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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadMatthew Poole Commentary - Matthew 5:16 - 5:16
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Our Saviour now plainly tells us what he intended by the comparisons before mentioned. Let the light of that doctrine which you receive from me, and the light of your holy conversation, (the latter by the following words seemeth to be here principally intended),
so shine before men, be so evident and apparent unto men,
that they may see your good works; all sorts of good works, whatsoever I have commanded or shall command you; and as I command you, and in obedience to such commands, otherwise they are no good works;
and glorify your Father which is in heaven. You are not in your good actions to aim at yourselves, to be seen of men, as Mat_6:1, nor merely at doing good to others; good works are to be maintained for necessary uses, Tit_3:14, but having a primary, and principal respect to the glorifying of your Father; for, Joh_15:8, Herein is my Father glorified, if ye bear much fruit: not that we can add any thing to God’s essential glory, but we may predicate and manifest his glory; which how we can do by good works, if they proceed from mere power and liberty of our own wills, not from his special efficacious grace, is hard to understand. Our Father is said to be in heaven, because, though his essential presence filleth all places, yet he is pleased there, more than any where, to manifest his glory and majesty.