13 "You are the salt of the earth ; but if the salt has become tasteless , how e can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything , except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men .
14 "You are the light of the world . A city set on a hill cannot e be hidden ; 15 nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket , but on the lampstand , and it gives light to all who are in the house . 16 "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works , and glorify your Father who is in heaven .
17 "Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets ; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill . 18 "For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away , not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished . 19 "Whoever e then annuls one of the least of these commandments , and teaches others to do the same , shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven ; but whoever e keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven . 20 "For I say to you that unless e your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees , you will not enter the kingdom of heaven .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Matthew 5:13-20
Commentary on Matthew 5:13-16
(Read Matthew 5:13-16)
Ye are the salt of the earth. Mankind, lying in ignorance and wickedness, were as a vast heap, ready to putrify; but Christ sent forth his disciples, by their lives and doctrines to season it with knowledge and grace. If they are not such as they should be, they are as salt that has lost its savour. If a man can take up the profession of Christ, and yet remain graceless, no other doctrine, no other means, can make him profitable. Our light must shine, by doing such good works as men may see. What is between God and our souls, must be kept to ourselves; but that which is of itself open to the sight of men, we must study to make suitable to our profession, and praiseworthy. We must aim at the glory of God.
Commentary on Matthew 5:17-20
(Read Matthew 5:17-20)
Let none suppose that Christ allows his people to trifle with any commands of God's holy law. No sinner partakes of Christ's justifying righteousness, till he repents of his evil deeds. The mercy revealed in the gospel leads the believer to still deeper self-abhorrence. The law is the Christian's rule of duty, and he delights therein. If a man, pretending to be Christ's disciple, encourages himself in any allowed disobedience to the holy law of God, or teaches others to do the same, whatever his station or reputation among men may be, he can be no true disciple. Christ's righteousness, imputed to us by faith alone, is needed by every one that enters the kingdom of grace or of glory; but the new creation of the heart to holiness, produces a thorough change in a man's temper and conduct.