Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Matthew 25:9
But the wise answered, saying, [Not so]; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
9. lest there be not enough for us and you ] The bridal procession was still to be made in which there would be need of burning lamps. The wise cannot impart their oil: an incident necessary to the leading idea of the parable; nothing can make up for unreadiness at the last moment. This point has been adduced as an argument against works of supererogation.
Not so; lest there be not ] Accepting a variation in the text adopted by Lachmann and Tregelles and Meyer, translate “Not so;” (which now comes into the text,) “there will surely not be enough,” &c.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 9. Lest there be not enough for us and you] These had all been companions in the Christian course, and there was a time when they might have been helpful to each other; but that time is now past for ever-none has a particle of grace to spare, not even to help the soul of the dearest relative! The grace which every man receives is just enough to save his own soul; he has no merits to bequeath to the Church; no work of supererogation which can be placed to the account of another.
Go ye rather to them that sell, and buy] By leaving out the particle , but, (on the indisputable authority of ABDGHKS, and HV, of Matthai, with sixteen others, the Armenian, Vulgate, and all the Itala but one,) and transposing a very little the members of the sentence, the sense is more advantageously represented, and the reading smoother: Rather go to them that sell, and buy for yourselves, lest there be not enough for us and you. Beza, Mill, Bengel, and Griesbach, approve of the omission of the particle
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
9. But the wise answered, Notso; lest there be not enough for us and youThewords “Not so,” it will be seen, are not in the original,where the reply is very elliptical”In case there be notenough for us and you.” A truly wise answer this. “Andwhat, then, if we shall share it with you? Why, both will be undone.”
but go ye rather to them thatsell, and buy for yourselvesHere again it would be strainingthe parable beyond its legitimate design to make it teach that menmay get salvation even after they are supposed and required to haveit already gotten. It is merely a friendly way of reminding them ofthe proper way of obtaining the needed and precious article, with acertain reflection on them for having it now to seek. Also, when theparable speaks of “selling” and “buying” thatvaluable article, it means simply, “Go, get it in the onlylegitimate way.” And yet the word “buy” issignificant; for we are elsewhere bidden, “buy wine and milkwithout money and without price,” and “buy of Christ goldtried in the fire,” c. (Isa 55:1Rev 3:18). Now, since what we paythe demanded price for becomes thereby our own property, thesalvation which we thus take gratuitously at God’s hands, beingbought in His own sense of that word, becomes ours thereby ininalienable possession. (Compare for the language, Pro 23:23;Mat 13:44).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
But the wise answered, saying, not so,…. A flat denial; and which sprung not from want or compassion; for the saints are taught not only to compassionate one another, and to pity fallen professors, but even to regard their very enemies in distress: nor from a narrow, niggardly spirit, since such are directed and exhorted to communicate freely, both in things temporal and spiritual, they are capable of, to them that are in need, and even to lay down their lives for the brethren; nor from an uncivil, morose, and churlish disposition; or from a careless and indolent one, as being unconcerned what became of these persons; but from an indignation at the honour put upon them, and the slight put upon God and Christ, and the Spirit of grace: saints know that all grace comes from Father, Son, and Spirit; and frankly own, that what they have is from thence; and they give God all the glory of it, and cannot bear any such application to them for it, as this; but show the same spirit, as Paul and Barnabas did, when the Lystrians were going to sacrifice to them. Moreover, this denial arose from a consciousness of insufficiency to help them in this respect: it is the saints’ mercy that they cannot lose the grace they have, nor can any take it away from them, and it is not in their power to give it away; nor can any be sanctified, or justified, or saved, by another man’s grace: the reason alleged by them is,
lest there be not enough for us and you; saints have a large abundance of grace communicated to them; some have more, others less; at least it so appears, as to exercise; but they that have the most, have none to spare, and see their need of more; and ask for more, being sensible that present grace in them, is not sufficient for time to come, but grace in Christ only; wherefore their answer, and the reason of it, were like themselves, wise; and this destroys the notion of supererogation;
but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. This advice is thought by some, to be ironical and sarcastic; but it seems rather to be serious, and in good earnest; directing them to go to proper persons for grace; not to men, even ministers of the Gospel, nor to angels; but to God the Father, the Father of mercies, and God of all comfort, who sits on a throne of grace, and gives it liberally to them that come to him for it through Christ, and ask it of him; and to Christ the mediator, who is full of grace and truth, and counsels persons to buy of him gold tried in the fire, grace more precious than the purest gold; and to the Spirit of grace, who gives it to all severally as he will: who are said to “sell”, and “men” to buy; not in a proper sense, by giving any valuable consideration for the grace of God, which is impossible to be done; but in an improper sense, without money and without price; or in other words, by giving and receiving freely.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Peradventure there will not be enough for us and you ( ). There is an elliptical construction here that is not easy of explanation. Some MSS. Aleph A L Z have instead of . But even so has to be explained either by supplying an imperative like or by a verb of fearing like (this most likely). Either or would be proper with the futuristic subjunctive (Moulton, Prolegomena, p. 192; Robertson, Grammar, pp. 1161,1174). “We are afraid that there is no possibility of there being enough for us both.” This is a denial of oil by the wise virgins because there was not enough for both. “It was necessary to show that the foolish virgins could not have the consequences of their folly averted at the last moment” (Plummer). It is a courteous reply, but it is decisive. The compound Greek negatives are very expressive, — .
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
Not so, lest, etc. [ ] . The Greek does not give the blunt negative of the A. V. It is a more courteous form of refusal, making the reason for refusing to supply the place of the negative. Give us of your oil, say the foolish. The wise reply, Lest perchance there be not by any means [ , ] enough. The Rev. gives it very happily. Per adventure there will not be enough, etc.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
9. Lest there be not enough for you and us. We know that the Lord distributes his gifts so variously to each, according to his measure, in order that they may give mutual aid to each other, and may employ for the general advantage what has been entrusted to each individual; and that in this way is preserved the sacred connection which exists among the members of the Church. But Christ here points out the time when he shall summon all men to his tribunal, each carrying his bundle, that he may bring with him according as he has done in his body. That portion of grace received, which every man has laid up for himself, is, therefore, justly compared to a stock of provisions for a journey, which would not be enough for a greater number of persons.
But rather go to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. These words immediately follow, and are not intended as an admonition, but a reproof; and the meaning is: “There once was a time for buying, which you ought not to have neglected; for oil was at that time offered for sale, but the means of obtaining it are now withdrawn.” And yet it is foolish in the Papists to infer from this, that by our own virtues or industry we obtain the gift of perseverance. For the word buy does not at all imply that a price has been given; as appears clearly from the passage in Isaiah, (55:1) where the Lord, while he invites us to buy, demands no price, but informs us, that he has wine and milk in abundance, to be gratuitously bestowed. There is no other way of obtaining it, therefore, but to receive by faith what is offered to us.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(9) Not so.The words, as the italics show, are not in the Greek. They are, perhaps, necessary to complete the sense in English; but there is a tone of regretful tenderness in the way in which, in the original, the wise virgins give the reason that makes compliance with the request impossible, without directly uttering a refusal.
Go ye rather to them that sell.This feature in the parable is too remarkable to be passed over lightly, especially as the exchangers in the parable that follows are clearly more or less analogous. We have to ask, then, who they are that, in the interpretation of the parable, according to the data already ascertained, answer to them that sell. And the answer is, that they are the pastors and teachers of the Churchthe stewards of the mysteries of God. Through them, whether as preachers of the divine Word of Wisdom, or as administering the sacraments which are signs and means of grace, men may, by Gods appointment, obtain the gift and grace they need. The buying and selling belong, of course, in their literal sense, to the parable only. No gift of God can be purchased with money (Act. 8:20). But the words are not, therefore, any more than in Mat. 13:44-46 (where see Notes), destitute of meaning. Men may buy the truth which they are not to sell (Pro. 23:23). They are invited to buy the wine and milk, which symbolise Gods spiritual gifts, without money and without price (Isa. 55:1). The price that God requires is the consecration of their heart (Pro. 23:26).
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
9. Lest there be not enough for us Here is a striking denial of the Romish doctrine of supererogation, by which the merits of particular saints may by surplus save other persons. The righteous are scarcely saved. After we have done all, we are unprofitable servants. We are saved not by works of righteousness which we have done, but by the merits of the Lord our righteousness. Go ye rather to them that sell This is added to show how utterly too late it is. The wise give the only counsel that thought can devise, but it is a plain impossibility. The judgment is too near, and the remedy is beyond all reach.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘But the wise answered, saying, “Perhaps there will not be enough for us and you. You go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.” ’
The wise knew that they could not help them. They had only brought with them sufficient for their own needs. They had none to spare. And they dared not take the risk of spoiling the wedding. Everyone was depending on them. Similarly those who are His can be sure that they will receive total sufficiency for all that they need. But they will need it all if their torch is to continue to burn brightly. So all that these virgins could do quite genuinely was point their fellow-virgins to the oil-vendors. The foolish had previously failed to come to God and buy what was without money and without price (Isa 55:1). Sadly they would now find that it was too late to obtain what they needed.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Mat 25:9. Saying, Not so, &c. This, says Dr. Doddridge, seems merely an ornamental circumstance; and it is strange, that any popish writer should consider it as favouring their doctrine of a stock of merits in the church, founded on works of supererogation; since if it referred to them at all (which there is no reason to imagine) it would rather expose than encourage any dependance upon them.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Mat 25:9 . ] Since is the correct reading (see critical remarks), and seeing that the following cannot be regarded as dependent on , but only on , the punctuation should be as follows: , . . .: never (shall we give you of our oil): there will certainly not be enough for us and you ! For the absolute negative , comp. Mat 26:5 ; Exo 10:11 ; Matthiae, p. 1454; Khner, II. 2, p. 1047. Correctly Bornemann, as above, p. 110; Bleek, Lange, Luthardt. Comp. Winer, p. 556 [E. T. 632]; Ellendt, Lex. Soph . II. p. 107.
Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary
9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so ; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
Ver. 9. Lest there be not enough, &c. ] The best have nought to spare, whatever Papists fancy of the church treasury. The righteous is scarcely saved; at death he finds all he could do little enough; though he began early, and bestirred himself to his utmost, hard and scarce gets he to heaven, though he hath instantly served God day and night, Act 26:7 , with a kind of extension and vehemency ( ).
But go ye rather to them that sell ] Salsa est derisio non cohortatio, like that, Isa 47:13 . As if God should say to Papists, Go to your indulgencers, pardon mongers, annealers; a or to carnal gospellers, Go to your parasitical preachers, that have soothed you up in your sins (and ye loved to have it so), or at the best, have shot off a few pop guns only against gross sins, and licked you whole again presently with, I hope better things of you.
a To burn in colours upon glass, earthenware, or metal, to enamel by encaustic process. D
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Mat 25:9 . , lest, implying, and giving a reason for, an unexpressed declinature. Kypke renders, perhaps, fortasse , citing examples from classics, also Loesner, giving examples from Philo. Elsner suggests that or is understood before . Schott, putting a comma after , and omitting after , translates thus: lest perchance there be not enough for us and you, go rather to them that sell, etc. (“ne forte oleum neque nobis neque vobis sufficiat, abite potius,” etc.). , etc.: this seems a cold, ungenerous suggestion on the part of the wise, and apparently untrue to what was likely to occur among girls at such a time. Could the oil really be got at such a time of night? and, supposing it could, would going not throw them out of the festivities? Augustine says: “non consulentium sed irridentium est ista responsio” (Serm. xc., iii., 8). More humanely, in the modern spirit, Koetsveld suggests that the marriage procession to music and song was very slow, and that there was a fair chance of overtaking it after the purchase ( De Gelijk. , p. 220). Let us hope so; but I fear we must fall back on the fact that “sudden emergencies bring into play a certain element of selfishness,” and take the advice of the wise as simply a refusal to be burdened with their neighbours’ affairs
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
Not so. Or, supply the Ellipsis thus: “[we must refuse] lest there be not enough”, &c.
not. Greek. ou. App-105. But all the texts read “ou me”. App-105.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Mat 25:9. , …, saying, etc.) In this, as in everything else, they showed themselves prudent.-, …, lest, etc.) A broken[1085] sentence, suitable to the hurry of that event.- , there be not sufficient) sc. for both you and us: i.e. we cannot share with you: a metonomy of the consequent [for the antecedent]. Every one must live by his own faith.-, for us) The prudent now have hardly[1086] enough for their own use. You ought previously to have followed the example of the prudent.-, …, go ye, etc.) Let us do in time what will then prove to have been wise.- , to them that sell) although they are not traders [i.e. do not make salvation a matter of traffic].-, buy) See Rev 3:18.
[1085] Not so, is not expressed in the original, which abruptly begins with , lest haply.-ED.
[1086] gre. There is here an allusion to 1Pe 4:18, where Bengel renders (E. V. scarcely, Vulg. vix) by gre. See Gnomon in loc.-(I. B.)
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
lest: Psa 49:7-9, Jer 15:1, Eze 14:14-16, Eze 14:20
but: Isa 55:1-3, Isa 55:6, Isa 55:7, Act 8:22, Rev 3:17, Rev 3:18
Reciprocal: Gen 48:18 – Not so Act 10:14 – Not
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
25:9
The capacity of the old style lamp was limited and it would have been foolish for the wise to reduce their supply at the last moment.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Mat 25:9. Peradventure. This was a refusal, though not in form. Not so is a correct paraphrase. The reply is not selfish, even in the figure, for it is affirmed: there will not be enough. To have divided the oil would have entirely defeated the purpose of the procession. In that hour each must stand for himself, each having for himself the oil of grace to make his lamp burn brightly. The brightness of the outward life, moreover, is to be a part of the glory of that hour.
Go ye rather to them that sell. This probably refers to the means of grace; the Scriptures, prayer, the ministry. Some even find here an argument for a set and a paid ministry.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Observe here, 1. The wise virgin’s denial, Not so; they will part with no oil.
Learn hence, That it must be the care of every one to get grace of his own, otherwise the grace of others will do him no good. It is not what others have done, that will save us, without our own endeavours.
Observe, 2. The reason of their denial, Lest there be not enough for us and you.
Thence note, That such Christians as have most grace, or the largest stock of grace, have none to spare; none to spare in regard of their occasions for grace on earth, and in regard of their expectations of glory in heaven.
Observe, 3. The advice and counsel given; Go to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. Some take this for an exhortation, others for a mocking derision. Go to them that sell: That is, say some, to the shop of the ordinances where it may be had.
Thence note, That such as would have grace, must have timely recourse to the ordinances and means of grace: Go to them, and buy. Others understand the words ironically, and as spoken by way of derision, Go to them that sell, if you know where to find them, and either buy or borrow for yourselves.
Learn thence, That it is the greatest folly in the world to have oil to buy, when we should have oil to burn; to have our grace to seek, when we should have it to exert and exercise. It is no time to get grace when the Bridegroom is come, and the day of grace is past and over.
Fuente: Expository Notes with Practical Observations on the New Testament
Mat 25:9. But the wise answered, saying, Not so The words, not so, are not in the Greek, which is only, , lest it should not be sufficient for us and you. They begin the sentence abruptly, showing thereby their surprise at the state of those poor wretches who had so long deceived them, as well as their own souls. Lest there be not enough It is sure there is not: for no man has more holiness than is sufficient for himself. Go ye rather to them that sell Without money, and without price: That is, to God in Christ. And buy If ye can. O no! The time is past, and returns no more. But this clause, Buy for yourselves, seems, as Dr. Doddridge observes, merely an ornamental circumstance; and it is strange that any popish writers should consider it as favouring their doctrine of a stock of merits in the church, founded on works of supererogation; since, if it referred to them at all, (which there is no reason to imagine,) it would rather expose than encourage any dependance upon them. Observe, reader, now only is the accepted time, and the day of salvation, when we may come to God through Christ, in the use of the means of grace, and buy for ourselves the divine oil, which will never fail us: nay, we are counselled and exhorted to do so: and if we despise and reject these counsels and exhortations, while they may be useful, our cries and wishes will be as surely rejected another day, and our vain attempts to purchase when the bridegroom is coming will issue in an eternal exclusion from his kingdom.