The Matthew 7 Quandry: What Is Jesus Teaching?

Let's clear up the superficial exegesis of Matthew 7: It is the most quoted Scripture by society and by those in the Church who want no one to point out, mention, or even discern the truth regarding sin and consequences of sin...especially WITHIN the Church and among those who label themselves as Christians.

At first glance...and with a superficial, shallow reading of the passage...it would APPEAR that Jesus is making a broad-brush statement that, within itself, would preclude ANY ability to make any statement against sin in ANYONE'S life...and, it would also greatly hinder the ability to DISCERN between the very aspects of false and true teaching which he would distinguish between in this same chapter. So...is Jesus truly speaking what many "Christians" say He is speaking? Let’s examine it in a SUBSTANTIVE way…far beyond the SUPERFICIAL and SHALLOW reading that refuses to delve into the totality of the words and context of the passage.

We will begin here: Matthew 7:1-12

"Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me remove the speck from your eye'; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye. Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces. "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.”

Here, the word translated “judge, judged” is the word “KRINO” (a - belongs over the O here). This word means “judge, as in to try and condemn, to punish, to avenge, to damn, to decree a sentence upon, to sentence judiciously.” It is the same word used in John 3:17, which reads “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” The word “condemn” is also the word “KRINO”. In both cases, there is no reference to an act of pointing out sin, preaching against sin (Jesus Himself would do this within the context of Matthew7!), or discerning sin. In both Matthew 7 and John 3:17, the more precise interpretation of the passages should read thusly:

Matthew 7:1-2 “Do not condemn someone to death (do not pass a sentence). If you do sentence them to death, you will also be sentenced by that same standard if you fail to uphold moral law, also. Whatever the severity of the punishment you decree on them…that same severity of punishment shall be applied to your offense, also.”

John 3:17 “For God did not send His Son into the world to pronounce a sentence of death, but that the world through Him might escape that sentence of death and be saved.” (Note: this also is the same translation and interpretation of Romans 8:1 in reference to “condemnation”, which is the word “KATAKRIMA“…”no sentence of death”)

As we further follow Matthew 7, we find Jesus asking why they would pass a sentence on someone when they themselves presently sit guilty and, again, will be measured by the same standard…if death for one, death for both…if prison for one, prison for both (and so on). Here, Jesus has said “do not condemn someone to death or sentence them…but especially do not do it if you are also guilty of the same, and thus you will be sentenced by your own standard.” Jesus plainly states “Hypocrite!” It is a hypocritical assessment which actually seeks to condemn someone to death for moral failure that Jesus is condemning. Jesus did not come to do away with all sentencing for sinful acts…those acts such as murder, stealing, etc. But Jesus DID come to do away with death sentences for actions that broke MORAL law. Jesus wants us to live under grace…which simply means we are allowed to live even though we have committed an immoral act! Jesus then goes on to discuss the futility of a continued focus on those who hate the truth and who refuse to accept any words spoken regarding holy and moral living…discussing that, sadly, they are refusing to accept from God “good gifts” which He wants to give to everyone. Then, He sums up his thoughts on “pronouncing sentence” on all He mentions by saying “Therefore”…in other words, “since all I have said is truth”…and His words tell us that “whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them…” He is reiterating His true intentions when He spoke the words “Judge not, that you be not judged.”: in other words, “If you want to be sentenced to death for your moral sins, then sentence someone else to death for moral sins. But, if you want to be able to have a chance to live and repent of your moral failure…then give those around you that same opportunity.”

Never…never….is there ANY intent of Jesus to do away with ANY AND ALL mention of sin in a person’s life. He ONLY condemns HYPOCRITICAL sentencing of one caught in a moral failure. He is promoting GRACE…which, again, allows us to live and not die, even though we DESERVE death for ANY AND ALL sins. GRACE says we can live and not die…yet, it STILL leaves the consequences for our sins in place (the human effects of sin of adultery, fornication, etc which are manifested by diseases, broken relationships, etc). But, thank God, we are NOT sentenced to death and we are given a chance to repent!

Further into Matthew 7, Jesus actually speaks AGAINST false teachers, distinguishing them from those who are the TRUE teachers of the Word. IF a superficial rendering of Matthew 7:1 was ACTUALLY the proper exegesis of this passage…then Jesus Himself would be guilty of disobeying His own words as He speaks from verses 13-27. Yet, Jesus is PLAINLY not wrong…He IS God, after all!…as He points out false prophets and their wrong! He then denotes the “narrow” path to truth and eternal life, and expounds on that thought with the story of the house built upon the sand…contrasting that house with the one built upon the rock.

In every passage of Scripture where “judging” is mentioned in a negative way, it is actually denoting the idea of “passing a sentence, seeking vengeance (notice “to avenge” is a proper definition), to damn through a judicious rendering”. I must note here, also, that there is also a judgment which is actually COMMANDED by Jesus and Scripture: it is the idea of “discernment” and “judging between two opposing views.” In almost every case, it is THAT very definition and proper exegesis of words and passages of Scripture that is being labeled by many in society AND the Church as “unloving and judgmental”…in a derogatory way. We are COMMANDED to discern between two opposing views: BETWEEN RIGHT AND WRONG.

Suffice it to say, when Christians quote Scripture which labels and calls sin SIN, that act is NOT condemned by Matthew 7! Far from it! And when taken in context of the passage AND in the totality of Scripture, we ARE to “judge” (discern and speak out) right from wrong. Jesus Himself would do just that. Peter and Paul would follow His example. And…Ron Smith will go and do likewise.

God bless…and continue to proclaim the truth of Scripture. Defend the faith!

Ron Smith