I Have Not Known You:
Depart From Me,
You That Work Iniquity
By Jonathan Mitchell
This study will address Mat. 7:22-23, in the passage below, which will display its immediate context, within the "Sermon on the Mount." So, let us first read the context:
13. "You folks enter at once through the narrow, restrictive and cramping gate [note: is this a picture of being brought to birth?] - because wide [is] the gate and spacious (roomy, having the characteristics of free, open country) [is] roadway habitually leading off into the loosing-away of loss and destruction (or: demolition), and many are the folks continuously (or: one after another in a steady stream) entering through it -
14. "for the gate is narrow, cramping and restrictive which is habitually leading off into the Life - and the path has been compressed and squeezed [to where the traveler is being pressed and encumbered] - and the folks presently (or: one after another, in a continuous procession) finding it are few.
15. "Constantly apply yourselves to holding off the false prophets - whatsoever ones that are habitually coming to you folks in clothing belonging to sheep (= disguised as sheep; pretending to have the covering or appearance of sheep), yet inside they are ravenous, savage wolves.
16. "You will come to be recognizing and fully knowing them from their fruits. People are not normally picking or gathering clusters of grapes from thorn bushes (prickly plants), nor ripe figs from thistles or briers.
17. "Likewise every good (or: = healthy) tree constantly produces fine, beautiful (choice; ideal) fruit, but the decaying and rotten tree repeatedly bears bad and worthless (= inedible) fruit.
18. "A good, healthy tree normally has no power to bear bad and worthless fruit, neither [is] a rotten tree [able] to continue producing fine, beautiful fruit.
19. "Every tree not habitually producing choice, ideal fruit is normally being cut out [of the orchard] - and is normally being thrown into a fire (= used for fire wood).
20. "Consequently, you folks will recognize and come to accurately know them from their fruits (= from what their lives produce).
21. "Not everyone constantly saying to Me, 'O Lord! Lord!' will proceed to be entering into the reign (or: sovereign rule; kingdom; dominion, realm of action and activities) of the heavens (or: which has the character of, and emanates from, the atmospheres) but rather, the one habitually performing the result or progressively producing the effect of the will, intent and purpose of My Father - the One within and in union with the heavens, and in the midst of the atmospheres - [will proceed entering].
22. "Within (or: On) That Day many will repeatedly say to Me, 'Lord! O Lord! do (or: did) we not prophesy in (or: by) Your Name? And do (or: did) we not cast out demons (Hellenistic concept and term: = animistic influences) in (or: by) Your Name? And do (or: did) we not perform many works of power and ability in (or: by) Your Name?
23. "And at that time I will repeatedly confess assuredly to them, 'I never came to know or became acquainted with you folks (or: I not even once had intimate, experiential knowledge of you). Those people habitually working (performing; or: making a trade of; making a living in) the lawlessness are now to go off to a space (or: territory) away, and proceed in giving way to Me and making room for Me.' [Ps. 6:9]
24. "Everyone, then (or: therefore), who continues obediently hearing these words (thoughts; ideas; messages) of Mine, and habitually does them (or: acts on them), will progressively be made to be and to become like an intelligent, considerate, thoughtful, prudent and sensible adult male, who builds (or: built) his house upon the rock-mass.
25. "And when the rain descended (or: falls) and the rivers came (or: come) [flooding] and the winds blew (or: blow) and lunged (or: fall toward; lash against) that house, it did (or: does) not fall, for it had been provided with a foundation and continued being established upon the rock-mass.
26. "And by contrast, everyone who continues hearing the words (thoughts; ideas; messages) of Mine and yet is not continuing in doing them (or: acting on them) will progressively be made to be and to become like a stupid, senseless adult male (= an ignorant and careless builder) who built (or: builds) his house upon the sand.
27. "And when the rain descended (or: falls) and the rivers came (or: come) [flooding] and the winds blew (or: blow) and lunged (or: fall toward; lash against) that house, it fell (or: falls), and its fall (collapse) was great." [Isa. 28:14-18. Lu.6:46-49]
I took the title of this article from the traditional rendering of vs. 23 as given in the KJV. I trust that my expanded rendering will shed light onto Jesus' words, that we may better understand His meaning. Let me suggest that the conjunction "then (or: therefore)" that opens vs. 24 points us back to what He had just said in vss. 22-23. Verses 24-27 offers a parable that explains the decision (or: judgment) that Jesus pronounces in vs. 23, and that pronouncement describes the situation that pertains to the people that He describes in vs. 21:
"Not everyone constantly saying to Me, 'O Lord! Lord!' will proceed to be entering into the reign (or: sovereign rule; kingdom; dominion, realm of action and activities) of the heavens..."This was an expansion on what He had just said in vs. 19:
"Every tree not habitually producing choice, ideal fruit is normally being cut out [of the orchard] - and is normally being thrown into a fire (= used for fire wood)."
These folks equate to the foolish builders in the parable of vss. 24-27.
So vs. 21a gives a narrative explanation of the metaphorical statement of vs. 19. Verse 27 colors in the outline of both of the above statements. Opening this teaching are the enigmatic verses 13-14 which speak about "entering," or proceeding on the normal path that most of Israel was currently treading. When He said in vs. 14a,
"the gate is narrow, cramping and restrictive which is habitually leading off into the Life,"
He was speaking of "entering into the reign (or: sovereign rule; kingdom; dominion, realm of action and activities) of the heavens" (vs. 21a). Thus, this teaching, from vss. 13-27, is about being a participant in God's reign and sovereign activity, while here in this life. We find this theme throughout His teachings.
John the baptizer used language similar to vs. 19, above, when in Mat. 3:10 he spoke to the Pharisees and Sadducees, and in reference to them (and to their system of religion),
"Now you see, the ax is already continuing lying [being focused] toward (or: facing toward) the root of the trees. Therefore, every tree not habitually (repeatedly; = seasonally) producing beautiful (ideal; fine) fruit is customarily being cut out [of the orchard or garden], and is normally thrown into a fire."
Recall Jesus' words in Jn. 15, about the need for branches to remain in the Vine in order to produce fruit. There, in vs. 6, He said (concerning His followers - people who were at the present time a part of the Vine),
"If anyone can (or: would; should) not continuously remain (dwell; abide; stay) within the midst of and in union with Me, he is cast (or: thrown) outside - as the tender branch (twig; shoot) - and is caused to dry up and wither. And, they are constantly gathering (or: leading) them [other MSS: it] together [as in a bundle]. And then, they are normally throwing (or: casting) [p66 adds: them] into the fire - and it is progressively kindled (repeatedly ignited; or: habitually lit and progressively burned)."
Likewise, our passage here in Mat. 7 is spoken concerning folks who were "God's people" (Israel, or disciples): they had, in this scenario, said to Him (vs. 22),
"'Lord! O Lord! do (or: did) we not prophesy in (or: by) Your Name? And do (or: did) we not cast out demons (Hellenistic concept and term: = animistic influences) in (or: by) Your Name? And do (or: did) we not perform many works of power and ability in (or: by) Your Name?"
These were in the same category as those in Heb. 6:4-6a:
"being enlightened, besides tasting (= experiencing) the heavenly gift and after being born (or: coming to be) common-holders (partners; sharing possessors; joint-participants; associates; partaking members) of set-apart spirit (or: of a holy Breath-effect; or: of [the] Holy Spirit), and then tasting a beautiful gush-effect of God (or: an ideal result of the flow from God; or: God's fine speech; an excellent declaration pertaining to God; a profitable thing spoken, which is God) - besides abilities and powers of an impending age, and yet then falling by the side (or: falling aside along the way)..."
We read of someone who was not a follower of Jesus, but who performed healings or exorcisms in Jesus' name, who might fit the description of those in vs. 22, above:
"John began affirming to Him, "Teacher, we saw a certain man (or: someone) casting out (expelling) demons (Hellenistic concept and term: = animistic influences) in Your name, and we began trying to prevent him (or: kept on forbidding him) because he was not making it his habit to be following and accompanying us" (Mk. 9:38).
In fact, Jesus broadened the area of acts that could be done "in His name," but not be a disciple, in Mk. 9:41,
"whoever may give you folks a cup of water to drink - within (or: in) [the] Name, because you are belonging to Christ..."
Yet we also have the witness of Israel's history, where Yahweh speaks through Jerimiah concerning "the prophets... who prophesy falsehood in My Name" (Jer. 23:25). And in Jer. 29:9 He declares,
"For with falsity they are prophesying to you in My Name; I have not sent them..."
Then in Mat. 24:4-5, Jesus told His disciples,
"You men be constantly looking, seeing, and staying alert, [so that] nothing and no one can mislead or should deceive you folks. You see, many people will be coming, upon [association with; the basis of, or, the supposed authority of; on the reference to] My name, one after another saying, 'I, myself, am the anointed one (or: the Christ),' and they will be leading astray and deceiving many people."
He was warning THOSE men about THEIR upcoming situations, and in 24:11 further warns them,
"Also, many false prophets will proceed in being raised up and they will be progressively leading many folks astray, deceiving them and causing them to wander."
After listing many other things that would happen in their generation, then in vss. 23-26, in reference to their false prophecies that Christ is either in the desert, or in the inner chamber, He says,
"you should not put your trust in [it] or believe [them]."
Paul described the prophets of vs. 22, above, in 1 Cor. 13:2,
"Even if I am continuously holding light ahead of time (or: repeatedly have prophecy), and I may have seen, and thus know, all the secrets (or: every mystery) and all the intimate knowledge (or: insight; gnosis)... yet do not habitually possess (or: progressively have) love and unambiguous, unrestricted acceptance, I am (I exist being) nothing."
Paul also spoke of "false emissaries" and "fraudulent workers," in 2 Cor. 11:13.
But here in Mat. 7:21a, Jesus instructed them:
"Not everyone constantly saying to Me, 'O Lord! Lord!' will proceed to be entering into the reign (or: sovereign rule; kingdom; dominion, realm of action and activities) of the heavens"-
that is, being a part of Christ's anointed representatives who bear the true life of His grace and mercy, as we see in the book of Acts. John the baptizer had told the Pharisees and Sadducees to
"Produce, then, fruit which has a corresponding value to, and is appropriate of, a change in thinking and attitude, as well as a turn [toward God]" (Mat. 3:8).
This was the requirement for being a part of those who participated in God's sovereign activities among humans. If they were not producing the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23), it was because they had not been living in union with the Vine (Jn. 15:1ff). To have an active, living part in Christ's "realm of action," Paul instructed folks:
"Now those whose source and origin is Christ Jesus (or: those who belong to the Anointed Jesus) crucified the flesh (or: put the flesh [system] on an execution stake; or: = associate their old estranged human nature as being put to death along with Christ Jesus), together with the results and effects of the experiences (emotions; feelings; sufferings; passions) and the over-desires (rushing passionately upon things; full-rushing emotions). Since (or: If) we continue living in and by spirit (or: for [the] Spirit; to Breath-effect; or: with attitude), we also can habitually advance orderly in line in regard to, or amidst, elementary principles (or: [observing] rudimentary elements), in and by spirit (or: for [the] Spirit; by Breath-effect; with attitude; or: = walk in rank following [the footsteps] behind the Spirit)." (Gal. 5:24-25) cf Rom. 4:12
In Mat. 21:43-45, Jesus told the chief priests and scribes,
"'Because of this, I am now saying to you men that God's reign (or: the kingdom of God; the influence and activity of God's sovereignty) will be progressively lifted up away from you folks, and it (or: she) will proceed being given to an ethnic multitude (or: nation; people group; swarm of people) consistently producing its (or: her) fruit! Further, the person falling upon this Stone will progressively be shattered together. Yet upon whom it may likely fall, It will be progressively winnowing him and scattering the chaff.' And so, upon hearing His illustrations (parables), the chief and ranking priests - as well as the Pharisees - knew by this experience that He had been speaking about them."
As we observe this larger context of Jesus' ministry and teaching, we can be instructed as to of whom His words in Mat. 7:22-23 were spoken. They applied to the religious leaders in His day, but He remains the same, so we can expect that these words would also speak to us, in our day. Recall Paul's words to Corinth, regarding those who were "building on God's house, in 1 Cor. 3:15
"If anyone's work will be burned down, he will incur a loss (sustain the damage; forfeit [it]), yet he himself will be saved (rescued and delivered; healed and restored to health; returned to his original state and condition), and as in this way - through Fire!"
We saw the need for the cleansing of thorns and thistles from the productive field, in Heb. 6:8,
"when repeatedly and progressively bearing forth thorns and thistles [it is] disqualified (worthless; unable to stand the test [for planting a new crop]) and [is] close to (or: near) [the] curse (or: a down-prayer and a corresponding wish against [the situation] is at hand), the end (the resultant situation) of which [the thorns, briars, thistles and the field is] into [a time of] burning (or: = the field ends up being burned off)."
[comment: this is a time-honored agricultural practice for preparing a field for planting a crop - the competition has been removed and the ground has been enriched by the ash]
The reason that Jesus gave for folks not being chosen to participate in an active role of His reign, here on earth, was,
"I never came to know or became acquainted with you folks (or: I not even once had intimate, experiential knowledge of you)."
This comes from our "abiding" in the Vine (Christ). Also, He informed them that,
"the one habitually performing the result or progressively producing the effect of the will, intent and purpose of My Father - the One within and in union with the heavens, and in the midst of the atmospheres - [will proceed entering]" (vs. 21b, above).
But note the decision that follows from this observation:
"Those people habitually working (performing; or: making a trade of; making a living in) the lawlessness are now to go off to a space (or: territory) away, and proceed in giving way to Me and making room for Me" (vs. 23, above).
Notice how I have rendered the clause, apochóreite ap' emou, conflating three meanings of the verb:
a) go off to a space (or: territory) away
b) proceed in giving way to
c) making room for.
This implies a removal from their present location and position, and a requirement of submitting to Him ("giving way"). He then gives the purpose for this judgment: to "make room for Him." To help us understand what He meant by this, consider what happened to Jerusalem, in AD 70: the Jews lost the war with Rome, and those who survived had to "go off to a space, or territory, away, and then proceed to give way to Him, and make room in their lives FOR Him," so that He could come to intimately know them through experiences in their lives. He continues to do this for all of us, when we need to have our attention turned back to Him (2 Cor. 3:18). Cf Rev. 2:7, 16, 21-23; 3:3b, 19.
Jonathan
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