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NASB | Matthew 18:6 but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a heavy millstone hung around his neck, and to be drowned in the depth of the sea. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 18:6 but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble and sin [by leading him away from My teaching], it would be better for him to have a heavy millstone [as large as one turned by a donkey] hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea. [Mark 9:42; Luke 17:2] |
Subject: Jesus' thoughts on child abuse |
Bible Note: Hi Lookn, Without correct Biblical interpretation, how do we define acts of love? Our own sensibilities? It seems pretty obvious when we are talking about child abuse, but the fact is that pretty soon we all tend to wander off into the weeds without an objective standard. Nonetheless, since this is a Bible Study Forum, we consider it extremely important that we confine ourselves to the actual teaching of Scripture, and to do that, we have to stick with the actual meanings of the word used. This verse in question teaches that one would be better off by tying a millstone to their next an casting themselves into the deep part of the sea than doing something that leads one of these children into sin. But the fact is, the Bible teaches against all manner of sin committed against anyone, including children. There is no free pass just because the victim of your sin is a child. But staying with this verse a moment, child abuse is a major stumbling block to children, as those being abused very often emerge with deep emotional scars, which lead to sinful behaviors. Drop down a couple more verses, as Jesus warns against despising one of these little ones. This "despising" is from "kataphroneo", to have a mind against. It seems to me that this is the seed from which child abuse comes from. Its when the abuser fails to value the child as God does; God, Who appoints them angels who stand in His very presence. We need not worry that God will overlook any unrighteousness, and leave it unpunished. God clearly has a heart for children. He witnesses every abuse, every misdeed, and He will avenge them all. But we only have this certain commitment if we stay true to His Word, and simply allow it to speak to us. Anything else is just making stuff up. Love in Chirst, Mark |