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MATTHEW 7:17 — KING JAMES VERSION 0
Matt 7:16Matt 7:18
“Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.”
So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. The positive statement of the diagnostic principle: the tree's internal health determines its external fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit; a diseased tree cannot bear good fruit (verse 18). The consistency of the relationship between internal health and external fruit is the basis for the diagnostic confidence: if you examine the fruit carefully and consistently, you will know the tree. 2 Corinthians 11:14–15 warns that Satan disguises himself as an angel of light and his servants as servants of righteousness — the disguise does not hold up under the fruit examination.

Church Fathers on Matthew 7:17

The Lord had before commanded His Apostles, that they should not do their alms, prayers, and fastings before men, as the hypocrites; and that they might know that all these things may be done in hypocrisy, He speaks saying, 'Take heed of false prophets.'

Pseudo-Chrysostom · 5th century

When the Lord had said that there were few that find the strait gate and narrow way, that heretics, who often commend themselves because of the smallness of their numbers, might not here intrude themselves, He straightway subjoins, 'Take heed of false prophets.'

Augustine · 4th century · Serm. in Mont., ii, 23

Having taught that the gate is strait, because there are many that pervert the way that leads to it, He proceeds, 'Take heed of false prophets.' In the which that they might be the more careful, He reminds them of the things that were done among their fathers, calling them 'false prophets;' for even in that day the like things fell out.

Chrysostom · 4th century
Read all 21 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain
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