Matthew 5:13-16

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 5:13

Matthew 5:13. Ye Not the apostles, not ministers only; but all who possess and manifest the graces spoken of in the preceding verses, and are truly holy and righteous; are the salt of the earth Appointed to be the means of preventing or curing the growth of that corruption which prevails in the world, and of seasoning men’s minds with wisdom and grace. But if the salt have lost its savour Or, be grown insipid, and therefore want seasoning itself, wherewith shall it be salted By what... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 5:14-15

Matthew 5:14-15. Ye are the light of the world The effect of light being to make things manifest, Ephesians 5:13, and to direct us in the way in which we are to walk; the import of this metaphor is, that Christ had appointed his disciples in general, and his apostles and the other ministers of his gospel in particular, to enlighten and reform the world, immersed in ignorance, sin, and misery, by their doctrine and example; and so to direct their feet into the way leading to life and... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 5:16

Matthew 5:16. Let your light The light of that doctrine which you receive from me, and the light of your holy conversation, so shine before men Be so evident and apparent unto men, that they may see your good works, and glorify, &c. That is, that seeing your good works they may both praise God for sending such a religion into the world, and also, embracing your faith, may imitate your holy example, or may be moved to love and serve God as you do, and thereby to glorify him. Here... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Matthew 5:13-16

38. Christ’s people in the world (Matthew 5:13-16)Salt can be used to preserve food from decay and to give food flavour. Christ’s people should have a similar effect upon the world, as they resist the corrupting effects of sin and help make the world a better place to live. But if they do not discipline themselves to develop and maintain this salt-like quality, they will be of no use for God (Matthew 5:13-14).The followers of Jesus are lights for God in a dark world. Like a city on a hill they... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Matthew 5:13

ye. Representing the kingdom of Matthew 5:3 with Matthew 4:17 . are = represent. Figure of speech Metaphor. App-6 . salt. Compare Mark 9:50 . Luke 14:34 , Luke 14:35 . if. See App-118 . b, expressing a real contingency; for, if the salt is stored on the bare earth, or is exposed to the air or sun, it does lose its savour and is fit for no place but the streets (see Thomson's Th e Land and the Book, Lond., 1869, p. 381). his = its. of = by. Greek. hupo. of men. Belongs to former... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Matthew 5:14

light. Greek. phos = light. See App-130 . world. Greek. kosmos. See App-129 . A city. Safed, so placed, was within sight. read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Matthew 5:15

Neither = and not (Greek. ou) . App-105 . candle = lamp. Greek. luchcnos. a bushel = the measure. Greek. modion = a dry measure: i.e. any measure there may happen to be in the house. on = upon. Greek. epi . a candlestick = the lampstand. Greek. luchnia . App-130 . read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Matthew 5:16

so = thus. that = so that. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Matthew 5:13

Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost its savor, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out and trodden under foot of men.Regarding the question of salt's losing its savor, Elmer W. Maurer, research chemist with the United States Department of Agriculture and a brilliant contemporary scientist, made this interesting reference to this portion of the Saviour's teachings:Salt was accepted and collected as taxes by the Romans from the... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Matthew 5:14

Ye are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid.This is further testimony to the indispensable nature of God's children. The world would be in total darkness without them. Furthermore, there is no reason to suppose that God would allow a wicked world to stand if it were not for the faithful remnant remaining in it and remaining faithful to God. Christ also said, "I am the light of the world." That passage before us is not contradictory. It means that the light Christians give... read more

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