Proper 17

Series B Proper 17

Deuteronomy 4:1–2, 6–9

Ephesians 6:10–20

Mark 7:14–23

We Are Cleansed and Sustained by the Word of God

Wickedness and evil come “from within, out of the heart,” and that is what defiles a person (Mark 7:21–23). Hence, we cannot save ourselves, because we are sinful and unclean from the inside out. But as the Lord Jesus “declared all foods clean” (Mark 7:19), so He cleanses us by His Word, by the preaching of repentance and the forgiveness of sins. Therefore, “listen to the statutes and the rules” of the Lord, “and do them, that you may live” (Deuteronomy 4:1). For His Word is righteous, and to live according to it is “your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples” (Deuteronomy 4:6). Cling to His Word, and also teach it “to your children and your children’s children” (Deuteronomy 4:9). Put on this “armor of God” by hearing and heeding what He speaks to you, that you may “stand firm” in the evil day (Ephesians 6:11–13). Gird yourself with the righteousness of Christ, by faith in the “gospel of peace,” and take up “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,” by confessing Christ Jesus and “praying at all times in the Spirit.” (Ephesians 6:14–18).

Mark 7:14-23

O God, the source of all that is just and good, nourish in us every virture and bring to completion every good intent that we may grow in grace and bring forth the fruit of good works

Lord renew us each day with clean hearts. By Your Spirit, give us joyous words, generous spirits, and behaviors that reflect Your glory.

Jesus teaches that people are not defined by food or other things entering the body from the outside, but rather by their own evil inclinations and sinful behaviors. This teaching exposes the uselessness of our own excuse making and dismisses our claims that other people and things are to blame for our shortcomings and failures. However, Jesus does not merely condemn; He also sets free. Through His promises we are liberated from sin and reconciled to God.

Ritually impure food does not tough the heart and so cannot contaminate. All food is clean. Jesus' teaching will affect the future Christian mission. Simply put, Gentile will not need to observe Jewish dietary laws. The question of food laws caused much controversy in the 1st Century Church. See Acts 15:1-1-35; Romans 14:1-3, 1 Corinthians 8:7-13

What Defiles a Person

14

και προσκαλεσαμενος παλιν τον οχλον ελεγεν αυτοις ακουσατε μου παντες και συνετε

And he called the people to him again and said to them, “Hear me, all of you, and understand:

-all of you hear and understand. Even the disciples need instruction. The crow is getting smaller. See Mark 6:7; 15:34  common summoning.

15

ουδεν εστιν εξωθεν του ανθρωπου εισπορευομενον εις αυτον ο δυναται κοινωσαι αυτον αλλα τα εκ του ανθρωπου εκπορευομενα εστιν τα κοινουντα τον ανθρωπον  

There is nothing outside a person that by going into him can defile him, but the things that come out of a person are what defile him.”

-this verse interprets Vv. 1-13, nothing coming in will render a person as “common” what goes out is what defiles a person.

-a difference/distinction between ceremonial purity and Christ’s fulfillment both passive and active. Our standing before God is fulfilled in the one man CHRIST.

-NOTE most manuscripts eliminate the phrase, “He who has ears left him hear.”

17

και οτε εισηλθεν εις τον οικον απο του οχλου επηρωτων αυτον οι μαθηται αυτου την παραβολην

And when he had entered the house and left the people, his disciples asked him about the parable.

-“parable,” a reference to the form of Jesus teaching.

18

και λεγει αυτοις ουτως και υμεις ασυνετοι εστε ου νοειτε οτι παν το εξωθεν εισπορευομενον εις τον ανθρωπον ου δυναται αυτον κοινωσαι

And he said to them, “Then are you also without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile him,

19

οτι ουκ εισπορευεται αυτου εις την καρδιαν αλλ εις την κοιλιαν και εις τον αφεδρωνα εκπορευεται καθαριζων παντα τα βρωματα

since it enters not his heart but his stomach, and is expelled?” (Thus he declared all foods clean.)

--By this teaching Jesus declares (cleans and makes) all food good. He directs His words to the condition of the heart. Instead of doing more to be good we need a new heart. To lord over another because of their piety is hypocrisy. “I desire mercy not sacrifice” meaning not empty sacrifice.    

20

ελεγεν δε οτι το εκ του ανθρωπου εκπορευομενον εκεινο κοινοι τον ανθρωπον

And he said, “What comes out of a person is what defiles him.

-what comes out of a man is what defiles and defines a man.

Vv. 21-22 Beginning with sexual immorality, 12 kinds of evil thoughts and actions are combined in a dreadful list of vices.  The first six are in the plural form an describe behaviors. The last six are in the singular and have more to do with attitudes. These 12 vices leave no doubt as to the wretched impurity of the human spirit.  See Ps. 51:5 on the human heart.

-from the heart a man proceeds these – evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, eveny, slander, pride, foolishness.

There can be an external righteousness. See the life of St. Paul before his conversion. He was essentially a “righteous one.” ‘set the bar so high no one can achieve it but low enough for yourself.’

21

εσωθεν γαρ εκ της καρδιας των ανθρωπων οι διαλογισμοι οι κακοι εκπορευονται πορνειαι κλοπαι φονοι

For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery,

22

μοιχειαι πλεονεξιαι πονηριαι δολος ασελγεια οφθαλμος πονηρος βλασφημια υπερηφανια αφροσυνη

coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness.

23

παντα ταυτα τα πονηρα εσωθεν εκπορευεται και κοινοι τον ανθρωπον

 All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”

Sources:

Greek translation and English translations - https://biblia.com/books/tisch/Mk7.13