Matthew 18:10 Take heed that you despise not one of these little ones; for I say to you… The man who is above all these things looks with profound disdain upon the toys of the little children around him. Do you think he is nobler at that moment when he says he is above all these things, than that other who stoops from out of his range of knowledge to help the little child with the broken toy? There is a contrast of character. The one has knowledge and conceit, which is always twin brother to contempt, and the other has the sympathy and the reverence, and these are linked in their kinship together. Or it takes the form in another man's nature of that determination to view himself as exempt from the laws which govern other men. Other men are studious, other men are prayerful, and other men watch their characters and examine themselves. He says, "I never could do that sort of thing." There is the spirit of contempt for that which is the help of others. But is it a great thing to hold ourselves above our fellows, or is it not the very teaching of Jesus Christ that the noblest thing for man is to recognize that he is man. and that his best manliness is in submitting himself to those laws and orders which are needful for the education and discipline of man? It is always Satan's method to say, "Ye shall be as gods;" and it drops in well with our conceit, and it ministers to our contempt. (Bishop Carpenter, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven. |
    |