Commentary on Matthew 5:48

Verse: "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect."

Introduction

The call to perfection in Matthew 5:48 stands as a profound challenge to Christians, inviting them into a deeper relationship with God. This verse, part of the Sermon on the Mount, encapsulates the essence of Christ's teachings regarding moral integrity and divine expectation. Commentators such as Matthew Henry, Adam Clarke, and Albert Barnes provide insightful perspectives on the nature of this imperative.

Understanding Perfection

• Matthew Henry:

  Henry explains that "perfect" in this context refers to completeness in love and righteousness. He emphasizes that Christ's command is not an unattainable standard but an invitation to strive for holiness, as God exemplifies.

• Albert Barnes:

  Barnes notes that the term "perfect" should be understood in light of perfect love, suggesting that believers are to emulate God's impartial and unconditional love towards all, regardless of their status or behavior.

• Adam Clarke:

  Clarke elaborates that this pursuit of perfection leads to a manifest maturity in faith. He warns against misconceiving perfection as flawlessness, instead advocating for harmonious growth towards spiritual completeness.

Biblical Context

The Sermon on the Mount presents an ethical framework that challenges conventional morality. Within this context, Matthew 5:48 is not an isolated command but rather a culmination of Jesus’ teachings on anger, lust, love for enemies, and the importance of internal righteousness. Here, perfection is tied to the heart's condition and the believer's response to others.

Imitating God's Character

• Matthew Henry:

  He underscores the importance of imitating God’s character, asserting that perfection involves demonstrating virtues such as mercy, compassion, and forgiveness. This directive encourages believers to reflect God's nature in their daily interactions.

• Albert Barnes:

  Barnes connects perfection with the concept of imitating God in His moral attributes, especially love, stating that the Christian's goal should be to exhibit a Christ-like character that mirrors God’s nature to the world.

• Adam Clarke:

  Clarke stresses that imitating God’s perfection transforms the believer. Such imitation is not merely intellectual but deeply relational, leading to ethical transformation rooted in divine love.

The Role of Grace

Crucial to understanding the call to perfection is the recognition of grace. Without the enabling power of God's grace, the pursuit of perfection can seem daunting or impossible.

• Matthew Henry:

  He asserts that while believers strive for perfection, it is through divine grace that they can achieve progress in holiness. God's grace is the means through which Christians overcome sin and grow in their likeness to Him.

• Albert Barnes:

  Barnes reinforces that the pursuit of perfection must be balanced with an understanding of grace, arguing that the expectation is a lifelong process of becoming rather than a momentary achievement.

• Adam Clarke:

  Clarke elucidates that believers are perfected in Christ, emphasizing that it is through union with Christ and dependence on His Spirit that they can grow into the fullness of God's character.

The Pursuit of Holiness

The call to be perfect demands a practical outworking in the believer's life. It invites Christians not just to a theoretical aspiration but to actual living out of their faith.

• Matthew Henry:

  He encourages believers to engage in daily practices that cultivate holiness, such as prayer, scripture study, and fellowship, asserting that these are means by which they can grow towards perfection.

• Albert Barnes:

  Barnes contextualizes this pursuit within the believer's daily life, urging that actions of love, charity, and service reflect one's commitment to becoming more like Christ.

• Adam Clarke:

  Clarke posits that true holiness manifests itself in behaviors that reflect one’s proximity to God, encouraging believers to engage in a lifestyle that exhibits their growth in spiritual maturity.

Conclusion

Matthew 5:48 serves as both a challenge and an encouragement. The call to perfection is not indicative of human capability to achieve flawlessness, but rather an invitation to embrace a transformative relationship with God through which believers can reflect His perfect love and righteousness. Insights from established commentators highlight the continuous journey toward spiritual maturity, emphasizing the necessity of grace, the importance of imitating God, and the practical ways in which holiness can be lived out. For pastors, students, theologians, and scholars alike, this verse becomes a cornerstone for understanding Christian ethical living—a lifelong pursuit marked by grace, growth, and godliness.