←
Explanation for:
Matthew
10
:
28
And fear ye not them that kill the body, and are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him that can destroy both soul and body in hell.
11
more explanations
& daily audio-books
spoken by
– enjoy in Theosis App –
Start your
Bible-journey
with explanations
& daily audio-books
only 4$* per month
{"arr":[{"author-name":"Justin Martyr","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c890f39753dde91f8a1cd9_Justin%20Martyr.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":2,"exegesis-text":"Gehenna is the destination for those who acted unjustly and rejected the truth of God's teachings as revealed through Christ."},{"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":"After uplifting and encouraging them, He once more predicts the perils ahead, elevating their spirits and raising them above earthly concerns. Do you notice how He places them in a position of prominence? Not merely above worries, slander, threats, and accusations, but He motivates them to scorn the most terrifying of all - death itself, and particularly, a violent death. He does not merely state that they will face death; instead, with His inherent authority, He unveils the truth, as He always does, by using contrasting expressions. What does He convey? Are you fearful of death, and thus hesitant to proclaim the gospel? Yet, it is precisely because of this fear that you are compelled to proclaim it. This will save you from the true death. Although they may take your life, they cannot extinguish what is most precious within you, despite their efforts to do so. For this reason, He does not say, ‘The souls of those who do not kill,’ but rather, ‘those who cannot kill.’ They may wish to harm you, but they lack the power to do so. Therefore, if you are afraid of suffering, take heed; there is an even greater suffering to fear. Notice that He does not promise them escape from death. Instead, by allowing them to face death, He grants a greater blessing than if He had shielded them from such trials. Indeed, leading them to regard death with contempt is far more vital than simply freeing them from it."},{"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 said, ‘Do not fear those who can kill the body, yet cannot destroy the soul.' We notice that those who heard the words ‘All flee’ (cf. Matt. 10:23) now bravely offer themselves as living testimonies, rejoicing in their faith before all nations. His statement of ‘Do not fear those who kill the body’ serves to remind us that their authority is limited to the physical form; however, God holds authority over both body and soul, able to cast them into Gehenna. Some might question, ‘How can souls face destruction in Gehenna when they are not subject to decay or death?’ They may wonder, ‘How can the body face demise in that place where worms and the gnashing of teeth exist?’ This scripture offers clarity: not only does the immortal soul persist, but the body endures in a manner that does not lead to final destruction. The reference to those who ‘destroy the body’ pertains specifically to temporary death. If the body were truly obliterated, it could not exist in Gehenna, for that place afflicts living bodies rather than decayed forms. Many are troubled by the idea of decay and are despondent over temporary death; thus, the Lord intended to encourage them with His words, urging them to fear Him who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna. Souls do not face death in a manner that leads to annihilation, nor does God retract His gifts that are given without regret. The assured promise of the resurrection of the body will never be in vain. ‘Fear not,’ for indeed the soul is eternal; if it were mortal, there would be cause for fear. In this regard, there is no need to fear for our bodies, which may perish, since it is only God who has the power to bring about their destruction. Just as the body is formed by God, so too is the soul created by Him; and He who brought both body and soul from nothing can likewise restore them to life after death. The immortal soul cannot resurrect the dead body, but it is solely God who accomplishes this task. ‘Do not be afraid of those who seek to take your life, for your true life remains unaffected by their actions.’ He clarified this because the disciples had already heard, and could hear from the Sadducees and others, that there would be no resurrection of the dead. Souls experience torment in Gehenna just as bodies do, indicating that they face suffering rather than total annihilation."},{"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":"Those who take the life of the body cannot destroy the soul; thus, the soul remains unseen and non-physical when compared to the more tangible aspect of our bodily existence. Alternatively, it may be suggested that the soul will face punishment and anguish at the time of rejoining its former body, enduring suffering alongside the body with which it sinned. The term Gehenna does not appear in the earliest texts and is introduced for the first time by the Savior. Therefore, let us consider the context that led to the use of this term. We repeatedly read that the idol of Baal was located near Jerusalem at the base of Mount Moriah, close to the stream of Siloam (1 Kings 11:7). It was a valley and a low-lying area, moist and filled with trees, possessing many beautiful spots; a grove was also dedicated to this idol. The people of Israel fell into such folly that they abandoned the nearby temple, offering sacrifices there; the true rigor of faith was overwhelmed by their desires, leading them to burn their sons as offerings to demons. This location became known as Gehenna, or the valley of the sons, or the sons of Nippoth. This is documented extensively in the books of Kings (2 Kings 23:10), Chronicles (2 Chronicles 28:3-4), and Jeremiah (Jeremiah 7:31-32; Jeremiah 19:5-6; Jeremiah 32:35). God declares that He will fill this very place with the corpses of the fallen, transforming its name from Tophet and Baal to Polyandrium, meaning the hill of the dead. Therefore, this name signifies the future punishments and eternal torments that await sinners; we find that Gehenna consists of two forms, one of intense heat and the other of severe cold, elaborately discussed in the book of Job (Job 24)."},{"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 fear those who can take your physical life, for a person's true essence lies not in their body but in their spirit. God fashioned mankind in His likeness and cherishes the soul, creating the universe for its benefit. The adversary, envious of the soul, relentlessly pursues it. For the sake of humanity, the Son of God entered this world. The body serves as the soul's covering, as expressed by the apostle: “For we, being in this hut, sigh under burdens, because we do not want to be overthrown, but to be clothed, so that mortal things may be swallowed up in life” (2 Corinthians 5:4). Therefore, if someone, in their rage, rends the clothing that envelops a person, the individual may feel affronted, yet their essence remains untouched; similarly, if wicked individuals terminate the body, the soul may experience anguish at its demise but remains unharmed in its true nature. Why then do you claim that the soul ceases to exist? Is it not endowed with immortality? Death signifies not only the end of physical life but also serves as a form of retribution. Hence, Paul asserts, “I die every day: I bear witness of this by your praise, brethren, which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord” (1 Cor. 15:31). Moreover, John reveals in his Revelation, “Blessed is he that hath part in the first resurrection: over them the second death shall have no power” (Rev. 20:6). The second death, which involves fire and brimstone, indicates that condemnation does not refer to the annihilation of the soul but rather to the torments of Gehenna; this defines the second death."},{"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":"The good news of salvation represents true life, while unrighteousness and ignorance signify the demise of the spirit. Consequently, the spirit can indeed experience death, yet still retains its immortality. In what manner, then, is it everlasting? It possesses an inherent life that never wanes within it. And how does it face death? Not by the absence of life, but rather by departing from it. Both the spirit and life are distinct entities, with the spirit itself endowed with its own vitality. Observe the hierarchy of creation: the life of the physical body is the spirit, and God embodies the life of the spirit. Just as vitality exists within the body, meaning the spirit is present to sustain it, so too must there be life within the spirit, which is God, to ensure that the spirit remains alive. How does the body meet death? It occurs when it separates from the spirit. As previously mentioned, we explore the question of why the body ceases to function: it is due to the disunion from its source of life—the spirit. Now, why does the spirit die? It happens when it is forsaken by its source of life—God. Therefore, having understood this concept in brief, remember that the body is lifeless without the spirit, and the spirit is lifeless without God. Anyone living apart from God has a spirit that is essentially dead. Rather than lamenting the deceased, let your sorrow be directed toward sin, wickedness, and disbelief."},{"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":"He instructs us to disregard death, as the torment in Gehenna is exceedingly worse. Killers inflict damage solely on the physical body, which may still allow for the salvation of the soul; however, by sending them to Gehenna, God delivers judgment upon both the soul and the body. When He mentions “in Gehenna,” He emphasizes the everlasting nature of this punishment, for the term “Gehenna” comes from a Greek word that signifies eternal existence."},{"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":"After addressing various risks, he turns his attention to the matter of bodily harm, foretelling it and urging to regard it lightly. Do not fear those who can kill the body; rather, have reverence for the one who has appointed you to this mission and follow His commands. While they may take away the physical form, they cannot annihilate the spirit; however, He can bring both soul and body to destruction in hell. Thus, consider the nature of fear: the fear of humanity, which is lesser, should be overshadowed by the fear of God, the greater concern. Furthermore, he offers reassurance regarding the apprehension of death: notice what he states: see Matthew 10:29."},{"author-name":"Jewgenij A. Popow","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The spirit remains eternal and cannot perish or decay, as it is not a physical entity. It cannot vanish, for it is a delicate, simple, and unseen energy. There is nothing that can hinder its existence beyond the death of the physical form, as the same heavenly beings and angels endure. Moreover, even the human body shall rise again: ‘they that are in the tombs shall arise’ (Is. 26:19). The certainty of life after death is undeniable. To deny faith in immortality is profoundly unsettling, for without this belief, an individual may recklessly choose to end their life or, rather than seeking God, may succumb to a desire for a natural death to avoid confronting their conscience, which could torment them and potentially lead them to repent for their wrongdoing. In essence, they may wish for immediate death to escape such inner conflict."},{"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":"In boldly proclaiming their message, the Apostles faced significant risks, prompting the Lord to instruct them to disregard even death itself: \\"And Fear NOT THOSE WHO KILL THE BODY, BUT CANNOT KILL THE SOUL.\\" They should not abandon their mission due to these threats. As St. Chrysostom observes, Christ elevates them above worries, slander, dangers, and accusations, encouraging them to scorn the most dreadful reality—death, and particularly a violent death. This attitude will liberate them from true death because, though they may face execution, their essence will remain untouched by those who seek to harm them, no matter how earnestly they attempt to do so. Therefore, Christ emphasizes that it is the souls of those who cannot kill that truly matter. While others may desire to take life, they ultimately lack the authority to do so. \\n\\nIf apprehension about suffering arises, it is crucial to recognize an even greater fear: the one who can destroy both soul and body in hell. This is the one who has called you to this task, who will require an accounting for the responsibilities entrusted to you, and who possesses the ability to inflict punishment not only in this life but throughout eternity. Let the fear of humanity be measured against the reverence for God. The temporal death faced by all pales in comparison to the eternal separation in hell. In this manner, the Lord reassured His followers of the doctrine of the soul's immortality, ensuring they would not perceive their trials and eventual martyrdom as being abandoned ..."},{"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":"Those who take the life of the body are individuals who, in the act of harming or subduing the flesh, lack the ability, even if they wished, to harm the spirit or strip it of its life as they do with the physical body. The body is inferior to the spirit; the death of the body is insignificant when compared to everlasting separation from God, which He can impose upon the soul along with the body in Gehenna. \\"Overcome fear by fear, - fear of men - fear of God.\\""}]}
Support this project and get full access for only 4$/month
Commentarie text can’t be scrolled on PC at the moment. Please use your phone. We’re working on a fix.
