8 But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.
9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.
10 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.
@sugarisgreat
Context is key. Father/master/rabbi are titles and roughly mean some kind of spiritual instructor. But who is that father upon the earth mean? Is it someone who follows their own desires over God's?
But what does Jesus do when he sends out the disciples? They become spiritual instructors. Wouldn't that be a basic contradiction?
Those honorifics have so special significance. It is not saying not to merely 'call' or use certain titles, but not to follow those that do not follow God.
This makes more logical sense than a semantic prohibition against certain titles. It also points to the idea of their being no special class of people that are separate from everyone.
This is clearer in the full passage when it talks about those who make themselves appear outwardly as Godly but are inwardly corrupt. Jesus was addressing specifically the scribes/pharisees that thought they possessed spiritual superiority.
9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.
10 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.
@sugarisgreat
Context is key. Father/master/rabbi are titles and roughly mean some kind of spiritual instructor. But who is that father upon the earth mean? Is it someone who follows their own desires over God's?
But what does Jesus do when he sends out the disciples? They become spiritual instructors. Wouldn't that be a basic contradiction?
Those honorifics have so special significance. It is not saying not to merely 'call' or use certain titles, but not to follow those that do not follow God.
This makes more logical sense than a semantic prohibition against certain titles. It also points to the idea of their being no special class of people that are separate from everyone.
This is clearer in the full passage when it talks about those who make themselves appear outwardly as Godly but are inwardly corrupt. Jesus was addressing specifically the scribes/pharisees that thought they possessed spiritual superiority.