Basic HTML Version
Soncino Commentary
:
A gossiper who carries to others confidential information
given to him.”
Most people love hearing the gossip and the rumors from the grapevine, as it is often
called.
Proverbs 18:8 “The (
slanderous
) words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles
(
swallowed greedily
), and they go down into the inmost body
(and are
thoroughly digested)
.”
God’s counsel is to avoid the talebearers:
Proverbs 20:19 “He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets;
therefore do not associate with one who flatters (
opens wide
) with his lips.”
Forgiveness Must be Given Upon Repentance
Though it is hard enough to forgive someone for defaming his or her character by
bearing false witness, it is even harder to forgive fully – from the heart, yet Jesus Christ
says it must be done (
Matthew 18:21-35
); that is, once the perpetrator upon seeing the
harm and hurt he or she has done to the injured person seeks forgiveness:
Matthew 17:1-4 Then He (Jesus Christ) said to the disciples, “It is
impossible but that offenses (
margin: stumbling blocks
) should come (
from a
neighbor, friend, or brother
), but woe to him through whom they do come! It
would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he
were thrown into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.
Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and
if he repents forgive him. And if he sins against you seven times in a day,
and seven times in a day returns to you and say, ‘I repent,” you shall forgive
him.”
Jesus Christ set the example Himself by forgiving the Apostle Peter who could have
stood up for Him when He was on trial for his life. Instead he swore an oath to the
bystanders who had questioned him whether he was one of Christ’s disciples that He did
not know Him (
Matthew 26:69-75; John 21:15-17).
Safeguards in Place
The following Scriptures were given by the LORD God through His prophet Moses to
make sure that no guilt could be established, no landmark could be removed, or any
other injury to life, or property, except by two or three reputable witnesses:
Deuteronomy 19:15 “One witness shall NOT rise against a man concerning
any iniquity or any sin that he commits; by the mouth of two or three
witnesses the matter shall be established.” Matthew 18:15-16.
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