14 Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.
14 In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.
14 So it is not the will of my
14 Your Father in heaven feels the same way. He doesn't want to lose even one of these simple believers.
14 Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.
14 In the same way, it is not my heavenly Father's will that even one of these little ones should perish.
5 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.
5 So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace.
5 So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace.
5 It's the same today. There's a fiercely loyal minority still - not many, perhaps, but probably more than you think.
5 Even so then, at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace.
5 It is the same today, for a few of the people of Israel have remained faithful because of God's grace-his undeserved kindness in choosing them.
(Read Romans 11:1-10)
There was a chosen remnant of believing Jews, who had righteousness and life by faith in Jesus Christ. These were kept according to the election of grace. If then this election was of grace, it could not be of works, either performed or foreseen. Every truly good disposition in a fallen creature must be the effect, therefore it cannot be the cause, of the grace of God bestowed on him. Salvation from the first to the last must be either of grace or of debt. These things are so directly contrary to each other that they cannot be blended together. God glorifies his grace by changing the hearts and tempers of the rebellious. How then should they wonder and praise him! The Jewish nation were as in a deep sleep, without knowledge of their danger, or concern about it; having no sense of their need of the Saviour, or of their being upon the borders of eternal ruin. David, having by the Spirit foretold the sufferings of Christ from his own people, the Jews, foretells the dreadful judgments of God upon them for it, Psalm 69. This teaches us how to understand other prayers of David against his enemies; they are prophecies of the judgments of God, not expressions of his own anger. Divine curses will work long; and we have our eyes darkened, if we are bowed down in worldly-mindedness.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Matthew 18:14
Commentary on Matthew 18:7-14
(Read Matthew 18:7-14)
Considering the cunning and malice of Satan, and the weakness and depravity of men's hearts, it is not possible but that there should be offences. God permits them for wise and holy ends, that those who are sincere, and those who are not, may be made known. Being told before, that there will be seducers, tempters, persecutors, and bad examples, let us stand on our guard. We must, as far as lawfully we may, part with what we cannot keep without being entangled by it in sin. The outward occasions of sin must be avoided. If we live after the flesh, we must die. If we, through the Spirit, mortify the deeds of the body, we shall live. Christ came into the world to save souls, and he will reckon severely with those who hinder the progress of others who are setting their faces heavenward. And shall any of us refuse attention to those whom the Son of God came to seek and to save? A father takes care of all his children, but is particularly tender of the little ones.