The Sermon on the Mount

Matthew 5 - 7

Chapter 5

Therefore, be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.

What does this mean?

Context and Interpretation

1. Context in the Sermon on the Mount:
   • The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) is a comprehensive teaching of Jesus that outlines the principles of the Kingdom of God. It emphasizes inner righteousness, purity of heart, and the attitudes and behaviors expected of His followers.
2. Immediate Context:
   • This verse concludes the teachings in Matthew 5, where Jesus contrasts the traditional interpretations of the Law with His deeper, more demanding moral standards. In the preceding verses (Matthew 5:43-47), Jesus teaches about loving enemies and extending grace beyond the usual expectations.

Explanation of the Passage

1. "Therefore, be perfect...":
   • The word "perfect" (Greek: teleios) in this context means complete, whole, or mature, rather than flawless or without sin. Jesus is calling His followers to strive for completeness in their love and righteousness, reflecting God's character in every aspect of their lives.
2. "...just as your heavenly Father is perfect.":
   • God is the ultimate standard of love, holiness, and righteousness. Jesus is urging His followers to emulate God's perfect love and moral integrity. This means striving to reflect God's character in how they treat others, especially in showing love and mercy.

Biblical Principles

1. Imitation of God:
   • Believers are called to imitate God's character. This involves pursuing a life that mirrors God's attributes, such as love, mercy, justice, and holiness. Paul echoes this idea in Ephesians 5:1-2, where he urges believers to "follow God's example, as dearly loved children, and walk in the way of love."
2. Completeness in Love:
   • The preceding verses emphasize loving enemies and praying for those who persecute you. This radical love demonstrates completeness or maturity in love, going beyond ordinary human standards to reflect divine love.
3. Moral and Spiritual Maturity:
   • Jesus is calling for a higher level of moral and spiritual maturity. This involves not just external compliance with the law but an inward transformation that aligns one's heart and actions with God's will.
4. Holistic Righteousness:
   • The call to be perfect encompasses all aspects of life, including thoughts, attitudes, and actions. It is a holistic approach to righteousness that seeks to embody the principles of the Kingdom of God fully.

Application

• Personal Growth: Believers are encouraged to strive for spiritual growth and maturity, seeking to reflect God's character in all areas of their lives.
• Love and Mercy: This teaching calls for extending love and mercy to all people, including enemies, thereby demonstrating the completeness of God's love.
• Holistic Discipleship: Followers of Christ are urged to pursue a comprehensive righteousness that encompasses their entire being, aligning their inner and outer lives with God's standards.

Challenges and Encouragement

• Aspiring to Perfection: While achieving perfection in the absolute sense is impossible for humans, the call to be perfect is an aspiration to continually grow and improve in one's relationship with God and others.
• God's Grace and Support: This high standard is not meant to be achieved by human effort alone but through God's grace and the work of the Holy Spirit in believers' lives. Philippians 1:6 reminds believers that God, who began a good work in them, will carry it on to completion.