Viewing the King James Version. Click to switch to 1611 King James Version of Matthew 7:6.
- King James Bible "Authorized Version", Cambridge Edition
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View Wesley's Notes for Matthew 7:6
7:6 Here is another instance of that transposition, where of the two things proposed, the latter is first treated of. Give not - to dogs - lest turning they rend you: Cast not - to swine - lest they trample them under foot. Yet even then, when the beam is cast out of thine own eye, Give not - That is, talk not of the deep things of God to those whom you know to be wallowing in sin. neither declare the great things God hath done for your soul to the profane, furious, persecuting wretches. Talk not of perfection, for instance, to the former; not of your experience to the latter. But our Lord does in nowise forbid us to reprove, as occasion is, both the one and the other.
View People's Bible Notes for Matthew 7:6
Mt 7:6 Give not that which is holy unto dogs. The dog was regarded an unclean animal by the Jewish law. They probably represent snarling, scoffing opposers. The characteristic of dogs is brutality. To try to instill holy things into such low, unclean, and sordid brutal minds is useless. Neither cast ye your pearls before swine. The swine were also unclean. They would have no use for pearls, and perhaps would rush upon those who scattered the pearls. So, too, there are men so dull, imbruted and senseless, as to reject the pearls of truth. It is our duty to help and to try to save others, but we must use common sense.
albtrue's comment on 2013-03-16 21:02:44:
Everything must be said or done according to its perspective. In Matthew 7, Give not that which is Holy [the Gospel, tithes, God’s time for evangelizing, etc..] unto the dogs; judge not that you be not judged, etc… Meaning don’t be a fool. Don’t give that which God has Blessed you with to false prophets, or gentiles, or those that refuse the gospel. Yet how would you know that they are false prophets. You will know them by the fruits they bear [the things they do]. Neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet and turn again and rend you. But how will you know that they are swine. By sincerely praying to God for and receiving the Holy Spirit [Luke 11:13].This does not say, we shouldn’t evangelize, not pay tithes, etc..; because we should. Yet after we have done that which we are commanded to do and find out they are “false prophets; refusers of the gospel, etc…”, then we are to go and give that which is Holy to those who will or have accepted the Gospel, and practice the word of God. There is more to the interpretation of Matthew 7:6, and the whole chapter 7, but I believe the general concept [ideal] is there.
jeffery browning's comment on 2013-01-10 13:40:31:
We did this as part of class one day, and it always confused me.
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