City on a Hill, James Christensen From Character to Conduct

v 13: Salt You (emphatic) you are the salt of the earth But then (now—de advances—next point, deeper into the argument) if the salt should become foolish = insipid (3s aor pass subj mwrainw), by what means will it be made salty [or will it be salted](3s fut pass ind alizw)? For the goal of (ei~) nothing is it capable (3s pres act ind, iscuw) anymore except (ei mh) being thrown out (aor pass participle, neut accus sg, ballw) for the purpose of being trampled underfoot by men.

Salt and Saltiness 1.Salt can mean either flavoring or preservation of food. 2.In either case it is added to food to improve it, but preservation is more critical than flavoring. 3.Two key issues in the analogy: –Distinction: salt is different from food but is added to it –Function: salt has a purpose and is useless if it is not fulfilling it.

4. In context Jesus is addressing Israel as God’s representative nation. 5.Yet the application holds for us: a people set apart to God being marked out for rulership in the Kingdom. 6.As we grow towards the character of Christ in learning His Word, we are salt. 7.Yet salt has a purpose—to halt decay and/or improve flavor through contact with food.

v14-16: Light from a City, a Lamp, and You You (emphatic) you are the light of the Kosmos. It is not able (3s pres pass ind, dunamai), a city, to be hidden (aor pass infin, kruptw), high on a hill being set (pres mid ptciple fem nom, keimai— ref to city/poli~),

v15: Light from a Lamp Furthermore not (oude advances point negatively) do they light (3pl pres act ind, kaiw) a lamp (lucno~) and they place it (3pl pres act ind, tiqhmi) under the measuring bowl but (alla) upon the lampstand (lucnia) and it lights (lampw, 3s pres act ind) all those in the house.

v16: Your Light In this manner shine (3s aor act imper, lampw) your light (fw~) before men, in order that they may see (3pl aor act subj, eidon/oJraw) your good works and in order that they may glorify (3 pl aor act subj doxazw) your Father in Heaven.

The Value of a good Light 1.Just as salt benefits food to improve it by halting decay or solving blandness, so light benefits other people by removing darkness. 2.A light is critical to safety and security at night, whether in the form of a watch fire at the city gate or a lamp to keep you from tripping in the dark. 3.The city is a collection of lights visible from a distance in the dark. 4.The lamp is an individual light. 5.Both benefit others and not themselves!

Utility of the Salt and Light 1.Being set apart to God does not mean disconnected from the Kosmos. 2.In fact, sanctification has the purpose of further communicating God to the world. 3.This communication preserves against the decay of sin in the community and points the way to deliverance. 4.Just as peacemakers are those who present the message of Peace with God through Christ, so salt and light are His tools to make peace.

v16: Your Light In this manner shine your light before men, in order that they may see your good works and in order that they may glorify your Father in Heaven.

Good WORKS?! Kalo~ vs. agaqo~Kalo~ vs. agaqo~ –Kalo~ is glossed “beautiful” and can mean in form or function. –Agaqo~ is glossed “good” and describes something (the same thing as kalo~ ) in terms of its value.

“Good (looking) Works” Kalo~ and Agaqo~ are used interchangeably to describe the same thing in Mt 7:17-18, Lk 8:15, Rom 7:18, and esp. 1 Tim 5:10—both describe “works”Kalo~ and Agaqo~ are used interchangeably to describe the same thing in Mt 7:17-18, Lk 8:15, Rom 7:18, and esp. 1 Tim 5:10—both describe “works” “Beautiful works” in the NT:“Beautiful works” in the NT: –Mt 26:10, Mk 14:16 (cf. Lk 7:37) –Jn 10:32-33 –1 Tim 3:1; 5:10, 24-25; 6:17 –Titus 2:7, 14; 3:8, 14, –Heb 10:24 –1 Pet 2:12

Observations on Protocol for Work 1.Means is everything. –The energy of the flesh produces trash. –The Enabling power of the Spirit produces that which pleases God. 2.Motivation, part of means, is clearly defined by Jesus Christ as “that men may glorify God.” 3.Therefore works for self-promotion are OUT. 4.Manner is important as well: in a manner that is VISIBLE, like light.