The Pulpit Commentary — Matthew — Volume 2 — Section 229

These woes would never hRve been denounced upon men for the doing of what, othei- wise, would be impossible. (2) Let not the believer in Christ be high-minded, Let Mm. fear. Let him watch. Let him pray. 2. "It mu.st needs be that the occasion• corM." (1) They are permitted as part of the necessary discipline of our probation. They come from the abuse of free agency. (2) To the faithful they prove blessed mean& of grace, They educate pRSsive virtues, The habit of resisting temptation makes a strong character. 3. The instigator to evil is still responsible. (1) Where he succeeds in causing the saint to stumble he will have to answer for the soul damaged or ruined. There is no impunity for those who turn the simple from their integrity by teaching them to imbibe sentiments subversive of the doctriues of genuine truth, or to indulge in evil practices which destroy or injure the capacity for receiving the graces of the kingdom. (2) Where the tempter fails he is still responsible for his wickedness. 4. These things nee,d to be emphasiud. (1) Because the wicked are too apt to transfer the blam~ of their irreligion to the account of the good, by accusing them of apathy and negligence. The good are undoubtedly responsible for the faithfulness of their testimony. They are not, however, beyond this, responsible for results. Noah's testimony was at once his own justification and the condemnation of the world. (2) Because the wicked are too slow to recognize their responsibility, not only for their own non-reception of Christ, but for the injury they do in hindering others, and especially for damaging the good. To offend the innocent is to offend innocence. II. THAT SUCH OFFENDERS ARE WARNED BY THE TERROB OF FORMIDABLE PUNISS- ME!."'T. 1. The sujferings of antichristia.n nations are admonitory. "Woe unto tha world because of occasions of stumbling I" (1) The Jews filled up the measure of their iniquity in crucifying Christ and persecuting his disciples, and wrath came upon them to the uttermost. (2) Degradation and ruin have overtaken or are pursuing those . nations which have persecuted the witnesses for Christ. 'l'he atheism of France, with its horrors and the decadence of that nation, are the reaction of the superstition and wickedness of earlier persecutions. Prosperity smiles upon the nations that have accepted the Reformation. They have been enriched by industries brought to them by Protestant refugees. (3) All antichristian nations are doomed in the anticipation& of prophecy. " Woe" hangs over "the world" in the larger sense. 2. Individuals. also are admonished. "Woe to that man through whom the occasion cometh I " (1) The retribution upon those who offend the disciples of Christ is worse than death~ Jerome says that Christ here speaks according to the custom of the province in punfahing the greatest criminals with drowning. The woe here denounced is worse (ver. 6), (2) The retribution is as crushing as it is sudden. The culprit had no strength tfi>' release himself from the weight of the "great millstone," to tum which, supported in position, required the strength of an ass. "It seems to have grown into a proverb with the Jews for total rnin" (Doddridge). (3) The more terrible punishment is described as a" Gehenna of fire," in allusion to the sufferings of the victims of Moloch ( cf. 2 Chron. xxxiii 6). Durning there is more dreadful than drowning in ~h& Lake of Galilee bard by (cf. Rev. xix. 20). Those who play the devil in tempting saintll may tremble with the devils. 8. But there is yet space for repentance. (1) The offending hand must be cut off. Wrong-doing must cease. However useful a.& the right hand. However dear, (2) 'l'he offending foot must be cut off. Wrong- going must cease. However natural it may have become through habit BB the use of, the right foot. (3) The offending eye must be plucked out. Illicit desire must cease~ whether instigated by covetousness, envy, pride, or passion (see Mark vii. 22). (4) These must be cast away. The hand or foot or eye ~efcr to tho~e sin_s of honour, interest, or pleasure, which men are prone to spare. 'lhe godly ID this world are lame, deaf, dumb, blind, both to themselves and to others (se6 P11. xxxviii. 14). Tho, members most mortified here will shine with the greater lustre hereafter.-J. A. M. Vere. 10-14.- Warning for the contemptuoua. '.The" little ones" here are ch!ld!ike, followers of Christ (cf. ver. 6). Reference to the infants to whom hwnbl~ Chr1st1an11 are likened is not excluded. The infant seed of the faithful are of the family of Jesus. Neith~r the disciple nor the infant must be despised. l. THEY ARE THE REVERSE OF DESPICABLE WHO ABE TBE SPECIAL CIBABGE OF HOLY' ilGELS. 1. The universe is dw.u, having material and apirieual complement,. (1) on. xvm. 1-35.] THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO BT. MATTIIEW. 233