Matthew 5:26

Sunday, 1 December 2024

Assuredly, I say to you, you will by no means get out of there till you have paid the last penny. Matthew 5:26

“Amen! I say to you, no, not you shall come out thence until if you should pay the last kodranten” (CG).

In the previous verse, Jesus spoke to the disciples about agreeing quickly with one’s adversary lest an appeal be made and they be cast into prison. With that stated, He next continues with, “Amen!”

It is a verbal way of saying something is firm and trustworthy. Thus, it is often translated as true, assuredly, etc. With this stated, He next continues with the rest of the thought, “I say to you, no, not you shall come out thence.”

Once someone is cast into prison, the decision has been rendered. If there is any appeal process, that will take place, but eventually, the final matter is settled. Once it is, prison becomes the person’s set lot. This is the prerogative of any society. Society sets the boundaries and the people must live within the confines of whatever judgments are rendered.

In the case of Israel at the time under Roman rule, the only thing that would change the situation is next stated by Jesus. It is something all would be familiar with, which is, “until if you should pay the last kodranten.”

What is obvious but unstated is that a monetary penalty was set. There could be no release for a person until it was paid in full. This meant even to the last kodranten. It is a Latin word, kodrantés, derived from quadrans, meaning a quarter. It is the smallest Roman coin. It was made of copper and the value was a quarter of the Roman monetary unit known as an as. Today, it would be equivalent to a penny.

Jesus is making a point about the strictness of the law. Its demands are to be met. To fall short in it, including the intent of the heart or an offense against a brother, meant that punishment without mercy was to be expected. The standard is set, and only perfection is acceptable.

Life application: What does the New Testament say about salvation? What is the process and “timeline” given? The answer is that one believes the gospel (the process) and that person is saved by God’s grace and through the faith that took place (the “timeline”).

This is the opposite of the law where offenses took place and then restitution under the law was made. For example, when a person sinned in one way or another, he would acknowledge his sin and go to the temple with an offering, which would then be sacrificed for the atonement of his sin.

Like those of Israel, for those who come to Christ, there is already the stain of original sin, but there is not the imputation of sin from the Law of Moses. As Paul says –

“Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned— 13 (For until the law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law.” Romans 5:12, 13

There is the imputation of Adam’s sin (original sin) to all people. However, the law of Moses was only given to Israel. When a violation of the Mosaic code took place, sin was imputed. However, one not under the law is not imputed sin for a precept of the law.

For example, a person under the law was commanded to wear tassels on the corners of his garments (Numbers 15:38, 39 & Deuteronomy 22:12). To not do so was a violation of the law. However, a person not under the law could not be imputed sin for not wearing a tassel because the law does not apply to him.

So, whether under the law or not, a state of condemnation exists. In coming to Christ, that state is removed and life is granted. But this is before any action apart from faith in Christ is taken. In other words, as Paul says (as was noted in the previous commentary) –

“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.” 

This state of “no condemnation” came about without making restitution to an offended brother (as in the example of Matthew 5:23-26). It also comes apart from any remedial action under the law. Why is this? It is because Jesus has fulfilled the law. He embodies the law.

In His death on the cross, the law died with Him (see Colossians 2:11-15). In this act, the law (meaning whatever law stands against us, such as the law given to Adam or the law of Moses) that stood contrary to humanity can no longer be brought against us.

In understanding the process and the “timeline” of salvation, the fear of condemnation should be removed. This is why two particular doctrines are so damning. The first is reinserting the Law of Moses into one’s life. That is no different than asking God to reinsert the imputation of original sin from Adam –

“O God, I know that Jesus was born without sin and that in His death, He removed the stain of original sin from me. But I want it back. I want to earn my way out of it.”

In like manner, someone who turns (or returns) to the Law of Moses essentially says, “O God, I know that Jesus fulfilled the law and that its penalties can never be brought against me, but I want to be back under the law. I want to prove that I can do it all by myself.”

The utterly ridiculous nature of that is hard to imagine, and yet this is exactly what people do all the time.

The second doctrine that is so damning is when people claim that one can lose his salvation. How can one go from being “in Christ” to being not “in Christ.” There is nothing in Scripture to say how that can happen, nor is there anything in Scripture that says how such a state could be corrected again. But Paul says –

“Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:37-39

Glorious God, how can we set aside the grace that has been lavished upon us and turn back to weak and miserable principals that have stood against us and only brought us condemnation? Rather, we will stand upon the Rock, our Lord Jesus Christ, trusting in His righteousness alone to carry us back to You. Thank You for the eternal assurance we possess because of His work on our behalf. Amen.