City on a Hill, James Christensen

From Character to From Character to ConductConduct

v 13: Saltv 13: Salt

You (emphatic) you are the salt of the You (emphatic) you are the salt of the earthearth

But then (now—But then (now—dede advances—next point, advances—next point, deeper into the argument) if the salt deeper into the argument) if the salt should become foolish = insipid (3s aor should become foolish = insipid (3s aor pass subj pass subj mwrainwmwrainw), by what ), by what meansmeans will will it be made salty [or will it be salted](3s it be made salty [or will it be salted](3s fut pass ind fut pass ind alizwalizw)? )?

For the goal of (For the goal of (ei~ei~) nothing is it capable ) nothing is it capable (3s pres act ind, (3s pres act ind, iscuwiscuw) anymore except ) anymore except ((ei mhei mh) being thrown out (aor pass ) being thrown out (aor pass participle, neut accus sg, participle, neut accus sg, ballwballw) for the ) for the purpose of being trampled underfpurpose of being trampled underfootoot by by men.men.

Salt and SaltinessSalt and Saltiness

1.1. Salt can mean either Salt can mean either flavoring flavoring or or preservation preservation of food.of food.

2.2. In either case it is added to food to In either case it is added to food to improve it, but preservation is improve it, but preservation is more critical than flavoring.more critical than flavoring.

3.3. Two key issues in the analogy:Two key issues in the analogy:– Distinction: salt is Distinction: salt is differentdifferent from food from food

but is added to itbut is added to it– Function: salt has a Function: salt has a purposepurpose and is and is

useless if it is not fulfilling it.useless if it is not fulfilling it.

4. In context Jesus is addressing Israel 4. In context Jesus is addressing Israel as God’s representative nation.as God’s representative nation.

5.5.Yet the application holds for us: a Yet the application holds for us: a people set apart to God being marked people set apart to God being marked out for rulership in the Kingdom. out for rulership in the Kingdom.

6.6.As we grow towards the character of As we grow towards the character of Christ in learning His Word, we are Christ in learning His Word, we are salt.salt.

7.7.Yet salt has a purpose—to halt decay Yet salt has a purpose—to halt decay and/or improve flavor through contact and/or improve flavor through contact with food.with food.

v14-16: Light from a City, a v14-16: Light from a City, a Lamp, and YouLamp, and You

You (emphatic) you are the light You (emphatic) you are the light of the Kosmos. It is not able (3s of the Kosmos. It is not able (3s pres pass ind, pres pass ind, dunamaidunamai), a city, ), a city, to be hidden (aor pass infin, to be hidden (aor pass infin, kruptwkruptw), high on a hill being set ), high on a hill being set (pres mid ptciple fem nom, (pres mid ptciple fem nom, keimakeimai—ref to city/i—ref to city/poli~poli~),),

v15: Light from a Lampv15: Light from a Lamp

Furthermore not (Furthermore not (oude oude advances advances point negatively) do they light point negatively) do they light (3pl pres act ind, (3pl pres act ind, kaiwkaiw) a lamp ) a lamp ((lucno~lucno~) and they place it (3pl ) and they place it (3pl pres act ind, pres act ind, tiqhmitiqhmi) under the ) under the measuring bowl but (measuring bowl but (allaalla) upon ) upon the lampstand (the lampstand (lucnialucnia) and it ) and it lights (llights (lampwampw, 3s pres act ind) all , 3s pres act ind) all those in the house. those in the house.

v16: Your Lightv16: Your Light

In this manner shine (3s aor act In this manner shine (3s aor act imper, imper, lampwlampw) your light () your light (fw~fw~) ) before men, in order that they before men, in order that they may see (3pl aor act subj, may see (3pl aor act subj, eidoneidon//oJrawoJraw) your good works ) your good works and in order that they may and in order that they may glorify (3 pl aor act subj glorify (3 pl aor act subj doxazwdoxazw) ) your Father in Heaven.your Father in Heaven.

The Value of a good The Value of a good LightLight

1.1. Just as salt benefits food to improve it Just as salt benefits food to improve it by halting decay or solving blandness, by halting decay or solving blandness, so light benefits so light benefits other peopleother people by by removing darkness.removing darkness.

2.2. A light is critical to safety and security A light is critical to safety and security at night, whether in the form of a at night, whether in the form of a watch fire at the city gate or a lamp to watch fire at the city gate or a lamp to keep you from tripping in the dark.keep you from tripping in the dark.

3.3. The city is a collection of lights visible The city is a collection of lights visible from a distance in the dark. from a distance in the dark.

4.4. The lamp is an individual light.The lamp is an individual light.5.5. Both benefit others and not Both benefit others and not

themselves!themselves!

Utility of the Salt and Utility of the Salt and LightLight

1.1. Being set apart to God does not mean Being set apart to God does not mean disconnected from the Kosmos.disconnected from the Kosmos.

2.2. In fact, sanctification has the purpose In fact, sanctification has the purpose of further communicating God to the of further communicating God to the world.world.

3.3. This communication preserves against This communication preserves against the decay of sin in the community and the decay of sin in the community and points the way to deliverance.points the way to deliverance.

4.4. Just as peacemakers are those who Just as peacemakers are those who present the message of Peace with God present the message of Peace with God through Christ, so salt and light are His through Christ, so salt and light are His tools to make peace.tools to make peace.

v16: Your Lightv16: Your Light

In this manner shine your light In this manner shine your light before men, before men,

in order that they may see your in order that they may see your good works good works

and and

in order that they may glorify your in order that they may glorify your Father in Heaven.Father in Heaven.

Good WORKS?!Good WORKS?!

• Kalo~ Kalo~ vs. vs. agaqo~agaqo~– Kalo~ Kalo~ is glossed “beautiful” and can mean in is glossed “beautiful” and can mean in

form or function.form or function.

– Agaqo~Agaqo~ is glossed “good” and describes is glossed “good” and describes something (the same thing as something (the same thing as kalo~kalo~) in terms ) in terms of its value.of its value.

““Good (looking) Works”Good (looking) Works”

• Kalo~Kalo~ and and Agaqo~Agaqo~ are used are used interchangeably to describe the interchangeably to describe the same thing in Mt 7:17-18, Lk 8:15, same thing in Mt 7:17-18, Lk 8:15, Rom 7:18, and esp. 1 Tim 5:10—both Rom 7:18, and esp. 1 Tim 5:10—both describe “works”describe “works”

• ““Beautiful works” in the NT:Beautiful works” in the NT:– Mt 26:10, Mk 14:16 (cf. Lk 7:37)Mt 26:10, Mk 14:16 (cf. Lk 7:37)– Jn 10:32-33Jn 10:32-33– 1 Tim 3:1; 5:10, 24-25; 6:171 Tim 3:1; 5:10, 24-25; 6:17– Titus 2:7, 14; 3:8, 14,Titus 2:7, 14; 3:8, 14,– Heb 10:24Heb 10:24– 1 Pet 2:121 Pet 2:12

Observations on Protocol Observations on Protocol for Workfor Work

1.1. MeansMeans is everything. is everything. – The energy of the flesh produces trash.The energy of the flesh produces trash.– The Enabling power of the Spirit produces The Enabling power of the Spirit produces

that which pleases God.that which pleases God.

2.2. MotivationMotivation, part of means, is clearly , part of means, is clearly defined by Jesus Christ as “that men defined by Jesus Christ as “that men may glorify God.”may glorify God.”

3.3. Therefore works for self-promotion are Therefore works for self-promotion are OUT.OUT.

4.4. MannerManner is important as well: in a is important as well: in a manner that is VISIBLE, like light.manner that is VISIBLE, like light.