Metaphysical Bible Interpretation of Matthew Chapter 7
Metaphysically Interpreting Matthew 7:1-5
7:1Judge not, that ye be not judged.7:2For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured unto you. 7:3And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? 7:4Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me cast out the mote out of thine eye; and lo, the beam is in thine own eye? 7:5Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.
Metaphysically Interpreting Matthew 7:6
7:6Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast your pearls before the swine, lest haply they trample them under their feet, and turn and rend you.
Metaphysically Interpreting Matthew 7:7-11
7:7Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 7:8for every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. 7:9Or what man is there of you, who, if his son shall ask him for a loaf, will give him a stone; 7:10or if he shall ask for a fish, will give him a serpent? 7:11If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father who is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?
Metaphysically Interpreting Matthew 7:12
7:12All things therefore whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, even so do ye also unto them: for this is the law and the prophets.
Undated: Matt. 7:1-12
BIBLE LESSON
Unity's Interpretation of the International Sunday School Lesson
Cause and Effect Interpreted
Why are we admonished not to judge others? Judging others is a habit of the personal man. Aside from the fact that the habit often works injustice to the one who is judged, it reacts also on the one who judges by starting a vicious circle that brings back to him what he has sent out.
How do we “cast out … The beam” that is in our “own eye”? By removing whatever obstructs our understanding of Truth. Prejudice, ignorance, preconceived opinions, doubt, worry, and materiality are some of these obstructions. Interpret the reference to casting pearls before swine. We should always keep our sense of the fitness of things and refrain from displaying our understanding of Truth to those who are opposed to it or who are temperamentally indifferent to it and therefore unable to understand it.
What does the command “ask … seek … knock” with its corollary “every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened” signify? The command and its corollary show us that there is an inexhaustible supply in the invisible realm, which awaits our call upon it, and that its manifestation is dependent only on our understanding of what we are to do to bring it into manifestation.
What is the divine law of receiving? “Every one that asketh receiveth.” Asking is desiring, and desire unfailingly draws to one what one persists in desiring. Under this law there is no such thing as failure.
When we ask for one thing and receive something else, how is the discrepancy explained? Unless what we ask for is truly the desire of our heart and our asking is backed up by faith, we “ask amiss” and receive accordingly. The outcome of our prayer is an index to our true desire.
Do cause and effect underlie the Golden Rule also? They do insofar as men, in their dealings with us, naturally take their cue from our conduct toward them. Therefore we should act toward them as we would have them act toward us.
I realize the influence of thought over life, and I hold to my purpose to make the perfect law manifest.
Unless otherwise specified, the Bible text used in this lesson is taken From the American Standard Version of the Bible, copyright, 1929, by the International Council of Religious Education, and is used by permission.
Table Prayer
By Grace O. Weber
Our Father, we thank Thee that out of Thine omnipresent substance all our needs are more than filled. We thank Thee, Father, for this food, Thy gift of love. We now dedicate it to the glory of Christ in our bodies and our whole selves to Thy life and service.
Metaphysically Interpreting Matthew 7:13-14
7:13Enter ye in by the narrow gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many are they that enter in thereby. 7:14For narrow is the gate, and straitened the way, that leadeth unto life, and few are they that find it.
Undated: Matt. 7:13-14; Luke 15:11-24
WEEKLY UNITY
BIBLE LESSON
Unity's Interpretation of the International Sunday School Lesson
Changing the Mind
What is the narrow gate, metaphysically considered? The habit of thinking and speaking daily what is in harmony with Truth and of denying error at all times is the strait or narrow gate. The broad gate is the habit of accepting both good and evil as real.
What is the first point emphasized by the parable of the prodigal son? The necessity of changing the mind from the basis of sense to that of Spirit, he who is satisfied to be identified in every way with the race thought must discern the better way, break away from the old, and develop the Christ Mind in himself instead.
What do the two sons of the parable represent? They represent two states of consciousness. The elder son represents the religious or moral nature, which on the mortal plane may be prone to self-righteousness and criticism. The lower nature is represented by the younger son.
What is represented by the journey into a “far country”? The separation of man, in consciousness, from his source, Divine Mind. Such a separation takes place when man exercises any function of his being without considering the relation it bears to Divine Mind.
Why is it stated that a famine began as soon as the prodigal had spent all that he had? Because an exhaustion of material resources and a surfeit of sense pleasures leave the one whose life is devoted to such low standards nothing apparently with which to satisfy his true needs. Lacking all himself, he sees lack in his surroundings.
What truth is brought out in the statement that the younger son “joined himself to one of the citizens of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine”? The truth that the one who gives himself over to the pleasures of sense makes himself a slave to sense. The prodigal became a hired servant and fed swine but was unable to satisfy his hunger.
Name one of the “hired servants” in the Father's house that has “bread enough and to spare.” The mental state. That embraces Truth merely for the material advantages to be gained through following it, and not for Truth's sake or to win understanding of life, is such a hired servant
What saves man from the consequences of mistaken beliefs and unworthy living? Patient correcting of his habits of thinking to conform to Truth and perseverance in following what is good, these correct error and dissipate its consequences in man's life.
What is meant by the words of the father, “This my son was dead, and is alive again”? He who is a slave to the senses is dead to all considerations of the spiritual truths of life. He cannot express his better nature because it is lost under the thick blanket of sense that envelops his thoughts.
Does the father in this parable truly represent the nature of Divine Mind? The father represents the love of Divine Mind. The story of the prodigal is primarily the story of the Father-Mind, which is infinite in compassion.
Can patience, love, goodness, and understanding be exhausted? In Divine Mind these qualities are infinite and inexhaustible.
What relationship subsists between repentance and joy? Joy is the inevitable result of repentance. The joy of divine love is illustrated in this lesson by the father's restoration of the repentant son to his full status of a loved and honored son in the household, served by others and allowed to drop his mistakes from mind.
I have faith in the love and power of God to hold me steadfast to my purpose.
Metaphysically Interpreting Matthew 7:15-20
7:15Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves. 7:16By their fruits ye shall know them. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 7:17Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but the corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 7:18A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 7:19Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 7:20Therefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
Metaphysically Interpreting Matthew 7:21-23
7:21Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven. 7:22Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy by thy name, and by thy name cast out demons, and by thy name do many mighty works? 7:23And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Undated: Matt. 7:15-23; Luke 13:69
WEEKLY UNITY
BIBLE LESSON
Unity's Interpretation of the International Sunday School Lesson
Obedience
What is obedience? Obedience is action based upon law.
How may we know that we are obedient unto divine law? We may know that we are obedient unto divine law by our feeling of oneness with God; by the trend of our thought Godward; by our willingness that God's will be done in us; by the soul's unfoldment; and by the body's showing forth the strength and purity of spiritual life and substance.
Define the term “false prophets.” “False prophets” are the deceptive thoughts that have been built up by erroneous desires. Outwardly they seem harmless; they present the appearance of being candid and open. Inwardly they are ravenously athirst for personal sensation and worldly gain.
How may one “prophesy” in the name of the Lord, yet “work iniquity? One may discern that which is to be the result or outcome of error thoughts and acts and may call attention to it (prophesy) in the name of the Lord (law). But to proclaim error by means of prophecy, declaring that error must come to pass, is to work iniquity.
What spiritual faculties must be used in determining whether prophecy is false or true? The spiritual faculties of discernment and judgment.
What is symbolized by the good tree and the corrupt tree? The fulfillment or fruition of ideas. A good tree (an idea rooted in Truth) brings forth good fruit (love, joy, peace, plenty, and success). A corrupt tree (an adverse thought or one that is not rooted in Truth) brings forth corrupt fruit (hatred, disappointment, lack, and bitterness).
Is it necessary for us to wait for the fruit of an evil tree (thought) before cutting down the tree? No. Through spiritual discernment we can perceive whether the thought at work in consciousness is good or evil, and can cease to work iniquity by denying and changing the thought (“hewn down, and cast into the fire”).
How may a person do “many mighty works” and yet fail to “enter into the kingdom of heaven”? A person may have understanding of the law of thought, and through faith in the spoken word of Truth teach and heal in the name of the Lord, yet fail to do the will of the Father in his own life. To “enter into the kingdom of heaven” is to be possessed of spiritual consciousness and to measure one's every thought and act and all the manifestations of one's life by the perfect standard of the Christ of God. It is to those who do the will of the Father and practice obedience in the highest sense of the word that the kingdom of heaven is promised.
What is symbolized by the barren fig tree? Thought activity that is not based on Truth and that is therefore unfruitful.
Who is the vinedresser? The Christ, whose mission is to save and redeem even those whom men deem unworthy. No matter how unproductive our life has been, the Father is infinitely patient with us, and through the Christ Mind in us gives us a new and enriched opportunity to fulfill our divine purpose.
By abiding in the Christ Mind, I bring forth unfailingly the fruits of the Christ life.
Unless otherwise specified, the Bible text used in this lesson is taken from the American Standard Version of the Bible, copyright, 1929, by the International Council of Religious Education, and is used by permission.
Metaphysically Interpreting Matthew 7:24-29
7:24Every one therefore that heareth these words of mine, and doeth them, shall be likened unto a wise man, who built his house upon the rock: 7:25and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and if fell not: for it was founded upon the rock. 7:26And every one that heareth these words of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand: 7:27and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and smote upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall thereof.
7:28And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished these words, the multitudes were astonished at his teaching:7:29for he taught them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.
Undated: Matt. 7:24-29; 21:28-32
BIBLE LESSON
Unity's Interpretation of the International Sunday School Lesson
The Recognition and Application of Truth
What do the two houses, one built upon the rock and one upon the sand, symbolize? The house built upon a rock symbolizes the life that is founded upon principle, which nothing can shake or remove from its solid basis of right and truth. The house built upon the sand symbolizes the superficial life that is without a sound spiritual foundation.
What is our chief need in meeting the problems of today or of any day or age? Teachableness and an unerring guide to the solution of our problems. “We must have a teachable spirit, and we find the unerring guide in the Christ, who teaches us and illumines our thoughts (multitudes) with wisdom and understanding from on high. Our responsibility is to learn the truth concerning what needs to be done, and to follow up our knowledge by doing our part in accordance with the direction and instruction that we receive through the Christ.
What does the vineyard represent? The religious nature of man.
What do the two sons represent? The first son represents willing obedience, the second, willfulness and deception.
How do we acknowledge the authority of God as supreme? By word or act or both. Unless words and acts are harmonized, action is the most complete acknowledgment.
Where our words are not in harmony with our acts, what state of consciousness is revealed in us? We are shown to be in a state of weakened faith with our will functioning improperly. If we are to reveal ourselves as sons of God we need the courage of our convictions and the will to do what we say we intend to do.
What helps us to make our acceptance of divine authority unqualified? The realization on our part that only the good is true and that evil is not real, and that God is our Father, omnipotent, ornnipresent, omniscient.
Is it important for us to use our understanding of Truth even though we may feel that it is small and weak? Yes. Our understanding of Truth and our ability to use Truth in every department of our life increase as we diligently and faithfully use the Truth that we know.
Seek in all things to express the Father's teaching.
Transcribed by Lloyd Kinder on 10-21-2013
