Matthew Chapter 10 Verse 28
From EJ Hill & Friends
HILL'S BIBLE COMMENTARY
on
MATTHEW CHAPTER 10 VERSE 28
by EJ Hill (1977-)
Contents |
Significance
Matthew chapter 10 verse 28 is of great significance to the debate surrounding the Immortality of the Soul, and the Dichotomy of Man.
During the 1st Century, Tertullian (160-225 AD) aimed to establish, from our text, "A RECOGNITION OF THE NATURAL IMMORTALITY OF THE SOUL" [7|9]
Again, fifteen centuries later, during the 16th Century, we find The Fifth Lateran Council (1512-1517) of the Roman Catholic Church, convened under Pope Julius II (1443-1513), pointing to our text, in seeking to "AFFIRM THE IMMORTALITY OF THE SOUL" [1], since, they say it "is clearly established from the gospel when the Lord says, They cannot kill the soul; ..." [1]
Transliteration
The Authorized King James Version of the Bible
"And fear not them which KILL THE BODY G4983 soma, BUT ARE NOT ABLE TO KILL THE SOUL G5590 psuche: but rather fear Him which is able to DESTROY G622 apollumi BOTH SOUL G5590 psuche AND BODY G4983 soma IN HELL." (Mt. 10v28, AKJV, p.425) [2]
Die Bybel In Praktyk
"Moenie bang wees vir die wat die liggaam doodmaak, maar die siel nie kan doodmaak nie. Nee, vrees Hom eerder wat sowel die liggaam as die siel in die hel kan laat vergaan." (BIP, bl.1399) [15]
The Contemporary English Version of the Bible
"Don't be afraid of people. They can kill you, but they cannot harm your soul. Instead, you should fear God Who can destroy both your body and your soul in hell." (CEV, p.1153) [3]
The Good News Bible
"Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather be afraid of God, who can destroy both body and soul in hell." (GNB, p.15) [4]
The New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures
"And do not become fearful of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; but rather be in fear of him that can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna." (NWT, p.1228) [5]
The African Bible
"Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of him who is capable of destroying both soul and body in Gehenna." (TAB, p.50) [16]
The Scriptures
"And do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the being. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both being and body in Gehenna." (TS, p.927) [6]
Commentary
Tertullian (160-225 AD)
"HERE WE HAVE A RECOGNITION OF THE NATURAL IMMORTALITY OF THE SOUL, which cannot be killed by men; and of the mortality of the body which may be killed: whence we learn that the resurrection of the dead is a resurrection of the flesh; for, unless it were raised again, it would be impossible for the flesh to be 'killed in hell'." [7|9]
It has been suggested, that; "Tertullian, MIGHT HERE HAVE REFERRED TO THE LIFE WE NOW LIVE IN THE FLESH". That when he spoke of "the natural immortality of the soul", he was in effect suggesting; that "the soul like the body is immortal in this life, since it cannot be kill here and now". However, please note, TERTULLIAN WAS COMMENTING ON MT. 10v28; WHICH IN ITSELF, SPEAKS OF THE AFTERLIFE - I.E., "HELL". Likewise, IN HIS OWN COMMENTARY, TERTULLIAN REFERS TO THE SAME. There is no doubt, therefore; that Tertullian held to "the natural immortality of the soul" both here-and-now, as well as, in the life to come. And, thereby, played a leading role in The History and Development of Universal Immortality [18] Tertullian, correctly, expected "a resurrection of the flesh", without which, "it would be impossible for the flesh to be killed in hell". What Tertullian seems, however, to have missed, is that; according to our text; "both soul and body" would (or at least "could") be "destroyed in hell".
Matthew Henry (1662-1714)
No comment. [14]
John Wesley (1703-1791)
"'And be not afraid' - of any thing which ye may suffer for proclaiming it. 'Be afraid of him who is able to destroy both body and soul in hell' - it is remarkable, that our Lord commands those who love God, still to fear him, even on this account, under this notion. 29, 30. The particular providence of God is another reason for your not fearing man. For this extends to the very smallest things. And if he has such care over the most inconsiderable creatures, how much more will he take care of you, (provided you confess him before men, before powerful enemies of the truth) and that not only in this life, but in the other also?" [12]
Adam Clarke (1760/62-1832)
"Fear not them which kill the body. [twn apokteinontwn] Those who slay with acts of cruelty, alluding probably to the cruelties which prosecutors should exercise on His followers in their martyrdom. But are not able to kill the soul. Hence we find that the body and the soul are distinct principles, for the body may be slain and the soul escape; and, secondly, that the soul is immaterial, for the murderers of the body are not able, [mh dunamenwn], have it not in their power, to injure it. Fear Him. It is, not hell-fire we are to fear, but it is God; without the stroke of whose justice hell itself would be no punishment, and whose frown would render heaven itself insupportable. What strange blindness is it to expose our souls to endless ruin, which should enjoy God eternally; and to save and pamper the body, by which we enjoy nothing but the creatures, and them only for a moment!" [8]
Dr. Albert Barnes (1798-1870)
"'Them which kill the body.' That is, men, who have no power to injure the soul, the immortal part. The body is a small matter, in comparison with the soul. Temporal death is a slight thing, compared with eternal death, he directs them, therefore, not to be alarmed at the prospect of temporal death; but to fear God, who can destroy both body and soul for ever. This passages proves that the bodies of the wicked will be raised up to be punished for ever." [17]
Prof. Dr. Thomas L. Constable of Dallas Theological Seminary
"It also helps to conquer fear if the disciple will remember that the worst a human adversary can do does not compare with the worst God can do. Jesus was not implying that true believers might go to hell if they do not remain faithful to God. His point was that God has power over the disciple after he dies whereas human adversaries can do nothing beyond killing the disciple's body. The believer needs to remember that he or she will stand before God one day to give an account of his or her stewardship." [10]
Dr. Bob Utley of East Texas Baptist University
"'... do not fear them' This is a NEGATIVE AORIST PASSIVE (deponent) SUBJUNCTIVE like v.19 functioning as an AORIST ACTIVE IMPERATIVE like vv.28 and 31. This construction meant 'do not even start an action'." [11]
John A. Marsh
"Each person's body will die. People can die from natural, supernatural, accidental, or murderous causes. We know that there is more to life than what we have and experience now. Christians look forward to that Day when all sin will be taken away from us and we will be physically and spiritually complete before God. Those who rebel against God to their death will not only suffer physical death, but spiritual death as well. On Judgement Day, they will see God face to face, but will then be forever separated from Him when they are cast into hell. As Christians, we need to have reverance for God, since He is the judge over these matters." [13]
Notes
Conspicuous in its absence; neither Wesley, or Clarke, nor Marsh; offers any suggestion as to the latter part of our text, reading "Who can destroy both body and soul in hell".
Barnes, on the other hand, does - though contradicting himself. First he claims, like Tertullian before him, the immortality of the soul; but soon after speaks of "God, who can destroy both body and soul for ever" [17]. How can that which is immortal be destroyed? Wouldn't that make it mortal?
Synopsis
"... fear not them which kill the body ..."
We are told not to fear anyone that can kill the body; since, they can not kill the soul. This must have been a great comfort to those who were persecuted during the dark ages by the Roman Catholic Church, which claimed authority over both (body and soul).
"... are not able to kill the soul ..." "... they cannot harm your soul ..." "... cannot kill the soul ..." "... unable to kill the being ..."
It is 'them'; those that ruthlessly persecute God's People; and not God; that are unable to kill the soul.
Man's inability to do something, neither determine that it cannot be done; nor, in particular; that God cannot do the same. It simply concludes that man, in and of himself, are not able.
In other words, if one should be proven incompetent to drive a vehicle; it doesn't make any vehicle undriveable. Likewise, if someone is said to be incapable of destroying the soul; it doesn't make the soul indestructible.
If, like Catholicism suggests, man's inability to destroy the soul (Mt. 28v10a), confirms 'the immortality of the soul'. Then, we, likewise, have to conclude, that God's ability to destroy the soul (Mt. 28v10b), should confirm 'the mortality of the soul'.
Contrary, therefore, to the assertions of; Tertullian [9], Pope Julius II, and the Fifth Lateran Council [1]; our text does not teach the natural immortality of the soul. In fact, it is Matthew chapter 10 verse 28 itself that undermines the very thought. Not only does it confirm man's inability in destroying the soul; but, it also confirms God's ability in the same.
"... rather fear Him ..."
"... able to destroy both soul and body ..."
It is clear, that, while no human can kill our souls; God Himself are able, not only to destroy our bodies; but also, our very souls. For, "the soul that sinneth, it shall die" (Ez. 18v4)
Tertullian, Pope Julius II, and the Fifth Lateran Council, therefore; fails miserably in their attempt at establishing from Matthew chapter 10 verse 28, any "affirmation" [1] or "recognition" [7|9] of the natural immortality of the soul.
Scripture References
Ez. 18v4, 33v11; Is. 8v11-12, 51v7, v12; Lk. 23v40; Jn. 12v25; 1 Cor. 6v13; 1 Tim. 6v16; Js. 5v20; 1 Pt. 3v14
Bibliography
1 Lateran Council; Answers.com. (25/03/2008) http://www.answers.com/topic/first-council-of-the-lateran
2 Holy Bible; Authorized King James Version; Red-Letter Edition (Nashville, TN: World Publishing). Copyright (c) 2004 by World Publishing. http://www.worldpublishing.com/
3 Holy Bible; Contemporary English Version (Roggebaai, WP: Bible Society of South Africa, P.O. Box 6215, Cape Town, 8012; 1996)
4 Holy Bible; Good News Bible: Today's English Version.
5 New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (Brooklyn, NY: Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc., 1961 [1981, 1984])
6 The Scriptures (Northriding, SA: Institute for Scripture Research (Pty) Ltd, P.O. Box 1830, 2162) http://www.messianic.co.za/
7 James Burton Coffman; "Mt.10:28": Commentary on the New Testament. (25/03/2008) http://southernhills.searchgodsword.org/com/bcc/view.cgi?book=mt&chapter=010
8 Adam Clarke; "Mt. 10:28": Commentary on the Bible. (25/03/2008) http://www.godrules.net/library/clarke/clarke.htm
9 Tertullian; On the Resurrection in Ibid., Volume III; p.570
10 Prof. Dr. Thomas L. Constable; Dr. Constable's Notes on Matthew (2008 Edition); Dallas Theological Seminary. (26/03/2008) http://www.soniclight.com/constable/notes/pdf/matthew.pdf
11 Dr. Bob Utley; Free Bible Commentary; East Texas Baptist University; 27 June 1996. (26/03/2008) http://www.freebiblecommentary.org/pdf/VOL01.pdf
12 John Wesley; Explanatory Notes. (27/03/2008) http://www.christnotes.org/commentary.php?com=wes&b=40&c=10
13 John A. Marsh; Marsh Bible Commentary; USA. (27/03/2008) http://www.marshcommentary.com/commentary/mat010.php
14 Matthew Henry; Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible; StudyLight. (27/03/2008) http://www.studylight.org/com/mhc-com/view.cgi?book=mt&chapter=010
15 Prof. Fika J. van Rensburg, Prof. Jan A. Du Rand, en Prof. Isak J. du Plessis; Die Bybel In Praktyk {Life Application Bible}: Afrikaans Nuwe Vertaling; CUM Boeke. ISBN 1-86829-139-1.
16 Angelo Colacrai, Aelred Lacomara and Cecil McGarry; The African Bible [The New Testament Family Edition] (Nairobi, Kenya: Paulines Publications, P.O. Box 49026, 1995). ISBN 9966-21-130-6
17 Dr. Albert Barnes; Notes on the New Testament; StudyLight. (27/03/2008) http://www.studylight.org/com/bnn/view.cgi?book=mt&chapter=010
18 EJ Hill; The History and Development of Universal Immortality.
