Matthew 18:7

At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? For the exposition, see the notes at Mark 9:33....

7._Woe to the world on account of offenses! _This passage may be explained in two ways. It may be taken _actively_, as meaning that Christ pronounces a curse on the authors of _offenses; _and then by the term _world_, we must understand all unbelievers. Or it may be taken _passively_, as meaning that Christ deplores the evils which he perceives to be rapidly coming on _the world on account of offenses; _as if he had said, that no plague will be more destructive, or attended by more fearful calamities, than the alarm or desertion of many _on account of offenses. _The latter meaning is more appropriate; for I have no doubt that our Lord, who had spoken on another occasion about offenses, proceeded to discourse more largely on this subject; in order to make his disciples more attentive and watchful in guarding against them. That Satan may not gain advantage over us through our sluggishness,...

7-14 Considering the cunning and malice of Satan, and the weakness and depravity of men's hearts, it is not possible but that there should be offences. God permits them for wise and holy ends, that those who are sincere, and those who are not, may be made known. Being told before, that there will be seducers, tempters, persecutors, and bad examples, let us stand on our guard. We must, as far as lawfully we may, part with what we cannot keep without being entangled by it in sin. The outward occasions of sin must be avoided. If we live after the flesh, we must die. If we, through the Spirit, mortify the deeds of the body, we shall live. Christ came into the world to save souls, and he will reckon severely with those who hinder the progress of others who are setting their faces heavenward. And shall any of us refuse attention to those whom the Son of God came to seek and to save? A father t...

Verse Matthew 18:7. _WO!_] Or, _alas_! ουαι. It is the opinion of some eminent critics, that this word is ever used by our Lord to express _sympathy_ and _concern_. _BECAUSE OF OFFENCES_] Scandals, stumbling-blocks, persecutions, c. _FOR IT MUST NEEDS BE THAT OFFENCES COME_] Αναγκε γαρ εϚιν ελθειν τα σκανδαλα, _for the coming of offences is unavoidable_. Such is the wickedness of men, such their obstinacy, that they will not come unto Christ that they may have life, but desperately continue _deceiving_ and being _deceived_. In such a state of things, offences, stumbling-blocks, persecutions, c., are unavoidable. _WO TO THAT MAN_] He who _gives_ the offence, and he who _receives_ it, are both exposed to ruin....

WOE UNTO THE WORLD BECAUSE OF OFFENCES - That is, offences will be the cause of woe or of suffering. Offences, here, mean things that will produce sin: that will cause us to sin, or temptations to induce others to sin. See the notes at Matthew 5:29. IT MUST NEEDS BE ... - That is, such is the depravity of man that there will be always some who are attempting to make others sin; some people of wickedness endeavoring to lead Christians astray, and rejoicing when they have succeeded in causing them to fall. Such, also, is the strength of our native corruption and the force of passion, that our besetting sins will lead us astray. WOE TO THAT MAN BY WHOM THE OFFENCE COMETH - He who leads others into sin is awfully guilty - no man can be more guilty. No wickedness can be more deeply

EXPOSITION MATTHEW 18:1 _Discourse concerning the greatest in the kingdom of heaven, and the mutual duties of Christians_._ _(Mark 9:33; Luke 9:46-42.) MATTHEW 18:1 _The greatest in the kingdom of heaven_. MATTHEW 18:1 AT THE SAME TIME; literally, _in that hour_._ _The narrator connects the following important discourse with the circumstances just previously related. Peter had completed the b

WOE UNTO THE WORLD BECAUSE OF OFFENCES!.... By which are meant, not sins, as sometimes, but rather temptations to sin; and so the Ethiopic version renders this word by "temptation" in every clause, as the Arabic does in the next; and may design all the contempt and reproach cast upon the doctrines, ordinances, and people of Christ, and all those afflictions, distresses, and persecutions exercised on them, on purpose to cause them to stumble and fall; to tempt them to deny the truth, drop their profession of religion, and relinquish the service of Christ; things which are displeasing to God, discouraging to his people, and often attended with bad consequences to formal professors; and bring down the judgments of God upon the men of the world; who sooner or later will vindicate his own cause, avenge his own elect, and render tribulation to them that trouble them. FOR IT MUST NEEDS BE THAT...

Matthew 18:1. _At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?_ The question we have sometimes heard asked in other forms, «Which is the highest office; which form of service shall have the greatest honour?» As if we were courtiers and were to take our positions according to precedent. Matthew 18:2. _And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them._ They all wondered what he was going to do. The little child was no doubt pleased to find itself in such happy company. Matthew 18:3. _And said, Verily I say unto you,_ «And said Verily I say unto you» to you, men or women, who th

6. INSTRUCTIONS TO HIS DISCIPLES. CONCERNING FORGIVENESS. CHAPTER 18 _ 1. Concerning the Little Ones and Offences. (Matthew 18:1 .) 2. The Son of Man to Save What is Lost. (Matthew 18:11 .) 3. The Church Anticipated and Instructions Concerning it. (Matthew 18:15 .) 4. Concerning Forgiveness. (Matthew 18:21 .)_ So closely is this chapter connected with the events of the previous one that it should not be divided into a separate chapter at all. It was “in that hour” the disciples came to Him with their question. When the Lord had just uttered the great truth “the sons are free” and added His gracious

A CONVERSATION WITH THE TWELVE. For Matthew 18:1, the question of precedence, _cf._ Mark 9:33 *, also Matthew 20:26 f., Mark 10:43 f., Luke 9:48; Luke 22:26. Mt. makes the disciples begin the discussion, but characteristically omits the derogatory intimation that they had been disputing. In his account Jesus does not embrace the child (_cf. Matthew 19:15_,...