Lesson 5. The Commands of Relationships and Reconciliation. “Foundations of the Teachings of Christ” School — a series of foundational teachings that Jesus Christ taught His disciples on the mountain.
Matthew 5:21–22 You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You shall not murder,’ and whoever murders will be subject to judgment. But I tell you that everyone who is angry with his brother without cause will be subject to judgment; whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca’, will be subject to the Sanhedrin; and whoever says, ‘You fool’, will be subject to the fiery hell.
- angering [orgizomenos] –a verb in the present tense, passive voice, participle, nominative case, singular number, masculine gender. This word is correctly translated as “causing one’s brother to become angry,” that is, one who provokes his brother to anger and irritation. It means doing something to your brother that leaves him angry with you.
The preposition “on” and the word “in vain” are not present in the original text of this passage. Literally, this passage reads: “But I say to you that whoever is angry with (angers or provokes) his brother will be subject to judgment.”
Jesus says that both “whoever kills a person” and “whoever is angry with his brother” will be judged. Here, Jesus uses the word brother, not person. Given the context, this refers to a brother in the Lord. Naturally, this includes sisters and our attitude toward our biological brothers.
… whoever says to his brother, Raca, will be liable to the Sanhedrin
- raka [rakA] —an empty person. Raka is almost impossible to translate because it is a specific insulting word. This word conveys arrogant contempt for a person. In our culture, it is something like —stupid, loser, and so on.
There is a rabbinic story about Rabbi Simeon ben Eleazar. One day, he was walking home from his teacher, elated by his sense of his own learning, erudition, and virtue. An unattractive passerby greeted him. The rabbi did not return the greeting, but merely said: “You, empty-headed man! How disgusting you look! And in your city, does everyone look so disgusting?” “I cannot say that,” –the passerby replied, –“go and tell your Creator how disgusting His creatures look.” (Barclay)
- to the Sanhedrin [san-HEE-drin] –a deliberative body, council, council of elders, or senate; among the ancient Jews, the Sanhedrin. In the Syriac translation of the New Testament, this passage refers not to a “council” but to a “church.” Moreover, in the letters of Ignatius, this word denotes, first, the circle of apostles and, second, the elders (presbyters) of the church.
Jesus warns that for such words against a brother, the one who sins will be punished by those who have authority in the Church. Thus, Jesus establishes that the Church’s leadership must not leave such sins unpunished.
… but whoever says: fool, will be subject to [will be liable to] the fiery hell
- fool [morЭ] –a stupid person, one who is foolish or senseless. This word relates to a person’s mind, when they say that something is wrong with their head. In our culture, it is something like –feeble-minded, mentally deranged, idiot, psycho, and so on.
Of course, in all these cases, the issue is not what you thought about your brother, but what you said to your brother: “whoever says.” The enemy may send—and will send—various thoughts, but thinking something is one thing, while saying it to your brother’s face is another.
- the fiery hell. What kind of place is this?
Mark 9:43–48 And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off: it is better for you, maimed, to enter into life than with two hands to go into hell, into the unquenchable fire, where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched. And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off: it is better for you to enter into life lame than, having two feet, to be cast into hell, into the unquenchable fire, where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched. And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out: it is better for you, with one eye, to enter the Kingdom of God than, having two eyes, to be cast into the fiery hell, where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.
An extremely severe punishment awaits those who call their brother “fool”. Jesus contrasts “life in the Kingdom of God” –with the fiery hell, where “the fire is unquenchable and the worm does not die.” Some will enter into life, while others will enter hell.
Thus, here we see three degrees of sin against our brothers and three degrees of punishment for committing such sins.
- Whoever is angry with his brother –will be subject to judgment.
- Whoever speaks contemptuously to his brother –will be judged by the authority of the Church.
- Whoever tells his brother that he is abnormal or feeble-minded –will be condemned by God’s judgment to the fiery hell.
To be continued…
Matthew 5:23–24 Therefore [for this reason, consequently], if you bring your gift to the altar [in the New Testament, the altar] and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
- gift [dōron] –a present, donation, offering.
Jesus teaches here that gifts to the Lord will not be accepted until the guilty person makes amends to those whom he has offended. A gift may be brought, but whether it will be accepted by the Lord depends on what Jesus is saying in this passage.
It is important to understand that this is not about someone having something against someone else. It concerns cases when you are guilty toward your brother, and he because of this has something against you.
For example, if you are not guilty toward your brother, but he has something against you, that is his problem and he is responsible for it. Many people also had something against Jesus, but that was not His problem. However, if you said or did something that caused your brother to have something against you, then it is your problem, and you are responsible for it.
Jesus showed us how we can examine ourselves.
If we bring some gift to the Lord (a present or offering) and remember that our brother or sister is angry with us (because of our actions), then we need to go and seek reconciliation with them.
If we have said humiliating or insulting words to them, such as “Raca” or “More,” we need to ask them for forgiveness. There should be no brothers or sisters in our hearts whom we have offended and with whom we have not been reconciled. Otherwise, our gifts and offerings before the Lord will not be accepted.
Another important point is that Jesus does not say that we should take the gift away –He says, leave your gift there before the altar, and go first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Jesus tells us to be reconciled, return, and bring this gift.
Matthew 5:25–26 Be reconciled with your adversary quickly, while you are still on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge deliver you to the officer, and you be thrown into prison; truly I say to you, you will not get out of there until you have paid the last quadrans.
- be reconciled [eunoōn] –to be favorable, well-disposed, benevolent, friendly. Literally: be favorable toward your adversary.
Concluding the topic of “relationships and reconciliation between brothers,” Jesus teaches us how to seek reconciliation properly. You should come to your adversary as a friend, being well-disposed, friendly, and favorable toward him. You should clarify and settle the matter before your adversary reaches court, because if he does reach court and the court agrees to hear the case, it will bring even greater problems.
If we miss the opportunity to reconcile with our adversary, we will end up in prison. If a brother is harmed by you and takes you to court, then, in the worst case, you may be judged and sent to prison. Jesus warns: “truly I tell you,” if you end up in prison, you will not get out until you have paid everything you owe.
Summary
A). We can see three degrees of sin against our brothers and three degrees of punishment for committing such sins.
- Whoever is angry with his brother –will be subject to judgment.
- Whoever speaks contemptuously to his brother –will be judged by the authority of the Church.
- Whoever tells his brother that he is abnormal or feeble-minded –will be condemned by God’s judgment to the fiery hell.
B). If we bring some gift to the Lord and remember that our brother or sister is angry with us (because of our actions against them), then we need to go and seek reconciliation with them. If we have said humiliating or offensive words to them, such as “Raca” or “Moreh,” we need to ask their forgiveness. There should be no brothers or sisters in our hearts whom we have offended and with whom we have not reconciled. Otherwise, our gifts and offerings before the Lord will not be accepted.
C). We see that those guilty of sins against their brothers or sisters are subject to judgment. Jesus teaches us how to avoid judgment. We must hurry to reconcile with our adversary while it is not too late. We must approach our adversary not as an enemy, but as a friend, being well-disposed, friendly, and favorable toward him, so that we may find reconciliation.
If we find reconciliation, our problems with the person and our problems with God disappear. But if we do not manage to reconcile, we will face judgment and receive what we deserve. Jesus said, “truly I tell you,” that you will remain in prison as long as necessary, until this problem has been completely resolved.
End of the lesson.
Source: Father’s Blessing Church
Teacher: Dmitriy Leo
