Posted in Bible for LifeBiblical Studies Center
Daniel B. Wallace wrote a series of three blog posts on the explanation and application of Matthew 28. It’s great on hearing the words of the Bible carefully, following the path of interpretation and then application. It’s also really good on application for missions. Highly recommended and it gives a good impression of the kind of interpretation and application we want to practice in Bible For Life.
Find the blog posts here: 1, 2, 3
And here are the opening paragraphs of the first post:
“I don’t know the source [of the expression 'Great Commission or Great Suggestion', JW], but I suspect it is from a Christian magazine article written in the last 75 years. My guess is that this idea would have found fertile soil during the Great Depression (when funds were definitely low and excuses for lack of action could be high; for a parallel, see Jas 2.1-13). There’s a myth foisted on the Christian public about the meaning of the Great Commission (Matt 28.19-20). It goes something like this: “In the Greek, the word translated ‘Go’ is really a participle and it literally means, ‘as you are going.’ But the words ‘make disciples’ are an imperative in Greek. That’s the only imperative in these two verses. Therefore, the Great Commission is not a command to go; rather, it is a command to make disciples as you are going, or make disciples along the way.” The exposition based on this understanding of the Greek text then attempts to salve the consciences of the congregation, permitting them to do nothing about the lost if it at all means going out of their way.
There are two major problems with this treatment of Matt 28.19-20. First, it is a misunderstanding of the Greek. Second, it is a misunderstanding of the historical context. This blog will deal with the first issue.”