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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadBob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - Matthew 6
Verse Commentaries:
Chapter Level Commentary:
READING CYCLE THREE (from "hyperlink")
FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR'S INTENT AT THE PARAGRAPH LEVEL
This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
Read the chapter in one sitting. Identify the subjects. Compare your subject divisions with the five translations above. Paragraphing is not inspired, but it is the key to following the original author's intent, which is the heart of interpretation. Every paragraph has one and only one subject.
1. First paragraph
2. Second paragraph
3. Third paragraph
4. Etc.
CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS TO Mat_6:1-8; Mat_6:16-18
A. Matthew 5 describes the characteristics of God's new people and God's view of true righteousness. Matthew 6 relates to the Jews'traditional view of what constituted righteousness (i.e., almsgiving, prayer, fasting).
B. These are not so much specific rules, but an attitude check for believers. For a true definition of righteousness, see Mat_5:20; Mat_5:48. This can only be ours as a gift of God in Christ (cf. 2Co_5:21). However, our gratitude moves us toward Christlikeness.
C. The radical commitment that is required for disciples is clearly presented, not in concrete rules but in spiritual principles.
D. There is both a positive and negative purpose of the Sermon on the Mount.
1. to show us the kind of life God has a right to expect His people to live, the pattern for a Spirit-filled life
2. to show man's inability to keep God's commandments.
It shows us our sinfulness, much like the Ten Commandments (cf. Gal_3:15-29). No one can stand in its searchlight.
E. It is possible that Mat_6:5-6 address Jewish problems in prayer, while Mat_6:7-8 address pagan problems in prayer.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
This is a study guide commentary which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought provoking, not definitive.
1. How do Mat_6:19-34 relate to the over all presentation of the Sermon on the Mount?
2. Were the people who were listening to Jesus storing up riches on earth? How does this relate to our modern emphasis on savings accounts, insurance, or planning for retirement?
3. How does one store up riches in heaven? What do these heavenly riches comprise?
4. Explain the spiritual truths of Mat_6:22-24 in your own words and from your own experience.
5. Is money evil?
6. Is worry a sin (Mat_6:31)?
7. Does Mat_6:33 teach works righteousness?
8. Explain why Christians suffer.