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Verse Takeaways
1
Character Precedes Conduct
Commentators emphasize a crucial sequence: a tree is good before it produces good fruit. In the same way, a person's good actions (fruit) do not make them good; rather, their actions reveal their inner nature (the tree). Our conduct flows from our character, not the other way around. As John Gill notes, a person is made good by God's grace first, and then they produce good works.
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Matthew
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Commentaries
12
Albert Barnes
On Matthew 7:17
18th Century
Theologian
A corrupt tree. The word corrupt here does not mean, as our translation would seem to indicate, that the tree had been good, but …
Charles Spurgeon
On Matthew 7:16–20
19th Century
Preacher
Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil …
Expositor's Bible Commentary
On Matthew 7:17
From a distance the little black berries on the buckthorn could be mistaken for grapes, and the flowers on certain thistles might deceive one into …
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John Gill
On Matthew 7:17
17th Century
Pastor
Ver. 17 Even so every good tree brings forth good fruit
As is the tree, so is its fruit; if the tree is good, it w…
Matthew Henry
On Matthew 7:15–20
17th Century
Minister
Nothing prevents people so much from entering the strait gate, and becoming true followers of Christ, as the carnal, soothing, flattering doctrines…
Thomas Aquinas
On Matthew 7:15–29
13th Century
Philosopher
He gives precautions concerning those against whom one should be on guard. Now, they are described by their profession as prophets.
But one …