Matthew 18:14 — Community Reflections

MATTHEW 18:14 — KING JAMES VERSION 0

“Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.”

So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish. The Father's will regarding the little ones: not one should perish. The community's care for the little ones — refusing to despise them, seeking the strayed — is the community's participation in the Father's will. The one who despises and ignores the little one is working against the Father's will.

Church Fathers on Matthew 18:14

The Lord had said, under the type of hand, foot, and eye, that all kin and connection which could afford scandal must be cut off. The harshness of this declaration He accordingly tempers with the following precept, saying, 'Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones;' i. e. As far as you may avoid despising them, but next to your own salvation seek also to heal them. But if ye see that they hold to their sins, it is better that ye be saved, than that ye perish in…
Jerome · 4th century

Or otherwise; As to shun the evil, so to honour the good, has great recompense. Above then He had bid them to cut off the friendships of those that gave offence, here He teaches them to shew honour and service to the saints.
Chrysostom · 4th century

Or otherwise; Because so great evils come of brethren being scandalized, 'Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones.'
Gloss (Glossa Ordinaria) · medieval compilation · ap. Anselm

Read all 26 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain

COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS

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