Matthew 5:13

Matthew 5:13

Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

a. NLT: “You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.

b. NIV: “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.

c. Amplified Bible: You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste (its strength, its quality), how can its saltness be restored? It is not good for anything any longer but to be thrown out and trodden underfoot by men.

d. Young’s Literal Translation: 'Ye are the salt of the land, but if the salt may lose savour, in what shall it be salted? for nothing is it good henceforth, except to be cast without, and to be trodden down by men.

e. Worrell Translation: “Ye are the salt of the earth; but, if the salt becomes tasteless, with what shall it be salted? It is henceforth good for nothing, except, when cast without, to be trodden under foot by men.

1. “Ye are the salt of the earth…”

a. ye [5210 * humeis] [Strong: irregular plural of 4771; you (as subjective of verb):--ye (yourselves), you.]

b. are [2075 * este] [Strong: second person plural present indicative of 1510; ye are:--be, have been, belong.]

c. salt [217 * halas] [Strong: salt; figuratively, prudence:--salt.]

d. earth [1093 * ge] [Strong: contracted from a primary word; soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe (including the occupants in each application):--country, earth(-ly), ground, land, world.]

1). Albert Barnes: “Salt renders food pleasant and palatable, and preserves from putrefaction. So Christians, by their lives and instructions, are to keep the world from entire moral corruption. By bringing down the blessing of God in answer to their prayers, and by their influence and example, they save the world from universal vice and crime.”

2). A.S. Worrell: means of preserving it by your righteous lives, good examples, and prayers.

2. “…but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted?...”

a. but [1161 * de] [Strong: a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).]

b. if [1437 * ean] [Strong: from 1487 and 302; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty:--before, but, except, (and) if, (if) so, (what-, whither-)soever, though, when (-soever), whether (or), to whom, (who-)so(-ever).]

c. salt [237 * halas] [Strong: from 251; salt; figuratively, prudence:--salt.

d. lost its savour [3471 * moraine] [Thayer: to be foolish, to act foolishly, to make foolish, to prove a person or a thing foolish, to make flat and tasteless, of salt that has lost its strength and flavor.] [Zodhiates: to make dull, not acute, to cause something to lose its taste or the purpose for which it exists.] [The English word “moron” is a derivative ]

1). This word is used four times in the NT. It is translated lose savour twice, in Matthew 5:13; Luke 14:34. In Romans 1:22 it is translated to become or act like fools; and in 1 Corinthians 1:20, to make or show to be foolish Most if not all translations give the meaning of the word to be the ability of the salt to preserve or to flavor.

2). Looking at the use of the two meanings it is almost necessary to draw the conclusion that if a believer becomes foolish in his behavior he has lost his ability to preserve, to be salty. Proverbs is full of these examples. I can’t help but to extract the following, For a believer to backslide and go out into the world and participate in its vanities is to become a moron. Under the Mosaic Covenant salt was to be used in every meal offering.

a). Leviticus 2:13 [NIV] Season all your grain offerings with salt. Do not leave the salt of the covenant of your God out of your grain offerings; add salt to all your offerings.

3). Adam Clark’s Commentary: SALT was the opposite to leaven, for it preserved from putrefaction and corruption, and signified the purity and persevering fidelity that were necessary in the worship of God. Every thing was seasoned with it, to signify the purity and perfection that should be extended through every part of the Divine service, and through the hearts and lives of God's worshippers.  It was called the salt of the covenant of God, because as salt is incorruptible, so was the covenant made with Abram, Isaac, Jacob, and the patriarchs, relative to the redemption of the world by the incarnation and death of Jesus Christ…

4). The statute in the Mosaic Covenant of God giving the priesthood all the heave offerings of Israel was itself called by God to be a Covenant of salt.

a). Numbers 18:19 All the heave offerings of the holy things, which the children of Israel offer unto the LORD, have I given thee, and thy sons and thy daughters with thee, by a statute for ever: it is a covenant of salt for ever before the LORD unto thee and to thy seed with thee.

5). Adam Clark’s Commentary: It is a covenant of salt] That is, an incorruptible, everlasting covenant.  As salt was added to different kinds of viands, not only to give them a relish, but to preserve them from putrefaction and decay, it became the emblem of incorruptibility and permanence.  Hence, a covenant of salt signified an everlasting covenant.  We have already seen that, among the Asiatics, eating together was deemed a bond of perpetual friendship; and as salt was a common article in all their repasts, it may be in reference to this circumstance that a perpetual covenant is termed a covenant of salt; because the parties ate together of the sacrifice offered on the occasion, and the whole transaction was considered as a league of endless friendship.

6). This implies the world is sick; salt keeps meat from spoiling, salt is to keep meat from spoiling, not to preserve it after it has spoiled.

e. wherewith [1722 * en] [Strong: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between 1519 and 1537); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (... sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.]

1). [5101 * tis] Strong:  probably emphatic of 5100; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions):--every man, how (much), + no(-ne, thing), what (manner, thing), where (-by, -fore, -of, -unto, - with, -withal), whether, which, who(-m, -se), why.]

f. shall it be salted [233 * halizo] [Strong: from 251; to salt:--salt.]

3. “…it is thenceforth good for nothing…”

a. it is thenceforth [2089 * eti] [Strong: perhaps akin to 2094; "yet," still (of time or degree):--after that, also, ever, (any) further, (t-)henceforth (more), hereafter, (any) longer, (any) more(-one), now, still, yet.]

b. good [2480 * ischuo] [Strong: from 2479; to have (or exercise) force (literally or figuratively):--be able, avail, can do(-not), could, be good, might, prevail, be of strength, be whole, + much work.]

c. for [1519 * eis] [Strong: a primary preposition; to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases:--(abundant-)ly, against, among, as, at, (back-)ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for (intent, purpose), fore, + forth, in (among, at, unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-)on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore(-unto), throughout, til, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-)until(-to), ...ward, (where-)fore, with. Often used in composition with the same general import, but only with verbs (etc.) expressing motion (literally or figuratively).]

d. nothing [3762 * oudeis] [Strong: including feminine oudemia oo-dem-ee'-ah, and neuter ouden oo-den' from 3761 and 1520; not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e. none, nobody, nothing:--any (man), aught, man, neither any (thing), never (man), no (man), none (+ of these things), not (any, at all, -thing), nought.]

1). The various translations shed much light on the phrase it is “good for nothing”.

a). [NKJV] “It is then good for nothing…”

b). [NIV] “It is no longer good for anything…”

c). [Darby] “It is no longer fit for anything…”

2). Through disobedience to God’s word we can lose our usefulness to God. We become useless. We lose our ability to be a preservative or to give flavor and become foolish and disobedient in our behavior.

a). Jeremiah 13:1-10 Thus saith the LORD unto me, Go and get thee a linen girdle, and put it upon thy loins, and put it not in water.

13:2 So I got a girdle according to the word of the LORD, and put it on my loins.

13:3 And the word of the LORD came unto me the second time, saying,

13:4 Take the girdle that thou hast got, which is upon thy loins, and arise, go to Euphrates, and hide it there in a hole of the rock.

13:5 So I went, and hid it by Euphrates, as the LORD commanded me.

13:6 And it came to pass after many days, that the LORD said unto me, Arise, go to Euphrates, and take the girdle from thence, which I commanded thee to hide there.

13:7 Then I went to Euphrates, and digged, and took the girdle from the place where I had hid it: and, behold, the girdle was marred, it was profitable for nothing.

13:8 Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

13:9Thus saith the LORD, After this manner will I mar the pride of Judah, and the great pride of Jerusalem.

13:10 This evil people, which refuse to hear my words, which walk in the imagination of their heart, and walk after other gods, to serve them, and to worship them, shall even be as this girdle, which is good for nothing.

3). The Apostle Paul in his second letter to Timothy shared how a believer may become a vessel of gold and honor as opposed to a vessel of earth and dishonor.

a). 2 Timothy 2:14-21 Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.

2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

2:16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.

2:17 And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;

2:18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.

2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

2:20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.

2:21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.

4. “…but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.”

a. but [1508 * ei me]] [Strong: from 1487 and 3361; if not:--but, except (that), if not, more than, save (only) that, saving, till.]

b. to be cast [906 * ballo] [Strong: a primary verb; to throw (in various applications, more or less violent or intense):--arise, cast (out), X dung, lay, lie, pour, put (up), send, strike, throw (down), thrust.]

c. out [1854 * exo] [Strong: adverb from 1537; out(-side, of doors), literally or figuratively:--away, forth, (with-)out (of, -ward), strange.]

d. and [2532 * kai] [Strong: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.]

e. trodden under foot [2662 * katapateo] [Thayer: to tread down, trample under foot, to trample on, metaph. to treat with rudeness and insult.] [Zodhiates: Septuagint, Ezekiel 34:18, 2 Chronicles 25:18, to trample underfoot in a figurative sense, to treat with the utmost contempt. Hebrews 10:29.]

1). Ezekiel 34:18 Seemeth it a small thing unto you to have eaten up the good pasture, but ye must tread down with your feet the residue of your pastures? and to have drunk of the deep waters, but ye must foul the residue with your feet?

2). Ezekiel 34:18 NIV: Is it not enough for you to feed on the good pasture? Must you also trample the rest of your pasture with your feet? Is it not enough for you to drink clear water? Must you also muddy the rest with your feet?

3). Ezekiel 34:18 Amplified Bible: Is it too little for you that you feed on the best pasture, but you must tread down with your feet the rest of your pasture? And to have drunk of the waters clarified by subsiding, but you must foul the rest of the water with your feet?

4). Ezekiel 34:18 Young’s Literal Translation: Is it a little thing for you -- the good pasture ye enjoy, And the remnant of your pasture ye tread down with your feet, And a depth of waters ye do drink, And the remainder with your feet ye trample,

f. of [5259 * hupo] [Strong:  a primary preposition; under, i.e. (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or means, through); (with the accusative case) of place (whither (underneath) or where (below) or time (when (at)):--among, by, from, in, of, under, with. In the comparative, it retains the same general applications, especially of inferior position or condition, and specially, covertly or moderately.]

g. men [444 * Anthropos] [Strong: from 435 and ops (the countenance; from 3700); man-faced, i.e. a human being:--certain, man.]

1). If we turn our backs on God, knowing the grace of God, we are essentially trampling on him.

a). Hebrews 10:29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?

b. ). The passage in Matthew 5:13 says the same will be for us.