children, when very young, do not desire authority, do not regard
outward distinctions, are free from malice, are teachable, and willingly
dependent on their parents. It is true that they soon begin to show other
dispositions, and other ideas are taught them at an early age; but these are
marks of childhood, and render them proper emblems of the lowly minds of true
Christians. Surely we need to be daily renewed in the spirit of our minds, that
we may become simple and humble, as little children, and willing to be the least
of all. Let us daily study this subject, and examine our own spirits.
Verses 7-14
Considering the cunning and malice of Satan, and the weakness and depravity of
men's hearts, it is not possible but that there should be offences. God permits
them for wise and holy ends, that those who are sincere, and those who are not,
may be made known. Being told before, that there will be seducers, tempters,
persecutors, and bad examples, let us stand on our guard. We must, as far as
lawfully we may, part with what we cannot keep without being entangled by it in
sin. The outward occasions of sin must be avoided. If we live after the flesh,
we must die. If we, through the Spirit, mortify the deeds of the body, we shall
live. Christ came into the world to save souls, and he will reckon severely with
those who hinder the progress of others who are setting their faces heavenward.
And shall any of us refuse attention to those whom the Son of God came to seek
and to save? A father takes care of all his children, but is particularly tender
of the little ones.
Verses 15-20 If
a professed Christian is wronged by another, he ought not to complain of it to
others, as is often done merely upon report, but to go to the offender
privately, state the matter kindly, and show him his conduct. This would
generally have all the desired effect with a true Christian, and the parties
would be reconciled. The principles of these rules may be practised every where,
and under all circumstances, though they are too much neglected by all. But how
few try the method which Christ has expressly enjoined to all his disciples! In
all our proceedings we should seek direction in prayer; we cannot too highly
prize the promises of God. Wherever and whenever we meet in the name of Christ,
we should consider him as present in the midst of us.
Verses 21-35
Though we live wholly on mercy and forgiveness, we are backward to forgive the
offences of our brethren. This parable shows how much provocation God has from
his family on earth, and how untoward his servants are. There are three things
in the parable: 1. The master's wonderful clemency. The debt of sin is so great,
that we are not able to pay it. See here what every sin deserves; this is the
wages of sin, to be sold as a slave. It is the folly of many who are under
strong convictions of their sins, to fancy they can make God satisfaction for
the wrong they have done him. 2. The servant's unreasonable severity toward his
fellow-servant, notwithstanding his lord's clemency toward him. Not that we may
make light of wronging our neighbour, for that is also a sin against God; but we
should not aggravate our neighbour's wronging us, nor study revenge. Let our
complaints, both of the wickedness of the wicked, and of the afflictions of the
afflicted, be brought to God, and left with him. 3. The master reproved his
servant's cruelty. The greatness of sin magnifies the riches of pardoning mercy;
and the comfortable sense of pardoning mercy, does much to dispose our hearts to
forgive our brethren. We are not to suppose that God actually forgives men, and
afterwards reckons their guilt to them to condemn them; but this latter part of
the parable shows the false conclusions many draw as to their sins being
pardoned, though their after-conduct shows that they never entered into the
spirit, or experienced the sanctifying grace of the gospel. We do not forgive
our offending brother aright, if we do not forgive from the heart. Yet this is
not enough; we must seek the welfare even of those who offend us. How justly
will those be condemned, who, though they bear the Christian name, persist in
unmerciful treatment of their brethren! The humbled sinner relies only on free,
abounding mercy, through the ransom of the death of Christ. Let us seek more and
more for the renewing grace of God, to teach us to forgive others as we hope for
forgiveness from him.
Chapter 18:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Johnson
| Lightfoot
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| McGarvey Pendleton
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Malachi Mark
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
1 Samuel
2 Samuel
1 Kings
2 Kings
1 Chronicles
2 Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther
Job
Psalm
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
Song of Solomon
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Lamentations
Ezekiel
Daniel
Hosea
Joel
Amos
Obadiah
Jonah
Micah
Nahum
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Haggai
Zechariah
Malachi
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John
Acts
Romans
1 Corinthians
2 Corinthians
Galatians
Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians
1 Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians
1 Timothy
2 Timothy
Titus
Philemon
Hebrews
James
1 Peter
2 Peter
1 John
2 John
3 John
Jude
Revelation
