matthew-18:1-6,-psalm-56:9-13-niv

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 18:3

Except ye be converted - Unless ye be saved from those prejudices which are at present so baneful to your nation, (seeking a temporal and not a spiritual kingdom), unless ye be clothed with the spirit of humility, ye cannot enter into the spirit, design, and privileges of my spiritual and eternal kingdom. The name of this kingdom should put you in mind of its nature. - The King is heavenly; His Subjects are heavenly-minded; Their Country is heavenly, for they are strangers and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 18:4

Whosoever therefore shall humble himself - So great is the disparity between the kingdom of Christ and the kingdoms of this world, that there is no way of rising to honors in the former, but by humility of mind, and continual self-abasement. The same is greatest - Thus our Lord shows them that they were all equal, and that there could be no superiority among them, but what must come from the deepest humility; he intimates also, that wherever this principle should be found, it would save... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 18:5

One such little child - As our Lord in the preceding verses considers a little child an emblem of a genuine disciple, so by the term in this verse he means a disciple only. "Whosoever will receive, i.e. show unto such a child-like, unambitious disciple of mine, any act of kindness for my sake, I will consider it as done to myself." read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 18:6

But whoso shall offend one of these little ones - But, on the contrary, whosoever shall cause one of the least of those who believe in me to be stumbled - to go into the spirit of the world, or give way to sin - such a one shall meet with the most exemplary punishment. Let those who act the part of the devil, in tempting others to sin, hear this declaration of our Lord, and tremble. A millstone - Μυλος ονικος , an ass's millstone, because in ancient times, before the invention of... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 18:1

Verse 1 Matthew 18:1.At that time the disciples came to Jesus. It is evident from the other two Evangelists, that the disciples did not come to Christ of their own accord, but that, having secretly disputed on the road, they were brought out of their lurking-places, and dragged forth to light. There is nothing inconsistent with this in the account given by Matthew, who hastens to Christ’s reply, and does not relate all the circumstances of the case, but passes over the commencement, and relates... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 18:2

Verse 2 2.And Jesus called a child to him. The general meaning is, that those who desire to obtain greatness by rising above their brethren, will be so far from gaining their object that they do not even deserve to occupy the lowest corner. He reasons from contraries, because it is humility alone that exalts us. As we are more powerfully affected by appearances presented to the eyes, he holds up to them a little child as an emblem of humility. When he enjoins his followers to become like a... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 18:3

Verse 3 3.Unless you are converted. To the example of little children must be referred the conversion of which he now speaks. Hitherto they had been too much habituated to the ordinary customs of men; and if they would gain their object, they must pursue a totally different course. (499) Every one wished for himself the first or the second rank; but Christ does not allot even the lowest place to any man who does not lose sight of distinctions and humble himself On the contrary, he says, read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 18:4

Verse 4 4.Whosoever shall humble himself like this little child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. This is intended to guard us against supposing that we degrade ourselves in any measure by freely surrendering every kind of distinction. And hence we may obtain a short definition (500) of humility. That man is truly humble who neither claims any personal merit in the sight of God, nor proudly despises brethren, or aims at being thought superior to them, but reckons it enough that he... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 18:5

Verse 5 5.And he that shall receive such a child. The term children is now applied metaphorically by Christ to those who have laid aside lofty looks, and who conduct themselves with modesty and humility. This is added by way of consolation, that we may not account it troublesome or disagreeable to exercise humility, by means of which Christ not only receives us under his protection, but likewise recommends us to the favor of men. And thus believers are taught in what way they ought to esteem... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 18:6

Verse 6 Matthew 18:6.But whosoever shall offend one of those little ones. This appears to be added for the consolation of the godly, that they may not be rendered uneasy by their condition, if they are despised by the world. It is a powerful obstruction to the voluntary exercise of modesty, when they imagine, that by so doing they expose themselves to contempt; and it is hard to be not only treated disdainfully, but almost trodden under foot, by haughty men. Christ therefore encourages his... read more

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 18:3

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 18:4

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 18:5

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 18:6

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 18:1

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 18:2

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 18:3

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 18:4

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 18:5

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 18:6

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