Prior Book | Prior Chapter | Prior Verse | Next Verse | Next Chapter | Next Book | Viewing NASB and Amplified 2015 | |
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: Do all little ones believe? |
Bible Note: Dear Cyclist, Greetings in Jesus' name! I devote time time to the forum to glorify God, serve my fellows, and (hopefully) gain knowledge and wisdom. It is a joy to share time with you, my friend, because you challenge without rancor, and are honest about your ignorance. I pray that your example will rub off on me! I have a bit of time these past few days because we are between 'seasons.' Soon, however, the demands on my time will keep from much participation. :-( We have a school drama coming up next Spring, and hope to do some interior and exterior remodeling on our church building next Summer. Because I am the only 'handy' person here, I will become busy with these, as well as the usual Christmas-New Years fellowship-evangelism. :-) Enough about me. (and many said 'Amen!') To answer this question first, I do believe that we are born with an awareness of God our creator. First, we are created in His image (Genesis 1:26,27), so our very being gives us a glimpse of His creation. Though not Biblical, there is a saying, "You have but to open your eyes to see the glory of God!" Though we are born under the curse of Adam, the image of God cannot be erased, only veiled. Jesus 'rent the veil' that His chosen may see Him. But awareness of God is not acceptance of God, nor is it a claim to innocence. For even the demons believe, and shudder (James 2:19). Concerning the 'unborn and nursing babes' in Matthew 24:19 (and others), my 'physical' resources continue to focus on the difficulty in fleeing to Jerusalem, as there will be no time to prepare for the journey. This would make the already hasty flight near-impossible for such mothers, thus woe unto them. None mention the plight of the children specifically. Finally, regarding the 'little ones' in Matthew 18, one little side note: There is a tradition that the child that Jesus stood before them was the famous martyr Ignatius, and that the 'example' the Lord used was also prophetic. Other authors consider this tradition to be doubtful... In any case, the unanimous concensus is that the 'little ones' are humble and faithful saints of the Lord Jesus, and the child is but an example. If you come up with any other Scripture or commentary to refute this, I would like to hear it. Many blessings in Christ Jesus, charis |