Commentaries:
Many people think of good works only as giving to charity or doing some sort of free public service like working in a soup kitchen. However, one of the most overlooked good works is submitting to and obeying God and His law. We should do so not to try to earn salvation—that is through God's grace—but to align ourselves with God and His righteousness (see Matthew 6:33).
There are other benefits to obedience that most never consider. For instance, when we faithfully obey God out of love for Him, we set a good example for others, modeling for them the right way to live. John writes in I John 5:3, “For this is the love [agapē] of God, that we keep His commandments.” Obeying His commandments shows both our love for Him and others.
John Reiss
Waxing Cold
A Christian should not let his light shine to be praised by others, but to bring glory to the Father. The Pharisees acted to be seen of men, but true Christians behave to glorify God, caring little what people may think of them. It is by our conduct, not our pomp and circumstance, that others may be brought to honor God. We should live so that people may see from our good works the proper nature of God's way of life. Good works cannot be hidden because they stand in stark contrast to the ways of this wicked world (I Timothy 5:25). These works are required behavior at home and in the outside world.
Martin G. Collins
Parable of the Light
In the Parable of the Light recorded in Matthew 5:14-16 (found also in Mark 4:21; Luke 8:16-17; 11:33-36), Jesus Christ uses two figures of speech to express the responsibility of true Christians to influence the world: "a city . . . on a hill" and "a lamp . . . on a lampstand."
Many Judean cities were founded on the summits or sides of mountains, and travelers could see them from afar. Perhaps Jesus pointed to such a city, telling His disciples that they were like it. The city built on an important location can be seen by many eyes over a wide area, representing a disciple's far-ranging and widespread exposure to others.
Jesus' illustration of a shining lamp illuminating the home suggests a disciple's more intimate influence. By design, a Christian's actions cannot be hidden from the eyes of either our families or the world at large. This being the case, he must live a righteous, holy, humble, and pure life, letting his "light so shine before men [and thus] . . . glorify your Father in heaven."
Martin G. Collins
Parable of the Light
A Christian's righteous life, pleasant attitude, and good works, including pure conversation and faithful obedience, should not be hidden but be seen and known. We can give no light until we have received the grace of God and the enlightenment that comes through the Holy Spirit. Our lives must produce the fruit of the Spirit, reflecting the shining example of Jesus Christ. Humbly, in all communities, in all business, at home and abroad, in prosperity and adversity, it should be clear that we adhere to God's way of life. Letting our examples shine requires that we resist the influence of the world. We cannot have a light that shines and at the same time live as the world does with its lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and pride of life (I John 2:16-17).
Martin G. Collins
Parable of the Light
Other Forerunner Commentary entries containing Matthew 5:16:
Matthew 5:14-16
Matthew 5:17-20
Matthew 6:9
Matthew 13:44
Matthew 25:16-18
Mark 4:21
Luke 8:16-17
Luke 11:33-36
John 17:16
Galatians 3:2
1 John 2:1-2
Revelation 11:4
