Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadJohn Bengel Commentary - Matthew 5:45 - 5:45
(Show All Books | Show All Chapters)
This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
Mat 5:45. Ὅπως γένησθε, that ye may become) When they love their enemies, they become His sons [but] in such a manner as [not to contravene the fact], that they already previously have Him for their Father.[234] An instance of Ploce:[235] Sons become sons, as disciples become disciples.-Cf. Joh 15:8. Thus, the God of Israel became the God of Israel; 2Sa 7:24. Great is God’s condescension in not disdaining to invite His sons to imitate Him. ὅτι, κ.τ.λ., for, etc.) Such is the principle upon which the Father is to be imitated. As God treats and rules us, so ought men to treat and rule each other.-τὸν ἥλιον Αὐτοῦ, His sun) A magnificent expression. He both made the sun and governs it, and has it exclusively in His own power.-ἀνατέλλει, maketh to rise.-βρέχει, raineth, sendeth rain) It is the part of piety to speak of natural things as received from God, rather than to say impersonally, It rains, it thunders.-See ch. Mat 6:26; Mat 6:30; Job 36:27-28, and chapters 37-41; Psalms 104, etc. Franzius urges this strongly in his treatise on the Interpretation of Scripture, pp. 83, 632. Rain is a great blessing.
[234] i.e. He first loves them, and is their Father already; but they become His sons, and prove their sonship afterwards, when they love their enemies, even as He loved them when still enemies.-ED.
[235] See Appendix.-ED.