Bible Study: Matthew Chapter 5

Part 2

The sermon on the mount.

5. Adultery

Jesus brings a new standard. He mentions that it is not just sleeping with another man’s wife or another woman’s husband that is considered adultery, but simply looking at another man’s wife or another woman’s husband lustfully is also adultery. He says it is ‘adultery of the heart’. Jesus once again let’s us understand that sin first begins in the heart and it needs to be dealt with on that level as well.

6. Divorce

Divorce was permissible according to the law, but Jesus brought a new standard. Stating that marrying a divorced person is as good as adultery unless the reason for divorce was unfaithfulness.

No be me talk am. Na Jesus

“But I say that a man who divorces his wife, unless she has been unfaithful, causes her to commit adultery. And anyone who marries a divorced woman also commits adultery.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5:32‬ ‭NLT‬‬

7. Vows

Jesus says that we should not make vows and that we should be accountable and true to our words.

8. Revenge

The old laws say that you can punish someone who has offended you.

An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.

But Jesus says that if someone slaps one cheek, you turn the other cheek. Jesus does not want us to take revenge on people that hurt us.

9. Enemies

The old law says to love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But Jesus is telling us to love every one even our enemies. He mentions how God is a perfect example of love to us. He causes the sun and the rain to fall on both good and evil people. He calls us to be made perfect in love, even as our Father in heaven is perfect.

“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy.

But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven.

For He gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and He sends rain on the just and the unjust alike.

If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that.

But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5:43–48‬ ‭NLT‬‬