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Explanation for:
Matthew
5
:
24
Leave there thy offering before the altar, and go first to be reconciled to thy brother: and then coming thou shalt offer thy gift.
16
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{"arr":[{"author-name":"Jerome of Stridon","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88dcd3432c6dd41375498_Jerome%20of%20Stridon.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"He did not state: ‘If you have any grievance with your brother,’ but rather: ‘If your brother has a grievance against you,’ highlighting the imperative nature of reconciliation even more. If we are unable to make amends with him, I am uncertain whether we can present our offerings to God in the manner we should."},{"author-name":"Anonymous Commentary (Opus Imperfectum)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":4,"exegesis-text":"Do not claim, \\"He has wronged me, while I have not wronged him; he should seek forgiveness from me, not I from him.\\" If the Lord, for the sake of your salvation, calls you to seek reconciliation, then especially when you are wronged, strive to foster peace. By doing so, you will achieve a twofold honor: the first for enduring the offense, and the second for being the one who seeks to mend the relationship. If you have caused harm and seek forgiveness, God will grant you mercy for the offense because you sought it, but you will not receive a reward, as you did so while still at fault. Yet, if someone has sinned against you and you take the initiative to seek reconciliation, you will reap a significant reward. Therefore, be swift to lead in fostering friendship, lest your opponent overtakes you in this endeavor and claims the reward of righteousness that you could have received. For if they have wronged you and come to you seeking peace, your reconciliation will bear no spiritual fruit. What merit is there before God if you reconcile only in response to their plea? God calls you to be the first to seek harmony, not to belittle yourself before your adversary, but to grant you glory for your humility."},{"author-name":"Ephraem the Syrian","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88b589fc3e99eb7bb1839_Ephraem%20the%20Syrian.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"He spoke clearly to eliminate any uncertainty about the consequences of neglecting the sacred atonement and leaving the wrongdoers unpunished."},{"author-name":"Basil the Great","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c889927158e4af30595484_Basil%20the%20Great.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"Is this directive addressed exclusively to the priests, or is it meant for everyone? “If you bring your gift to the altar and remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift before the altar, go first and be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift” (vv. 23-24). How can any of us present a gift at the altar? Since it is proclaimed that you shall be called the servants of God (Is. 61:6) and that the sacrifice of praise glorifies the Lord (Ps. 49:23), and it is also written that a broken spirit is the true sacrifice to God (Ps. 50:19); furthermore, the Apostle instructs us to present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, which is our spiritual worship (Rom. 12:1). This understanding applies to all believers, emphasizing that each one of us is called to act in accordance with these teachings."},{"author-name":"Isidore of Pelusium","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88d94130e668938c9ae9d_Isidore%20of%20Pelusium.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":5,"exegesis-text":"Reconciliation among one another is of utmost significance to the God of the Word. The One who harmonizes the heavenly with the earthly also brings an end to our hostilities, preventing new ones from emerging and uprooting those that have taken root. He advises, ‘Do not anger your brother in vain’ (Matthew 5:22). Understanding our human frailty, He removes the very roots of our conflicts and insists that offerings intended for Him should not remain unpresented until we achieve harmony among ourselves. Thus, what is expressed reveals profound compassion paired with justice. ‘You seek,’ He says, ‘mercy; yet the one who is hurt desires retribution. You refer to Me as merciful, while he deems Me just; you plea for leniency, but he laments the absence of assistance. Comfort the one who rightfully laments, and you shall not lose My grace. Be reconciled with the aggrieved, then seek My reconciliation with you. I do not barter justice for a gift demanded by others; I do not compromise the integrity of the righteous judge; I do not side with the aggrieved while their grievances are raised. I offer you a gift that is not small, but rather exceedingly great - I delay the examination of the situation; I refrain from rendering an immediate judgment; I allow you time to address the concerns of the injured.’"},{"author-name":"Augustine of Hippo","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88950a5c988a4fc06c7ae_Augustine%20of%20Hippo.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":5,"exegesis-text":"Through the altar located in the inner sanctuary of God's temple, we can gain a spiritual insight into faith, which the physical altar symbolizes. Any offering we present to the Lord, be it prophecy, teaching, prayer, hymn, psalm, or any other spiritual blessing that arises within our hearts, cannot be embraced by God unless it is rooted in genuine faith and firmly anchored within it. This ensures that our expressions are pure and unblemished."},{"author-name":"Maximus the Confessor","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8951a1dea23713695271e_Maximus%20the%20Confessor.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":7,"exegesis-text":"If you choose not to stray from God's love, do not allow your brother to succumb to despair against you, nor permit yourself to be overwhelmed with distress against him. Instead, seek to be reconciled with your brother, and upon your return, with a tranquil heart, present the offering of love to Christ through earnest prayer."},{"author-name":"Philotheus of Sinai","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":9,"exegesis-text":"What instruction has the Lord established for those who seek desire? ‘He that looketh upon a woman, to lust after her, he hath already committed adultery with her in his heart’ (Matthew 5:24). In light of this command, what kind of trap does the wicked craft within his mind? When the sources of temptation are far removed, he turns inward, engaging in an internal struggle against this command. This internal conflict arises as he conjures vivid images of immorality, allowing even spoken words to provoke desire, while many other factors provoke temptation through mental turmoil."},{"author-name":"Theophylact of Bulgaria","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8989296bafed9104677d7_Theophylact%20of%20Bulgaria.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":11,"exegesis-text":"God prioritizes our love for one another over His own glory. In response to the statement, “If your brother has anything against you,” He added no further conditions regarding the justification of the grievance; rather, He urges reconciliation. He did not say, “if you have something against him,” but rather, “if he has something against you, strive to mend the relationship.” He instructs you to set aside your offering in favor of seeking reconciliation, indicating that true love exemplifies genuine sacrifice. If you wish to present your offering, it is essential that you first seek to restore harmony."},{"author-name":"Euthymios Zigabenos","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":11,"exegesis-text":"All that has been expressed previously, what is mentioned now, and what is yet to come, all pertains to love, which He frequently highlights and commends in various forms, as will be evident throughout this discussion. As God, motivated by love for us, He took on human form and endured all trials so that we, too, may love God and ourselves, be united in love, and create one body, with Christ as our leader. In this way, by eliminating the discord that divides, He eradicates everything that disrupts love. And consider the depth of His humanity. He relinquishes His own honor for the benefit of His brother and does not simply say, “Pause your service to Me for a moment, so you can be reconciled to your brother.” This is because the act of sacrifice is inherently tied to reconciliation with others, and without this condition, it is not accepted. Therefore, whether you bring praise to God, offer prayers (which are also sacrifices), or engage in any other act, ensure it is preceded by reconciliation, understanding that He will not accept anything unless you first restore harmony. These instructions are applicable to both the one who feels wronged and the one who has caused harm. If someone has wronged you, extend forgiveness and practice patience; if you have wronged another, take steps to rectify your actions and leave nothing undone that might aid in reconciliation. This also illustrates that God despises the life of anyone whose sacrifices are rejected due to animosity."},{"author-name":"Ivanov A.V.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88db13197efab881aa332_Ivanov%20A.V..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The act of leaving a gift at the altar for the purpose of reconciling with an adversary can also be interpreted figuratively. It is sufficient to achieve reconciliation in one's heart or mind, which entails desiring this restoration, planning to reach an agreement at the earliest opportunity, and seeking a moment for reconciliation. This represents the act of leaving the gift before the altar. Even in the Old Testament, it was declared on the Lord's behalf: I desire mercy, not sacrifice (Hosea 6:6). In the New Testament, the principles of grace and peace should take precedence."},{"author-name":"Philaret (Amphiteatrov)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c896e9b7a2ebaf99e4620a_Philaret%20(Amphiteatrov).png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The God of love and peace does not receive offerings made in His name from those who have wronged their neighbor and have not sought reconciliation. Therefore, He instructs us that when we approach Him in prayer to implore His mercy, we should first reflect on our hearts to identify if there are any who hold grievances against us, or whom we have offended. If we discover any fault on our part, we must first seek reconciliation with our brother who has been wronged, and only then should we turn to prayer. Failing to do so, we will encounter not a merciful Father, but a stern judge."},{"author-name":"Michail (Lusin)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c89550c567e172d15b3055_Michail%20(Lusin).png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The Jewish people, notably the Pharisees and scribes, placed greater emphasis on the external observance of the law while showing little regard for the inner condition of the heart. Those who meticulously adhered to the external requirements of the Law were deemed righteous, despite harboring feelings of envy, animosity, resentment, and other negative traits towards their fellow human beings. This contrasts sharply with the teachings of the Lord. It is far more essential to maintain a pure heart rather than merely perform outward rituals; without a sincere heart, such rituals hold no significance in God's eyes. They acquire potency and importance before God only when accompanied by a spirit of peace and love towards others. Naturally, in situations where personal reconciliation with a neighbor is not achievable, one must at least cultivate a spirit of reconciliation within their heart (cf. Mk. 11:25). \\"God gives up His own honour, so long as we keep love\\" (Theophylact)."},{"author-name":"Ignatij (Briantchaninow)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88ce37597540c9caa5df5_Ignatij%20(Briantchaninow).png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The Lord instructed us to maintain harmony with our neighbors, as stated in Matthew 5:23-24; likewise, the Apostle encourages us to strive for peace with everyone whenever possible (Romans 12:18). Rather than focusing on who is right or wrong, whether it is you or your neighbor, examine your own heart and seek to uphold peace through humility.\\n\\nIf you aspire to the noble practice of prayer, first extend forgiveness to those who have wronged, defamed, or belittled you, as well as anyone who has caused you harm. The One to whom you are about to pray calls you to action: if you are offering the gift of prayer at the holy altar of the King of kings and remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering at the altar. Go and reconcile with your brother, humble yourself, and then return to complete your offering (Matthew 5:23-24)."},{"author-name":"Kochomski S.W.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"When you present your offering at the altar and recall that your brother holds something against you, meaning if you realize that you have wronged your brother in any manner, leave your gift there. Among the Jews, as with other nations, halting a sacrifice in progress was deemed a serious offense, meriting substantial punishment from God. Therefore, seek reconciliation with your brother by asking for his forgiveness for your wrongdoing. In this way, the Lord illustrates that harmony among individuals, in God's sight, is of greater importance than any offering, and it also provides a means to evade condemnation for anyone who harbors unjust anger towards his brother and verbally insults him (Matthew 5:22)."},{"author-name":"Abbot Panteleimon about the Trinity","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"Leave your gift at the altar of sacrifice and first seek to reconcile with your brother. Only after achieving this peace should you return to offer your gift with a clear conscience. Why does Christ instruct this? Primarily, He wishes to emphasize that genuine love is the ultimate offering, and without it, all other sacrifices lack value. Additionally, He encourages us to mend relationships, not just out of love for others, but so that our sacrifices are complete. This signifies that the Lord’s Supper is not for those who harbor enmity towards one another. If you approach God with resentment in your heart, it is better to pause your prayer, mend the rift with your brother, and then return to prayer. The admonition offered to those who have wronged another applies equally to those who feel wronged. Christ assures us that if we reconcile with love in our hearts, He will extend His mercy to us as well. He willingly permits you to forgo your offering temporarily for the sake of fostering friendship. Like a skilled physician, Christ not only provides healing for our ills but also addresses the root cause of our ailments. The instruction against calling others foolish serves to heal divisions, while the call to reconcile with one’s neighbor aims to remove the afflictions born from hostility. Notice the seriousness with which He commands the fulfillment of both directives. There, He warns of judgment, and here, He disallows any offering until after reconciliation, demonstrating His profound displeasure towards those who remain at odds.\\n\\nYou may wonder what to do if the person you need to reconcile with is far away and you cannot leave your duties to seek them in person. In such cases, approach them spiritually; with love in your heart, forgive them sincerely in the presence of God, and pray fervently for His assistance in resolving this conflict, hoping for reconciliation as soon as possible. If, despite your efforts, your brother refuses to reconcile, seek the help of others to mediate, and if he still does not relent, “then pray quietly to God that He Himself will make sense of it, and you do not worry,” as advised by the wise Monk Pimen the Great. Humanity is often flawed, and it is likely that there will be far more unkind people than kind ones. Even if you possess a serene disposition, there will likely be someone with whom you are not at peace; strive to reconcile with them swiftly."}]}
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