Matthew 5:33-47
Truth & Selflessness
What we say and what we do communicates who we are.
Who we are determines what we say and what we do.
FULL TEXT: Matthew 5:33-47
Truthfulness – Matthew 5:33-37
· You have heard that it was said: You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn. (Matthew 5:33)
· Original Text: You shall not swear by my name falsely, and so profane the name of your God: I am the LORD. (Leviticus 19:12)
· But I say to you: Do not take an oath at all. Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil. (Matthew 5:34, 37)
Getting Even – Matthew 5:38-42
· You have heard that it was said: An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. (Matthew 5:38)
· Original Text: If anyone injures his neighbor, as he has done it shall be done to him, fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth; whatever injury he has given a person shall be given to him. (Leviticus 24:19-20)
· But I say to you: Do not resist the one who is evil. (Matthew 5:39)
People Who Dislike You – Matthew 5:43-47
· You have heard that it was said: You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. (Matthew 5:43)
· Original Text: You shall not hate your brother in your heart, but you shall reason frankly with your neighbor, lest you incur sin because of him. You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD. (Leviticus 19:17-18)
· But I say to you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. (Matthew 5:44)
Be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. – Matthew 5:48