Salt of the Earth

The Beatitudes behind us, I continue my study on Matthew. The Sermon on the Mount did not end with the listing of character traits of a true believer. Jesus further instructed the Disciples on what the life of a true disciple would and would not look like.

Mathew 5:13-20 "You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how will it be made salty again? It is good for nothing anymore, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men."

The phrase 'has become tasteless' is comprised from the words moraine and moros and musterion.' Musterion' refers to having been instructed, schooled, in something not obvious and above human insight. Used in the New Testament: spoken of facts, principles, etc not previously revealed. Moraino is the passive verb –to make as a simpleton, become foolish, make foolish. Moros is used in the New testament as: of the mind, stupid, foolish.

The word 'good' here is ischuo meaning to have force, prevail, be of strength, be whole.

The phrase 'to be thrown' is ballo and in verse 13 is followed by  exo to mean cast out, rejected.

Jesus' audience at least partly includes "disciples" (5:1-2). Having described the appropriate lifestyle of disciples, Jesus now explains that a professed disciple who does not live this lifestyle of the kingdom is worth about as much as tasteless salt - nothing.

The truth of Christ does not rise or fall on the claims of his professed followers, but on Jesus himself. Unbelievers often credit their unbelief as a result of observing the "Christians" they know and not seeing anything that resembles the teachings of Jesus. The faith of nominal Christians, (those that talk the talk but do not walk the walk) may appeal to non-Christians who can use it to justify their own unbelief, but such "Christians" will have no part in God's kingdom. Instead, they will be thrown out and trampled (5:13).

A disciple who rejects the beatitudes' values is like tasteless salt: worthless. Salt had a variety of uses; probably the most evident use was as a flavoring agent. In any case the point is, what is to be done with salt that no longer functions as salt should?

Just as tasteless salt lacks value to the person who uses it, so does a professed disciple without genuine commitment prove valueless for the work of the kingdom.

Mathew 5:13-20 "You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how will it be made salty again? It is good for nothing anymore, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men."