Mat 12:36, 18:23 | Clarke | e4.org | Verse 36. Every idle word ] ρημααργον, a word that does nothing , that neither ministers grace nor instruction to them who hear it. The word αργον corresponds to the Hebrew shave , which signifies not only vain or empty , but also wicked and injurious , such as a false testimony against a neighbour , compare . Add to this, that Symmachus translates piggul, polluted , , by the very Greek word in the text. It was to explain this ambiguous meaning of the word, that ten MSS. have changed αργον Into πονηρον, evil . Our Lord must be understood here as condemning all false and injurious words: the scope of the place necessarily requires this meaning.

‏ Matthew 12:36

Verse 36. Every idle word] ρημααργον, a word that does nothing, that neither ministers grace nor instruction to them who hear it. The word αργον corresponds to the Hebrew shave, which signifies not only vain or empty, but also wicked and injurious, such as a false testimony against a neighbour, compare De 5:11, 20. Add to this, that Symmachus translates piggul, polluted, Le 19:7, by the very Greek word in the text. It was to explain this ambiguous meaning of the word, that ten MSS. have changed αργον Into πονηρον, evil. Our Lord must be understood here as condemning all false and injurious words: the scope of the place necessarily requires this meaning.

‏ Matthew 18:23

Verse 23. Therefore is the kingdom] In respect to sin, cruelty, and oppression, God will proceed in the kingdom of heaven (the dispensation of the Gospel) as he did in former times; and every person shall give an account of himself to God. Every sin is a debt contracted with the justice of God; men are all God's own servants; and the day is at hand in which their Master will settle accounts with them, inquire into their work, and pay them their wages. Great Judge! what an awful time must this be, when with multitudes nothing shall be found but sin and insolvency!

By servant, in the text, we are to understand, a petty king, or tributary prince; for no hired servant could possibly owe such a sum as is here mentioned.