Matthew 7:12
Matthew 7:12
So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
(NIV 84)
DAY 53
Date: 5-25-25
The GOLDEN RULE
* Everything with an asterisk and is italicized and purple is my own added words and thoughts and are not part of the actual verse or quote.
Remind people that the prayer text group can’t be added to. If we want to add a new person to our group, we actually have to create a new group, which is not a problem. I just wanted you to all be aware so that, if we create a new group with a new person, you don’t accidentally use the old group, which would not have the new person included in it.
Pray
Read scripture: Matthew 7:12
12 “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” (NIV 1984)
Quote:
James Montgomery Boice said, (Boice Expositional Commentary) “The Golden Rule, … is probably the most universally praised statement that Jesus ever made.”
That is a huge statement.
William Barclay said about this vs, in his New Daily Study Bible, “THIS is probably the most universally famous thing that Jesus ever said. With this commandment, the Sermon on the Mount reaches its summit. This saying of Jesus has been called ‘the capstone of the whole discourse’. It is the topmost peak of social ethics, and the Everest of all ethical teaching.”
Before we talk about this verse and what it means to us today, let’s take at a little look at the history behind it.
There were those before Jesus, who have said similar things to this “GOLDEN RULE,” found in Matthew 7:12, but they have always taught this teaching in a negative form. For example, a Jew named Tobias said, in teaching his son about life, ‘What you hate, do not do to anyone’ (Tobit 4:15 – in the Apocrypha).
This is very similar to the Golden Rule, but said oppositely, in a negative format.
The Life Application Bible Commentary New Testament says, “The well-known Rabbi Hillel, (who lived a couple generations before Jesus) when challenged to teach the entire Law while standing on one foot, said, “Whatever angers you when you suffer it at the hands of others, do not do it to others, this is the whole law.”
And many others from different religions say things very similar to the Golden Rule, but always framing it in the negative.
William Barclay also said, (New Daily Study Bible) “The same is true of the teaching of other religions. The negative form is one of the basic principles of Confucius. Tsze-Kung asked him: ‘Is there one word which may serve as a rule of practice for all one’s life?’ Confucius said: ‘Is not reciprocity such a word? What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others.’
Now, going back to the Life Application Bible Commentary New Testament, it says, “By stating (the Golden Rule) positively, Jesus made the statement even more significant. It may be easy to refrain from harming others, but it is much more difficult to take the initiative in doing something good for them. A person may be able to keep the negative form of the law by avoiding sin, but to keep the positive form requires action. This is the key to the radical discipleship that Jesus wants. The Golden Rule is the foundation of active goodness and mercy—the kind of love God shows to us every day.”
Q: What do you think about this quote?
A: l, personally, love this quote. I think it is so true that God is PROACTIVE in His active and on-going love for us. And He loves us in so many different ways. There are times when He definitely wants us to Ask, Seek and Knock, but there are many more times when He does not wait for us to figure out what we need. There are times when that may never happen! Often-times He is PROACTIVE in giving us what we need, even before we know we need it. He is amazing!!
Q: So, now, what do you think today’s vs is about?
A: This one verse is worthy of making it the GUIDING PRINCIPLE OF YOUR LIFE!
Q: Do you think this is a command or a suggestion?
A: _____________________________
Q: How is the “doing,” or obeying of this command of Jesus challenging to actually do?
A: _____________________________
Q: How does the Golden Rule relate to the Greatest Commandment?
A: _____________________________
Q: Why do you think Jesus add the phrase at the end, “…for this sums up the Law and the Prophets?” What do you think this means? How important is this little phrase?
Note: Other occupancies of this phrase… “the Law and the Prophets.”
- Matthew 22:40 (NIV 1984) 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (In reference to the Greatest Commandment.)
- Romans 3:21-22 (NIV 1984) 21 But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22 This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.
Q: Considering that this verse “this sums up the Law and the Prophets,” do you now see how Christianity is so “OTHER-CENTERED?”
Q: Is there a relationship or a situation in your life where this Golden Rule would be challenging, or difficult to do? Why?
Q: Considering our fallen state, is the Golden Rule impossible to keep? (On a regular, ongoing basis as a way of life.)
A: Yes! Therefore, it’s ultimate purpose then, is to show us our need of God and our need of dependence on the Holy Spirit. We can only live this way, with an other-centered focus, in the Love and Power and Presence of the Holy Spirit.
Q: Did you ever see the movie, “Pay It Forward?” What do you think the phrase, “PAY IT FORWARD” means? And how does this phrase relate to the Golden Rule?
A: _______________________________________
Q: Notice the little word “So” at the beginning of our vs. What do you think that means?
A: Context is King! Similar to the word “therefore,” this little connects our vs today to the verses before it, making this vs an important “summary” statement of the SOM.
So, if you go back and read the SOM with this vs in mind, it will enhance your understanding of the whole of the SOM.
So, starting the the first immediately preceding vs., vs 11, we see the immediate context of vs 12 is the “good gifts” mentioned in vs 11. Then we could just keep going back from there.
CONCLUSION / SUMMARY
Many philosophers and sages haven proclaimed something similar to this (the Golden Rule), but usually in the negative: Don’t do to others what you hate, or what you don’t want done to you. Jesus goes way beyond just refraining from doing bad things to others. In His version, He turns this so called Golden Rule into an action point, a positive “doing.” We are to act. We are to do. We are to do good. The good that we would have others “do” to us. Do good. Do good as defined by God. This sums up the law and the prophets. Doing good to others is loving God. (See Mt 22:37-40)
We need to be “doers” of the Word. (James 1:22-25)
This includes not only our friends and family and loved ones, but, especially, our enemies. Love your enemies the way that you would want to be loved. Be a blessing to everyone, especially your enemies.
If your enemy is hungry, give him something to eat. If he is thirsty, give him something to drink. (Romans 12:20)
This is to the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31)
To Jesus, it is not enough to just “not do to others what you hate“. We are called to much more.
Just as God so loved the world (John 3:16), we too are called to love the world.
In fact, God wants to love the world THRU US.
THE CHALLENGE
TRUST God.
BELIEVE in Jesus.
Walk in FAITH and OBEDIENCE.
APPLICATION:
Be S.A.L.T. and L.I.G.H.T.
S. = Serve
A. = Appreciate
L. = Listen
T. = Treasure
and
L. = Love
I. = Invest
G. = Grace
H. = Help
T. = Teach
Our book (Holman Commentary) says…
In a Nutshell
Matthew challenges his readers to choose between obeying the will of God and disobeying the will of God. For the believer, this involves humility, self-examination, and dependence on him for everything.
(Remember, There are only two camps! God and Satan. Good and evil. Right and wrong. Obeying God or disobeying God)
Our book (Holman Commentary) says…
MAIN IDEA:
The righteousness of Jesus’ followers will be evident in their relationships and in their daily choices.
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Next Week:
The Narrow and Wide Gates
Matthew 7:13-14
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Notes:
* Everything with an asterisk and is italicized and purple is my own added words and thoughts and are not part of the actual verse or quote.
RELAVANT VERSES
“17 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.” 1 Timothy 6:17-19 (NIV 1984)
James 1:22-25 (NIV 1984) 22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it–he will be blessed in what he does.
Romans 12:17-21 (NIV 1984) 17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody.18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 On the contrary:
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
1 Corinthians 10:31-33 (NIV 1984) 31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 32 Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God– 33 even as I try to please everybody in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.
Quotes:
James Montgomery Noice said, (Boice Expositional Commentary) “The Golden Rule, … is probably the most universally praised statement that Jesus ever made.”
William Barclay said, in his New Daily Study Bible, “THIS is probably the most universally famous thing that Jesus ever said. With this commandment, the Sermon on the Mount reaches its summit. This saying of Jesus has been called ‘the capstone of the whole discourse’. It is the topmost peak of social ethics, and the Everest of all ethical teaching.”
(Life Application Bible Commentary New Testament) This is commonly known as the Golden Rule. Many religions teach a negative version of this statement. Confucius said, “What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others.” The well-known Rabbi Hillel, when challenged to teach the entire Law while standing on one foot, said, “Whatever angers you when you suffer it at the hands of others, do not do it to others, this is the whole law.” By stating this positively, Jesus made the statement even more significant. It may be easy to refrain from harming others, but it is much more difficult to take the initiative in doing something good for them. A person may be able to keep the negative form of the law by avoiding sin, but to keep the positive form requires action. This is the key to the radical discipleship that Jesus wants. The Golden Rule is the foundation of active goodness and mercy—the kind of love God shows to us every day.
(Boice Expositional Commentary) Perhaps we can see this most clearly if we substitute a very good British expression for the word “rule.” The rule as we have it in the phrase “the Golden Rule,” is a ruler, a twelve-inch measuring stick. But in England a ruler is called a straightedge. If this expression is transferred over to the phrase “the Golden Rule” so that it becomes “the Golden Straightedge,” we could accurately say that Matthew 7:12 is God’s straightedge by which a man may know how morally crooked he really is.
That is the purpose of the whole law of which the Golden Rule itself is only a partial summary. What does Paul teach us about the purpose of the law in Romans? He says, “Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin” (Rom. 3:20). Phillips, who is an Englishman and who knows the word “straightedge,” has paraphrased the text, “No man can justify himself before God by a perfect performance of the Law’s demands—indeed it is the straightedge of the Law that shows us how crooked we are.”
Matthew 22:40 (NIV 1984) 40 “All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Romans 3:21-22 (NIV 1984) 21 “But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22 This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe…”
Holman New Testament Commentary – Matthew (Amazon Used hardcovers or Kindle)
Holman New Testament Commentary – Matthew (ChristianBook.com)
Holman Commentary of Matthew in Olive Tree
The Message of Matthew (Bible Speaks Today series) – Michael Green
The Gospel of Matthew: The King and His Kingdom (volume 1) – James Montgomery Boice
The Gospel of Matthew: The King and His Kingdom (volume 2) – James Montgomery Boice
Matthew for Beginners – Mike Mazzalongo
Studies in the Sermon on The Mount – D. Martyn-Lloyd Jones
The Olive Tree Bible App is free and comes with several free books. You can buy additional books if you like.
Olivetree Bible App website – home page