The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1906-03-07
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL,
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS
FOR MARCH IL.

Subject: The Tongue and the Temper,
Matt. ". 33.4s-Golden Text, Pisa.
cxli., 3-Menory Verses, A. 45-Iopics
A Study OF the New Life.
1. Christ's teaching on oaths Tvs. 1897
81. The Saviour has been showing
and now continues to show the reia-
tons in which His gospel stands to the
previous d~ispensation. as being the fui-
flment and confirmation Of true Juda-
ism and the reformation Of degenerate
Judaism" 33. Hath been said" By
the Jews when they received the law
and in their interpretations Of 1t. For
swear" To swear falsely; to perjure.
But shalt perform" We know from
Matt. 23:16-22 that the scribes and
Pharisees declared oaths to be binding
or not binding, according to the sup
posed sanctity of the object sworn BY.
Unto the Lord" The teaching was
that only such oaths as were made
unto the Lord" or in the name OF the
Lord were sacred and needed to be
kept. "Oaths.' All oath is q solemn
affirmation or declaration. 81. But
say" The emphasis here Is on.the"I"
Swear not at all" Profane and COM
mon swearing, with all light, irreyer-
ent oaths, such as are not required by
the civil magistrate. are intended in
our Lords prohibition. Neither by,
heaven" None Of the oaths which y
Lord adduces as specimens are judi
cial oaths. Gods throne" Swear
ing by heaven either has no meaning or
derives it's meaning from the fact that
heaven is the residence. the court, the
throne Of God"
35. 1.-THE EARTH" etc. See lisa. $751;;
Psa. 4S:2.
SO. by thy head" A commonHform
Of oath in the ancient world. 81. Yea
nay" Let your statements be IN a&e
cordance with facts; let your languagas
be simple, and let your answers be Yes
or No. "Cometh Of evil" All swear
ing, genteel or otherwise. comes OF
evil"
II. On the law Of retalistions Tvs. So
.42,.
SO. Eye for an eye" AS a legal
remedy the law of r%etalistlen was prob
ably the best possible in a rdde state OF
society. 80. But | say" Christ In
PRODUCES q different method Of dealing
with an assailant. RESIST not evil"
Resist not him that is evil" Turn
the other" 1t is the preparedness af-
ter one indignity, not to invite. but to
submit meekly to another, without re-
taliation, which this strong language 10
meant to convey.
40. "Coat-cloak." The coat was the
inner garment, the cloak was the outer
and more costly one.
Al. Compel thee" etc. Officers and
couriers in the. service Of the Roman
Government travelling through the
provinces had authority to impress any
man or his beast into. service for the
purpose Of carrying them and their
baggage on their journey. A.. Give
turn not thou away" 1nls cannot
mean that an Industrious man Is torg1Ye
at the call of every idier, but it does
mean that we are. to be large-hearted,
generous, ready to help others and
grant favors. We are here exhorted to
patience and forgiveness. l.. When we
receive in our persons ell sorts OF In
suits and affronts ". 39). 2. When
we are Gespoiled Of our goods ". 4W.
8. When our bodies are forced to I'M
dergo all kinds of tolls. vexations and
torments ". AZ. He that avenges him
sell must lose the mind of Christ ana
thus suffer an injury far greater tnan
he can ever receive from man.
ILL.,. On loving enemies Tvs. 43-4sJ.
43. Love thy neighbor." The rabiis
interpreted the command. Thou shaiC,
love thy neighbor as myself" In Lev
1918. as referring to Jews only. They;
therefore believed 1t to be right to hate,
the rest of mankind. A. But I say.""l
Jesus opposed this narrow. wicker
view of the case and Extended our
n%eighborhood over all mankind" See,
Luke 1O:25-37. "Love your enemies"
from. 5:5). It has been said that this.
n precept is a sufficient proof Of the,
holiness Of the gospel on those who call
down upon you Gods curses. The
best commentary OH these matchless
counsels is the bright example OF the
One who gave them. See l Pet. I'll
"A; Rom. 1920, 81; l Cor. Alp; 1 Pet,
So" III
IS. "May be the children" etc. To-
act as Christ commands here would be.
te act like God, who blesses those who
curse Him and are His enemies by thei
gifts of sun and rain. This Is divine.I
"Sun to rise" etc. He imparts to all:
alike. but all do not receive alike.
rs. What reward" If you have.
only loved those who love you, you
have only come up to the standard OF;
common sinners. "Publlcans." TAX
~gatherers employed by the Romans
and hated by the Jews.
Al. Brethren only" The promin-
ence of salutation in the SOCIAL life OF
the East gives a special 'vividness to,
this precept. To utter the formal,
peace be with you." to. follow that up;
with manifold compliments and wishes
was to recognize those whom men sa55
luted+ as friends and brothers. But
this the very heather did C"heathen, q
rather than "publicans." being the true
reading); and were the followers or
Christ to be content with merely copy
ing heather customs? Christians mcsr
do to their enemies what the heathenl
did to their friends. What do ye.
more than Others" 1. Disciples have
to do more than others. o. They main1
tain the Christian life: ~ they extend
the cause of Christ. =. They are ao9e
TO do more than others. o. They are
in alliance with God: e, they have;
more moral power. 8. More Is expect
ed of them than Of others. Gu By their;
Saviour: (2) by the world: q, by their
own consciepces. IS. "Bs-perfect.";;
Complete: perfect in love. Take God
rs the model instead of publlcans.