The Pulpit Commentary — Matthew — Volume 2 — Section 413

literally interpreted Exod. xiii. 16 and Deut. vi. 8, and wore scrolls of paper or parch- ment with t~xts of Scripture written on them, bound round their wrists and forehead,i. 'l'he fringes on their garments, which God enjoined upon the Israelites to remind them of doinl!: all the commandments (see Numb. xv. 38), they wore broa.der and longer than other men. They paraded their piety "at feasts," and "in synagogues " and "in markets," where they might be seen. (2) In all this ostentation there was super- stition. They looked upon their phylacteries as preservatives in the sense of amulets. (3) Such aspirants must be jealousy watched. "Mark and Luke have selected from our Lord's discourses, handed down in full in Matthew, the sins of pride, avarice, ancl hypocrisy, e.s those most suited to show why they should 'beware of the scribes' " (Harmer). III. CllRIST MUST BE EXALTED EVERMORE, 1. By refusing the arrogance of his enemiu. (1) The scribes and Pharisees would set aside the claims of Christ. They affected to be called "Rabbi,"" Father,"" Master," in an unwarrantable sense. The Talmud pretends that "King Jehoshaphat used to salute the wise men with the titles, Father, Father; Rabbi, Rabbi; Master, Master I " This claim purported that, as the "wise men," they should be implicitly believed in what they affirmed, without asking any further question. It purported, moreover, that they should be implicitly obeyed in what they enjoined without seeking further authority. (2) But here they must be resisted. The Christian has but one infallible Teacher. So has he but one absolute Father-the heavenly. So has he but one supreme Master-Christ. None but Christ has ever folly illustrated his dootrine in his life. 2. By cultivating true humi?ity. (1) In this is Christian great- ness. Love is greatness. The heart is at once the moJt important and most laborious orge.n ; the servant, yet the ruler of all. Self-love is purified and dignified by being subordinated to the love of God and our neighbour. (2) The Christian will not exalt himself. He must not covet the titles affected by the scribes, nor must he assume tbe authority and dominion implied in these names. When self-love is exalted, self itself becomes abased. (3) The Christian will not unduly exalt his fellow. ".All ye are brethren." Ministers are to each other brethren. They are brethren to the people. Christ himself is the " Firstborn among many brethren" (Rom. viii. 29). What an example to his disciples I (4) The Christian loses himself in exalting Christ. "Call no man," etc., i.e. ascribe infallibility to none (see 1 Cor. iii. 6, 6). The whole passage (vers. 3-7), like oh. xx. 25, may justly be regarded as a prophecy e.nd warning to the Christian Church. "Among Christians there is none to sit in Christ's seat" (Alford). It was George Herbert's habit, when he mentioned the name of Christ, to add, "my Master." 3, C!hrist will abase the proud, and e:z:alt the humble. (1) "Whosoever shall exalt himself sbnll be humbled." ".All the world cannot exalt a proud man, because God will pull him down" (Anon.). (2) "Whosoever shall humble himself shall be exalted." No sentence of our Lord's is so often repeated. It occurs in the evangelists, with little variation, at least ten times. Pride is as natural to man as it is hateful to God. (3) " Honour is like the shadow, that flees from those who pursue it, but follows those who flee from it" (Henry ).-J. A. M. Vers. 13-15.-The credit of the (Jhurch. The Church of God is a unity throughout the ages. It is more propet to speak of the Christian dispensation of the Church than of the Christian Church as opposed to the Jewish. This unity exists, not only through the ages, but also throughout the universe. While its head-quarters are in heaven, there has ever been a visible representation upon the earth. This is sometimes called "the Church;" in the Gospels it is distinguished as "the kingdom of heaven." 1n this sense we now speak of it. Note, then- I. THAT THE CHURCH 18 TROUBLED BY THE INTRUSION OF HYPOCRITES. 1. They enter it for selfish ends. (1) What care the hypocrites for God's glory? They are simply stage-players in religion. (2) They affect the glory of human applause. They transfer to themselves what should be given to God. (3) By pretending to extraor- dinary piety, they insinuate themselves into the confidence of unprotected and unsus- pecting persons, to rob them of their property (cf. 2 Tim. iii. 6; Titus i. 11). 'l'he extreme of avarice is to devour the house of the widow, who should be specially spared ( cf. Exod. xxii. 22, 23 ; Prov. xv, 26; Isa. x. 1, 2). " While they seemed to soar hc11venward upon the wings of prayer, their eye, like the kite's, was all the while upon )lATTHEW-ll, 2E US THE GOSPEL .ACCORDING TO ST. MATTHEW. [on. ll.lIL 1--39.