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Explanation for:
Matthew
7
:
22
Many will say to me in that day: Lord, Lord, have not we prophesied in thy name, and cast out devils in thy name, and done many miracles in thy name?
11
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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":"Prophesying, demonstrating miraculous powers, and casting out evil spirits are not achievements of the individuals performing these acts. Instead, they invoke the name of Christ, or such acts are performed as a judgment against those invoking that name, as well as for the benefit of those who witness. Thus, even if individuals may scorn those who perform miracles, they should still glorify God, for it is in His name that numerous wonders are accomplished. Consider Saul, Balaam, and Caiaphas, who prophesied without understanding their own words; Pharaoh and Nebuchadnezzar interpreted visions that foretold future events, and the sons of Sceva were seen casting out demons, as noted in the Acts of the Apostles. Moreover, it is noted that Judas, despite harboring a traitor's heart, also performed many signs among the other apostles."},{"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":"However, Christ did not merely stop at these statements (Matthew 7:21); He spoke further: ‘Many will say to Me in that day, \\"Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name? Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name?\\"’ This indicates that it is not only those who lack genuine faith but also those who perform numerous miraculous works in His name without embodying goodness that will be excluded from the kingdom of heaven. Notice how subtly the Saviour unveils His true identity and, upon concluding His discourse, names Himself as the Judge. He previously asserted that punishment awaits sinners, and here He clarifies who will face that punishment. While He does not state explicitly, \\"I will punish,\\" His words suggest this when many will approach Him. If He were not the Judge, how could He say to His listeners, ‘And then I will declare to them, “I never knew you; depart from Me” (Matthew 7:23)’—not only at the time of judgment but even while you performed these miracles? Thus, He instructs His disciples: “do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven” (Lk. 10:20). Indeed, He consistently emphasizes the importance of living righteously."},{"author-name":"Cyrill of Alexandria","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88a8ea5c988a4fc073480_Cyrill%20of%20Alexandria.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":5,"exegesis-text":"This message is aimed at individuals who initially had a genuine faith and made significant strides in righteousness, performing miracles, casting out evil spirits, and prophesying. However, they later chose to pursue wickedness out of their own despair and ambition. When He declares, “I never knew you,” it signifies that He considers those who began their journey in virtue but ultimately ended up in sin to be on the same level as those He has never recognized. The Lord affirms that He knows those whom He loves, and His love is for those who fully trust in Him and strive to do what pleases Him."},{"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":"In the early days of preaching, many—including those who were unworthy—were able to cast out demons, for the demons departed at the mention of Jesus’ name. Divine grace operates even through those who may not merit it, similar to how we receive holiness through unworthy ministers; indeed, Judas performed wonders, much like the sons of Sceva."},{"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":"The punishment that awaits wrongdoers has been previously noted; now, attention turns to the one who faces this punishment, specifically, Himself. He indicated that not everyone who places their faith in Me can enter the Kingdom of Heaven unless they also strive for a better way of living. He further adds something even more astonishing: those who perform signs and miracles will not be granted entrance into this kingdom if they lead a life unworthy of such honor. Even those who have accomplished many remarkable acts will be equally cast aside, for they have neglected to care for their own conduct. Many will protest to Me on that day, claiming various things. This day is referred to as the day of judgment, which is recognized and anticipated, and the acts He referred to are called signs and wonders."},{"author-name":"Gregorios Palamas","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88bfc03f555204c307b7e_Gregorios%20Palamas.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":14,"exegesis-text":"It is not essential for us to possess the ability to expel evil spirits; even if we could, it would serve little purpose if we live recklessly. Christ clearly states, “Many shall say unto me in this day, Lord, did not we prophesy in thy name, and cast out devils in thy name? - And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: Depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Matthew 7:22-23). Thus, it is far more beneficial to rid our souls of the vices of lust, anger, hatred, and pride than to simply drive out demons. The goal is not solely to eliminate sinful behaviors, but also to cleanse the deeper, often hidden affections of the soul. Our hearts give rise to wicked thoughts, adultery, fornication, murder, theft, and other transgressions; these are the forces that lead humanity astray."},{"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 gifts of prophecy and miracles are undeniably significant among the extraordinary graces bestowed by God; however, their purpose is not solely for the salvation of those who receive them, but rather for the strengthening of faith and the salvation of others. Recipients bear the responsibility to maintain these gifts with a pure heart and to employ them exclusively for the glory of God and for the spiritual upliftment of others. Should they allow these gifts to serve their own pride, they risk leading their souls to destruction, especially if they fail to adhere to the commandments of the Gospel and to grow in genuine love for God. The importance of God's gifts makes their misapplication even more perilous. This is why St. Paul emphasizes: \\"But though I speak with human tongues and angelic tongues, I have no love, I am like a sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal: and though I have prophecy, and know all mysteries, and all understanding, and though I have all faith, even to move mountains, I have no love, I am nothing\\" (1 Corinthians 13:1, 2). To cultivate this holy and sincere love for God and neighbor, and to adhere to the spirit of the Gospel commandments, the Savior concluded His Divine Sermon delivered on the mount to His disciples and the multitude with crucial teachings that merit our contemplation (see Matthew 7:24-27)."},{"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":"That particular day is referred to as the day of Judgment, as understood and anticipated. It is not without significance in invoking Thy name. Through the appeal to Thy name, the articulation of Thy name, and by the strength of Thy name (cf. Acts 3:6, Acts 19:13). It was foretold—not merely in the context of predicting future events, but also in the instruction imparted (see, for example, 1 Cor. 12:10). They expelled unclean spirits. Generally, they brought healing to individuals tormented by demonic forces (cf. note on Matt. 4:24). They accomplished miraculous deeds. They executed acts that were beyond human capability, carried out through divine intervention, both within the natural world and within the human soul."},{"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":"Our Lord Jesus Christ proclaims a faith so powerful that it has the capacity to perform miracles. Consider what He predicts that many will assert on the day of His Final Judgment, a day anticipated by all: 'O LORD, O LORD! DID WE NOT PROPHESY IN YOUR NAME? Was it not in Your name that we preached and taught? AND DID WE NOT EXPEL DEMONS IN YOUR NAME? AND DID WE NOT PERFORM MANY MIRACLES IN YOUR NAME?"},{"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":"In the early days of Christian preaching, numerous individuals were able to drive out demons and engage in miraculous acts, despite being unworthy themselves and relying solely on the authority of Jesus' name. The phrase “I have never known you” signifies a lack of love due to an evil heart, indicating that when you performed miracles in my name, this knowledge pertains to love."},{"author-name":"Gladkow B.I.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88bf0ceef8c96e09a6521_Gladkow%20B.I..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The core message of the Sermon on the Mount In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus articulated to His disciples and the gathered crowd the significance of human life on earth, outlined the path to fulfill that purpose, and conclusively emphasized that the means He described—the adherence to His commandments and acts of righteousness—were essential for attaining that aim. The apostles, as the initial interpreters of Christ's words, grasped His admonition, ‘Not everyone who speaks to Me...’. They conveyed the belief that true faith only manifests its saving power when reflected in actions. The Apostle James, in his epistle, questioned: ‘What good is it, my brethren, if anyone says that he has faith, but has no works? Can this faith save him? Faith without works is dead’ (James 2:14-26). Likewise, the Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians, ‘If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries, and have all knowledge and all faith, so that I can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing’ (1 Cor. 13:2). The Apostle John, in his first epistle, declared: ‘Whoever says, “I have come to know Him,” but does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and there is no truth in him’ (1 John 2:4). \\n\\nIn light of these teachings from Jesus and their apostolic interpretation, the Orthodox Church acknowledges that sinful humanity cannot attain justification before God solely through faith. Instead, to attain justification and avoid the consequence of our sins, we must present our good deeds, which can balance the weight of our faults in the divine scales of justice. The tenet that faith without works is insufficient to save us and grant us entry into the Kingdom of Heaven is also upheld by the Catholic Church. However, many Protestants, who have diverged from Catholic teachings, contend that faith alone can justify a person, rendering works unnecessary. They support this perspective with references to other sayings of Jesus, notably: ‘Courage, daughter, your faith has saved you, and according to your faith it shall be done for you’ (Matthew 9:22, 29). \\n\\nWhile Christ made it abundantly clear through these statements that only those who recognized His miraculous power—and believed in His ability to heal—could receive such healing and not necessarily justification, some Protestants misconstrue this teaching and dismiss the need for good works and adherence to His commandments in the pursuit of forgiveness. This misinterpretation gained traction in 1874 among the elite social circles of St. Petersburg, largely due to the preaching of Lord Redstock from England, and it subsequently spread across Russia through the efforts of his follower, Colonel Vasily Alexandrovich Pashkov, a wealthy individual who invested substantial funds in this cause. Together, they established a sect in Russia known as the Pashkov sect. \\n\\nThe foundation of their doctrine asserts that Christ came to liberate humanity from sin and death; He sacrificed Himself for human sins and rose again for salvation. They claim that through His death and resurrection, He justified all of humanity's sins—both past and future—requiring only faith from individuals for salvation. Therefore, they proclaim: believe, and you will be saved! This belief dismisses works entirely, suggesting that even though good deeds are naturally the fruit of faith, they bear no significance for salvation. \\n\\nHaving deemed good works unnecessary for salvation, the Pashkovites renounced the entirety of conventional church practices, including worship, sacraments, and the veneration of icons and saints. To gain a deeper understanding of the Pashkovian beliefs, I attended a gathering of their followers in the winter of 1908 at 43 Morskaya Street, St. Petersburg. The preacher, after recounting the conversion of Cornelius as described in the tenth chapter of the Acts of the Apostles, claimed that neither Cornelius's piety, good deeds, nor prayers could secure his salvation; faith alone was the saving factor. He reiterated multiple times that only faith in Jesus Christ, who bore the sins of all and redeemed those who believe in Him by His crucifixion, brings salvation. \\n\\nThe preacher further exclaimed, ‘I see the Cross on which the Lord was crucified; and I see my sins upon that Cross. Since those sins cannot exist in two places simultaneously, they are not upon me! I am saved! Each of you here can also have your sins forgiven and be saved without leaving this hall, provided you believe in our Lord Jesus Christ. Remember that neither piety, good works, nor prayer can save; faith alone is what saves. Just believe, and you will be saved!’ \\n\\nAlthough there are many individuals among the sectarians and Pashkovites who lead lives of strict morality and integrity, this does not prevent them from embracing a doctrine that dangerously minimizes the importance of good deeds. They find solace in the belief that Christ suffered for them, providing a blanket justification for their past and future sins. Followers of this doctrine may reason that if their future transgressions are forgiven due to their faith in Christ, they need not trouble themselves with acts of goodness towards others. Why should they refrain from wrongdoing if it serves their interests? Why not exploit others for personal gain, or remove obstacles in pursuit of their objectives? Ultimately, why should they invest in love for others when self-interest and self-love appear to offer greater returns? These are the thoughts that may occupy a Pashkovite’s mind when faith in Jesus’ redemptive work offers them what they perceive as unconditional pardon for both past and future wrongdoings."}]}
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