Split word Matthew 5:48?

[distazo]

I'm working at the Dutch version of the Peshitta, at least, I'm trying too <!-- s --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/smile.gif" alt="" title="Smile" /><!-- s -->

And I always found Jesus saying strange, that he said: "Be perfect, since your Father is perfect."

I always found this disheartening, because we humans, can never reach that level.

However, the root word (according to the lexicon) can mean two things...

(G'mira, 3852) can mean mature als well as 'perfect'. According to the context, Jesus explained that the Father, without making distictions, gives rain and good things to people. This is more in harmany with being 'mature'. Since Adult People, for instance, a Judge, will give justice, unlike the person that stands before him. That is 'mature'.

What do you think about this 'split' word?

[gbausc]

Shlama Distazo,

The word "gmyr" can mean "mature","complete","whole" as well as "perfect" , but remember, you must apply it to God in the same way you apply it to yourself.
Is it correct to speak of God as being "mature"? Only if He has grown up into full manhood; but when did God The Father become an adult?

Besides, the context does not support that view, it seems to me. Our Lord was talking about loving our enemies and doing good things for them, which is not an easy thing to do, but which God does every day. If we do this, we are like our Father in Heaven and "sons of your Father in Heaven" (v. 45). To act as God would act is to be "perfect", not "mature".

How can we do this? Consider who it is that commands us to to it. Did He not command his disciples to heal the sick, cast out demons and preach the gospel? Did he leave them to their own devices and power? Were they to do these things by their own power?

When Yeshua commissioned his apostles, we read in Matthew 28:20 that he said: "Behold, I am with you every day, even to the end of the world."

"Faithful is he that hath called you, who will do it." 1 Thessalonians 5:24

We are not alone.

Blessings in The Lord God, our Messiah,

Dave Bauscher