Tim, one word in the passage made it less gnarly for me. When Jesus says "You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye" (Matthew 7:5), hypocrite was the word for a stage actor, someone playing a part under a mask. So the warning lands on taking a role you were never given, the judge's seat that belongs to God, and Jesus still expects you to see clearly enough to help with the speck afterwards.
Tim, glad it helped. He'd already used the word three times in chapter 6, for the hypocrites who give, pray and fast for an audience (6:2, 5, 16), so the actor has been on stage for a while by the time the log comes up.
Yes, we definitely agree. It's never excusable to talk down to anybody, regardless of the sin that they are dealing with.
If we are ever going to confront someone one-on-one about something they shouldn't be doing, we should do so humbly and carefully and with all gentleness. That's the Biblical way of doing it.
This was a great article!!
Thank you, Joanna. Really appreciate the kind of words and support. ❤️
Thank you for needed guidance in a truly gnarly area.
Tim, one word in the passage made it less gnarly for me. When Jesus says "You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye" (Matthew 7:5), hypocrite was the word for a stage actor, someone playing a part under a mask. So the warning lands on taking a role you were never given, the judge's seat that belongs to God, and Jesus still expects you to see clearly enough to help with the speck afterwards.
Well said.
I did not know that hypocrite came from the Greek word for an actor who, as you point out, did perform in masks back then. Fascinating.
Tim, glad it helped. He'd already used the word three times in chapter 6, for the hypocrites who give, pray and fast for an audience (6:2, 5, 16), so the actor has been on stage for a while by the time the log comes up.
Those of us who are sinners can be more compassionate when speaking to someone about their sin, especially, if it was one of our own sins.
Yes, we definitely agree. It's never excusable to talk down to anybody, regardless of the sin that they are dealing with.
If we are ever going to confront someone one-on-one about something they shouldn't be doing, we should do so humbly and carefully and with all gentleness. That's the Biblical way of doing it.