AN EXPLANATION OF MATTHEW 5:48
x
 IN ANOTHER ARTICLE (found on this web site) we wrote about going "on unto perfection" (Hebrews 6:1). In it we saw that the basic meaning of the word translated "perfect" (KJV), teleios, in the New Testament was complete (with slightly variant and almost parallel secondary meanings). We found that in certain places the word was used in the sense of full grown and mature. Our lesson was that we are admonished to go on unto maturity in Christ.
x
 In view of the things we considered, a question comes to mind as to exactly what the Lord had in mind in the Sermon on the Mount when he said, "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." It is fitting that we now look at this profound statement. What is the explanation? What did the he mean?
x
 It would be helpful in understanding Matthew 5:48 to get an overview of the Sermon on the Mount and then examine the immediate context of the Lord’s statement here. The meaning of words can be easily distorted, even unintentionally, when taken out of context and pressed beyond their original usage and application.
x
The Sermon on the Mount
x
 Matthew chapters 5, 6 and 7 make up the Sermon on the Mount. Key words like "righteousness" (5:6,10,20; 6:33) and "kingdom" (5:3,10,19,20; 6:10,13,33; 7:21) stand out. The theme of the sermon seems to be attaining the righteousness of the kingdom of heaven. The thrust of this theme gets under way in the beatitudes. In the process of hungering and thirsting after righteousness, one is poor in spirit as he recognizes his spiritual bankruptcy. He bemoans his undone condition and is meek. And as he becomes a recipient of the mercy of God, it makes him merciful. There is that oneness and purity of heart, no admixture of inferior motives. At peace with God, he becomes a peacemaker. But when this righteousness is finally reached in its fullness, he will be persecuted for it by the unrighteous. But at the same time, upon this attainment, he will be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. After saying all of these great truths in a preliminary way, Matthew 5:20 now seems to be the definitive key verse that really nails down the main outline and headings that are to follow. As the Word of God incarnate, the Lord Jesus Christ declares, "For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven."
x
An Outline of the Sermon
x
 The necessity of exceeding the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees seems to be nailed down under several obvious headings, starting with (1) Being more than just a traditional, legalistic righteousness ("Ye have heard that it was said by them of old…But I say unto you"), 5:21-5:48. Then, (2) Being more than just a showy, pretentious righteousness, 6:1-18. And, (3) Being more than a righteousness dominated by materialism, 6:19-34. Then in chapter 7 we see sundry warnings and applications with the scribes and Pharisees further in the Lord’s eye. Finally, 7:21-29 fittingly concludes this great discourse with 7:21 especially getting our attention, "Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven."
x
The Immediate Context
x
 Now let us notice Matthew 5:48, the focus of our question, and its immediate context. It falls under our suggested heading of "being more than just a traditional, legalistic righteousness" in exceeding the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees. Following is the full quotation of the immediate context (Matthew 5:43-48).
x
 "Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you: That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? Do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? Do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect."
x
The Meaning of Matthew 5:48
x
 All right, we have the contextual picture spread before us. So, what is the explanation of, "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect"? The Lord nails down what he is talking about in 5:43, "Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies…" And the "therefore" indicates that what he is talking about involves the Father in this connection. He is talking about love. And his treatment of love involves two parts or categories, with the Jews only carrying out the first, loving their neighbors (but they hated their enemies). Then Jesus shows how that God loves both, and all, categories of people as he variously expands and illustrates this point.
x
 Now with the basic definition of the Greek word (teleios) for perfect in mind, which is complete, let’s just replace the word "perfect" in our translation with the word "complete." "Be ye therefore complete, even as your Father which is in heaven is complete." Be complete? How? Obviously in the two part matter being dealt with in 5:43, neighbors and enemies were both to be loved (not one loved and the other hated). By putting the two parts together in loving, they would be perfect, or complete, like their heavenly Father in his love as illustrated here. Here the Lord is not necessarily talking about the quality of our love, but the impartiality of it. This is not about how we love, but who we love.
x
A Parallel Illustration
x
 Another Scripture that would illustrate this use of perfect is I Corinthians 13:9 and 10. It reads, "For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect [teleios, complete] is come, then that which is in part shall be done away." The "in part" and the complete are thrown over against one another, emphasizing the meaning of each. The revelation of the truths of the New Testament was received in parts, not all at once, as the Spirit led them into all truth. When that which was perfect, or complete, was come, the in part situation was done away. All the parts put together make that which is complete, the whole. Likewise we see this with the multi-facets of love dealt with in Matthew 5:43-48.
x
Other Great Scriptures
x
 Matthew 5:48 is a great Scripture, but it is not as inclusive in its reference to God as some would seem to think. But we are not at a loss. There are plenty of other Scriptures pointing to God with his wondrous attributes for us to emulate. For example I Peter 1:15 and 16 read, "But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation [conduct, the way that you live]; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy." Furthermore, the apostle Paul admonishes in Ephesians 5:1, "Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love..." In Luke 6:36 the Lord also said, "Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful." We serve the great and glorious God of eternity, the one who is absolute in perfection in every way. Let us in humility and godly fear be found in Him, walking in love, in truth and in righteousness. Amen!
-
<BACK
-
TheSwordANDStaff