Tuesday, July 1, 2008

Matthew 7

Do not judge, or you too will be judged.
For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?
How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.
Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces.



The word translated as "Judge" in Matthew 7 means to "pass sentence or give one's opinion in a private matter." The context or usage in this passage tells us this is not talking about a Judge who formally judges a case. Jesus was talking about how we judge each other by comparing them with our own standards or values. It hints at gossip. Since hypocrisy is what Jesus is attacking here then we must conclude that He is talking about our tendency to belittle or demean others in an attempt to elevate self.

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