Articles
Religious Titles - Matthew 23
Religious Titles - Matthew 23
Titles are a sign of honor. They are a badge of accomplishment. Among the Jewish people, the law of God was held to be the foundation of their very existence; hence to be knowledgeable of such law was held as the highest accomplishment of life.
Such knowledge of the law also becomes a source of pride, arrogance, and contention. It was paraded before the people. It gendered the question of ‘who is the greatest…’. It turns the attention from God to men. It often changes the goal from DOING God’s will to the accumulation of knowledge of facts.
Paul warned that "Knowledge puffs up” (1Cor. 8:1). We are constantly warned that knowing without doing is worse than worthless. Such not only does not avail with God, it causes people to speak evil of God (Rom. 2:22-23). Such is hypocrisy. Even hypocrites will denounce hypocrisy in others.
Jesus attacks three common first-century Jewish titles. "Rabbi" was used of one who after long study became 'a master of Torah with disciples studying under him'. The goal was not submission and faithfulness to God, but recognition by men. "Father" likewise was used as a title for those esteemed scholars and rabbis. "Teacher" (instructor in ESV) was not just a teacher but was used as a title indicating one with authority over the disciples.
The essence of Jesus’ attack is that there is ONE teacher - the Messiah, ONE Father – God, and ONE master – the Christ. The goal of discipleship is to serve the LORD. The goal of teaching is simply to turn other people to serve Jesus. We are to make disciples of Jesus, NOT of ourselves. We are to teach them to observe all that JESUS taught. (Matt. 28:18-19). Our very allegiance is not to a teacher or even a body of believers, but unto Jesus as LORD.
We yet contend with such problems within the religious world. People still want to be called ‘Father’ in religion. We take the word ‘servant’, translate it as ‘minister’, and then elevate it to a title that distinguishes between brothers. We take the word ‘pastor’ (coming from the German word for shepherd’) and again make it a title of distinction. We then throw in some non-biblical words such as ‘Dr.’; ‘Arch-bishop’, ‘Reverend’ and makes these titles of distinction. Yes, we even elevate the very concept of ‘brother’ to such a title if we use it to speak of preachers to the distinction of others.
Religion is about God, not us.
Hugh DeLong
