马太福音 6:1-18

The Importance of Their Worship And ‘Religious’ Service Being Genuine (6:1-18).

Among the Jews almsgiving, prayer and fasting were seen as the basics of a godly life, and as being evidence of a life that was pleasing to God. For example in Tob 12:8 (a Jewish writing) we read, ‘prayer is good when it is accompanied by fasting, almsgiving, and righteousness’ (note the differing order from Jesus, Who valued righteousness and almsgiving above fasting). The principle in mind was clearly correct, that prayer without genuineness of life and concern for others was useless. The thought was that those who would come to God must also be behaving rightly in their lives (and Jesus would have added, ‘and must be reconciled with their brother’ - Matthew 5:23-24). But Jesus will now add to it that all such behaviour must also be the result of a genuine motive, that of bringing honour to God, and not from any desire to be admired by men. In the words of the Psalmist, ‘If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me’ (Psalms 66:18). Having this in mind Matthew 6:1-18 may be analysed as follows:

Analysis of Matthew 6:1-18 .

a Righteousness must not be exercised with a view to being seen by men or else they will receive no recognition from their heavenly Father (Matthew 6:1).

b The giving of alms to others is not to be trumpeted abroad, but is to be done secretly so that their reward might be from their Father (Matthew 6:2-4).

c Prayer is not to be engaged in, in order to obtain the praise of men, but is to be engaged in, in such a way that no one knows of it (thus it is to be to God’s glory and not theirs) with the result that they will receive recognistion from their Father (Matthew 6:5-6).

d Praying must not be made up of constant and endless repetition for their Father knows their needs before they ask Him (Matthew 6:7-8).

c Prayer is to be concentrated on glorifying God, and on the advancement of God’s Kingly Rule and the establishment of a true spiritual life so that their relationship with their heavenly Father may be maintained (Matthew 6:9-14).

b The giving of forgiveness towards men and women is necessary for those who would receive forgiveness. As a result of it they will demonstrate that they are in a position whereby their heavenly Father can forgive them (Matthew 6:15).

a Fasting is not to be indulged in, in order to be seen of men, but must be between a man or woman, and God for then it will be personally acknowledged by their Father (Matthew 6:16-18).

Note that in ‘a’ righteousness must not be practised before men, and in the parallel fasting is not to be so either. Both are activities which should be engaged in with a view to pleasing God. In ‘b’ and its parallel the activity is towards men, but is in order to please God. In ‘c’ and its parallel concentration is on true prayer to the glory of God. Centrally in ‘d’ their Father knows what they have need of before they ask Him.