Matthew 18 - gossip

Now, if your brother sins, go and reprove him between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother.

The interesting clause here is metaxu\ souv kai« aujtouv mo/nou. It seems like the knowledge of both the sin and the rebuke are to be kept between you and the offending brother. This would guard against any type of gossip. There is no room for giving the information to any third party, even under the guise of a prayer request.

Matthew 11 - denounce

To denounce is to publicly declare someone or something to be wrong or evil. It is a harsh word, but somehow doesn’t seem to have the impact that comes with ojneidi÷zein, especially in this context. The word is used three times in Matthew and is translated “insult” the other two times.

Matt. 5:11 “Blessed are you when people <insult> you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. 

Matt. 11:20 Then He began to <denounce> the cities in which most of His miracles were done, because they did not repent. 

Matt. 27:44 The robbers who had been crucified with Him were also <insulting> Him with the same words.

“These terms have an especially wide range of meaning, from simple reproach to cursing and blasphemy, with invective, mockery, affront, insult, and abuse included in between. In the language of the LXX, ojneidi÷zw has a technical meaning, because it goes along with declarations of war, is the deed of enemies. It is also an Israelite term for the period of slavery in Egypt and for all the defeats suffered by the chosen people: a dishonor . . . Whatever the source, ojneidismoß is shameful, causes blushing, and is dreaded above all else, because it implies scorn . . . Reading these uses of ojneidismoß , which are all in agreement, may give us a precise idea of the word’s meaning, but it cannot make real to us the emotive density of this term in the world of the first-century christian.” — Ceslas Spicq, Theological Lexicon of the New Testament, pp. 585-587

John has called the nation to repent and pointed them to the promised Messiah, the promised King. But has the doubting nation caused Jesus’ cousin to falter? (11:1-2) In chapters 11-13, I think Jesus is taking the nation to task for failing to heed the call of John, for not embracing her king. Jesus’ judgment is not a gentle nudge in the right direction, but an insulting reprimand.

Matthew 10 - god's love

Therefore, do not be afraid, you are worth more than a great number of sparrows.

Matthew 7 - meditation

Why do you look at the small bit of chaff in your brother’s eye but not carefully consider the heavy plank of wood in your own?

Most translations would lead you to think that the person addressed does not notice their own sin. But the word that most translated "notice" carries a stronger meaning — to “notice, observe carefully . . . to look at in a reflective manner, consider, contemplate . . . to think about carefully, envisage, think about, notice.” (BAGD) The NIV offers the best of the modern translations I have read, while the old KJV nails it.

Consider your own faults carefully, especially when tempted to help someone else with theirs. It may not do much for your self-image, but it will underscore your need for a savior. And that, is a good thing.

Matthew 6 - prayer

Whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, because they love to pray while standing in synagogues and on street corners so that people can see them. Truly I say to you, they have their reward. But whenever you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you. When you pray, do not babble repetitiously like the Gentiles, because they think that by their many words they will be heard. NET

The prohibition against group public prayer. You is plural in this first command, don’t gather in groups to pray in public, whether in places of worship or out in busy public places. You is singular in the positive command that follows, go home and pray alone, in hiding.

The prohibition against babbling. The lexicon defines this “to speak in a way that images the kind of speech pattern of one who stammers, use the same words again and again, speak without thinking.” BADG Do not stammer around with your prayer; do not use the same words and phrases - stop, think, articulate carefully. Don’t ramble on.

Stop and consider who God is.

Listen more than you speak.

Matthew 5 - blessed are the meek

So, I look up pauß in BAGD and it says “pertaining to not being overly impressed by a sense of one’s self-importance, gentle, humble, considerate, meek.” Then I look up meek, most often used to translate in this verse, and Webster’s says, “ 1 : enduring injury with patience and without resentment : mild 2 : deficient in spirit and courage : submissive 3 : not violent or strong : moderate.”

Why do I think that meek is the worst of the possible glosses offered by BAGD to choose for this passage? Humble would be the best option of those offered, but also seems inadequate. On the other hand, I can’t think of a better word. Do we not have an Engish word that means not being overly impressed by a sense of one’s self-importance?

Narcissism — Mental disorder characterized by extreme self-absorption, an exaggerated sense of self-importance, and a need for attention and admiration from others. First identified by Havelock Ellis in 1898, the disorder is named for the mythological Narcissus, who fell in love with his own reflection. In addition to an inflated self-image and addiction to fantasy, narcissism is characterized by an unusual coolness and composure, which is shaken only when the narcissistic confidence is threatened, and by the tendency to take others for granted or to exploit them. According to Sigmund Freud, narcissism is a normal stage in children’s development, but it is considered a disorder when it occurs after puberty. — Encyclopedia - Britannica Online, www.britannica.com