Disciples

Uplifting commentary on the Gospels, Acts, early Apostolic history, and a life of discipleship.

MatthewFriday, Jan 10, 2020

Matthew

Pacifism and Retaliation

Forgiveness is the prerogative and privilege of the injured. No one else can forgive on his or her behalf. Yeshua’s teachings against retaliation, personal vengeance, and demanding one’s “pound of flesh” apply to the individual, not to a court of law, not to a community, and not to a government.

Forgiveness is the prerogative and privilege of the injured. No one else can forgive on his or her behalf. Yeshua’s teachings against retaliation, personal vengeance, and demanding one’s “pound of flesh” apply to the individual, not to a court of law, not to a community, and not to a government.

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Eye for Eye

It’s commonly believed that Yeshua’s teachings about love, forgiveness, and turning the other cheek contradict the harsh Old Testament standard of justice. The Torah says, “eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, … ”, etc. (Exodus 21:24). It seemed that Yeshua contradicted this rule of repaying measure for measure.

Topics:

antithesis statements, eye for eye, lex talionis, middah keneged middah, sayings of Yeshua, sermon on the mount

People of Integrity

According to some opinions of the time, a man is bound by an oath only when it contains the word “oath” in it or God’s name. Since Judaism attempts to sanctify the holy name of God by leaving it unpronounced, people taking oaths and vows sought ways around swearing directly in God’s name.

Topics:

antithesis statements, oaths, sayings of Yeshua, sermon on the mount, vows

Don't Swear at All!

At first glance, this teaching looks like Yeshua forbids something that the Torah requires. On closer examination, there is no conflict between Yeshua’s words and the Torahs instructions regarding oaths and vows. Read why…

Topics:

oaths, sayings of Yeshua, sermon on the mount, vows

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