For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ website.
Jesus speaks of pigs and dogs in Matt 7:6. So shall we, in this podcast (11 minutes).
“Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you” (Matthew 7:6).
- This text connects with the previous section (7:1-5), although to obey it requires us to engage in one of the acceptable forms of judging allowed by the Bible.
- Hypocritical judging is forbidden.
- We must truly care for the other person, and we should not criticize them when our own sins are identical or worse.
- There are many varieties of judging. See the study of 13 varieties of judging in the Bible It is called Judge Not! (Stockholm, 1990).
- Matt 7:6 has application in three areas: (1) evangelism and (2) communion, and (3) baptism.
Evangelism
- The gospel of the kingdom is a precious pearl. We want to share the gospel with all who will hear it. And we certainly do not want to be hasty in determining that we are wasting our time in speaking to someone—even if they give the appearance of being unworthy. See Matt 10:11-15.
- Jesus illustrated this principle when He spoke to the crowds in parables. When His disciples asked Him why He spoke to the crowds in parables, Jesus replied, “Because it is given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whoever has, more will be given to him, and he will have an abundance. But whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. For this reason I speak to them in parables. For seeing, they do not see; and hearing, they do not hear; neither do they understand” (Matt 13:11-13).
- Cyprian: “Solomon says, in the Proverbs, ‘Do not say anything in the ears of a foolish man; lest, when he hears it, he may mock at your wise words’ [Prov. 23:9 LXX]. Also in the Gospel according to Matthew: ‘Do not give that which is holy to the dogs, nor cast your pearls before swine.’” To Quirinius 3.50 (ANF 5.546)
- Cyprian: “‘Do not answer a fool according to his folly, lest you also become like him’ [Prov. 26:4]. Moreover, we are commanded to keep what is holy within our own knowledge, and not expose it to be trodden down by swine and dogs.” To Demetrianus 1 (ANF 5.458)
- Clement of Alexandria: “Even now I fear, as it is said, ‘to cast pearls before swine, lest they tread them under foot, and turn and rip us apart.’ For it is difficult to exhibit the really pure and transparent words respecting the true light to swinish and untrained hearers.” Stromata (ANF 2.312-313).
- Moreover, evangelism can even cause harm, bringing unnecessary resentment or opposition on Christ's disciples. We must be wise!
Communion
- The Didache: “Let no one eat or drink of your eucharist except those who have been baptized in the name of the Lord. For concerning this the Lord has said, ‘Do not give that which is holy to the dogs.’” Didache 9
- Chrysostom: “Give heed, those of you who would partake of the mysteries [i.e., communion] unworthily. Give heed, those of you who would approach the communion table unworthily. For He says, ‘Do not give that which is holy to the dogs.’” Homilies on Hebrews 20.3.
- While I personally lean towards “closed communion,” I believe good arguments can be made on either side of the argument.
Baptism
- Tertullian: “Those whose office it is, know that baptism is not to be administered rashly. … ‘Do not give holy things to the dogs, nor cast your pearls before swine.’” On Baptism (ANF 3.677).
Conclusion
- It is not ungracious to think analytically about people’s receptiveness to the gospel. Jesus himself modeled this. It is both strategic and, ultimately, loving.
- 7:6 is not at all a contradiction of 7:1-5!
- We must keep holiness in view in regard to both communion and baptism.
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