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Explanation for:
Matthew
7
:
17
Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit, and the evil tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
9
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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":"This concept can also be related to individuals who present a facade of virtue through their words and actions while showing a contrasting reality in their conduct. It is particularly relevant regarding heretics who, by practicing self-restraint, purity, and fasting, seem to don a cloak of holiness but inwardly possess a soul tainted by malice, leading astray the unsuspecting faithful. Thus, through the damaging outcomes of their influence on the innocent, they are akin to voracious wolves."},{"author-name":"John Chrysostom","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88ea76859f9f8e2ffd3ee_John%20Chrysostom.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"These expressions convey that the individuals referred to lack gentleness and tenderness; their outward appearance alone may suggest they are like sheep, making them easily identifiable. To eliminate any doubt, Christ draws a parallel between the inevitable and the natural order. Similarly, Paul states, 'The carnal mind is death; for the law of God is not subject to it, but it can be' (Rom. 8:6)."},{"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":"Inquiring about an action that contradicts the natural order and is thus unfeasible, he remarks that just as it is unachievable—since thorns and thistles are corrupt plants, unworthy of yielding nourishing fruit while grapes and figs truly provide sustenance—so too does every virtuous tree bear commendable fruit. Corruption signifies not only decay but also a lack of value. The term \\"evil trees\\" refers specifically to the hypocrites mentioned earlier, whose actions are deserving of their decay and ineffectiveness."},{"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":"Every righteous tree produces good fruit, whereas a corrupt tree yields bad fruit. Blessed Theophylact notes that God likens humanity to a tree, indicating that a person can choose to be transformed from a barren life of sin to one of virtue, similar to how a fruitless tree can be grafted to bear fruit."},{"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":"We should not identify the authentic teachers of the faith based on their intellectual acuity, their oratory skills, or their outward expressions of humility. Instead, we should discern them through the holiness of their conduct and the alignment of their actions with the tenets of the Gospel. Just as the quality of a tree is revealed by its fruit rather than its leaves or bark, so too does the nature of a person manifest in their actions. Grapes are not harvested from thorns, nor figs from thistles. A genuine preacher must embody piety and moral integrity. A righteous person draws from the good treasure of their heart, producing goodness in both actions and speech, akin to a healthy tree yielding good fruit. Conversely, an unrighteous individual brings forth wicked deeds and treacherous words from the evil treasure of their heart, despite potentially being the most articulate individual—just as a corrupt tree yields bad fruit. \\n\\nThese misleading teachers may achieve recognition through their writings, capturing the admiration of many with earthly wisdom and deceptive philosophies rooted in worldly principles rather than Christ. Yet, inevitably, they will face the judgment of the Lord, the eternal judge of heaven and earth: every tree that does not produce good fruit will be uprooted and cast into the fire. Who among us would be foolish enough to follow their deceit and risk sharing in their regrettable fate for eternity? Beloved brethren, sharers in the heavenly calling! By the unfathomable compassion of our Heavenly Father, we are united in the waters of baptism, like branches connected to the life-giving vine, which is His only begotten Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Only by remaining steadfastly connected to Him and faithfully observing His commandments can we bear good fruit for salvation. Nothing can separate us from this life-giving vine as long as we hold on with genuine faith, hope, and love. \\n\\nThe trials and challenges sent by our Heavenly Father along the path to eternal life serve as His loving guidance, purifying our souls from sin. Just as a caretaker prunes the vine to eliminate excess growth in order to enhance fruitfulness, we too are shaped through our struggles (John 15:1, 2, 4). With unwavering faith, hope, love, and our entire hearts, let us cling to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ until the very end of our lives, that we may produce the fruit of good works for everlasting life. Amen."},{"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":"False teachers can be identified by their actions and way of life. In relation to these statements, St. Luke noted that a good individual produces good outcomes from the good stored in their heart, while an evil person draws upon the evil that lies within. Thus, the actions of false teachers reveal their true nature: a person who harbors the truth within is equipped to make righteous choices and engage in virtuous acts, while one who holds falsehoods will manifest deceitful words and harmful behaviors. The words spoken reflect the abundance of what fills the heart."},{"author-name":"Paul Matwejewski","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8969f5be0d592d5a10576_Paul%20Matwejewski.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The path to salvation, while requiring careful navigation due to its narrowness, also carries the risk of temptation and avoidance. Consequently, the Lord cautioned His disciples about deceptive teachers, providing them with discernible signs for identification: Beware of false prophets, who approach you in the attire of sheep, but inwardly are ferocious wolves. The sheep's clothing symbolizes an appearance of innocence and humility that these deceivers employ to mislead and harm the unsuspecting. They can be discerned by their fruits, or the outcomes of their lives. You will recognize them by their fruits; do you gather grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? Just as a good tree produces good fruit, a corrupt tree yields bad fruit; a good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit."},{"author-name":"Bogolepow D.P.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The path to God’s kingdom will be obstructed further by the emergence of false prophets, deceptive figures disguised as true believers (cf. v. 21). In response, Christ cautions the faithful to be vigilant against these imposters, highlighting the definitive criterion for identifying genuine messengers from God as compared to the misleading ones: “by their fruits ye shall know them.” This means that individuals can be recognized by how they live and act in accordance with their teachings, as well as how they guide those who follow them."},{"author-name":"Alexander Gorsky","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8884037c1e1c51e1332e2_Alexander%20Gorsky.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"In summary, the Lord instructed that we should consistently approach God in prayer during our times of need, and our love for others should match the love we have for ourselves. We are called to walk along the narrow path, remain vigilant against false prophets, and live according to the teachings we have received. By establishing these life principles, the Lord delineated the characteristics that differentiate the righteousness of His followers from that of the Pharisees, thus laying a robust foundation for the spiritual education of His chosen people. These teachings are not just for the individuals of that time, but serve as a guiding law for all His disciples, grounded in the eternal principles of Divine holiness and the inherent moral truths instilled by the Creator in humanity. The chosen ones had little prior instruction, having only been associated with John's disciples for a time, such as Andrew and John. The Lord selected those who demonstrated their love and trust, untainted by misconceptions of false enlightenment, committing Himself to their instruction and teaching them through both words and actions—in solitude and in public, in homes and on the road, on land and at sea. He clarified what was obscure to others, involving them as witnesses to His life and works. He gradually dismantled their preconceived notions rooted in Jewish teachings, converting their misunderstandings into lessons, while allowing them to engage in discussions on familiar topics. However, He never missed their private dialogues or the hidden thoughts of others. He guided their emotions and aligned them with their responsibilities. In essence, He purified and illuminated their minds and hearts, preparing them for the complete outpouring of the Spirit of truth and holiness. Initially, they regarded the Lord as their teacher, but by the end of His earthly ministry, He referred to them as friends (Jn. 15:14-15), revealing everything to them, and ultimately, as brothers."}]}
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