N13. Repenting of Our Own Sin before Seeking to Correct Our Neighbor. [Make a Comment]
We are to repent of our own sin before seeking to correct our neighbor.
This precept is derived from His Word (blessed be He):
Key Scriptures
Matthew 7:3-5
Why do you see the splinter in your brother's eye but not notice the
log in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the
splinter out of your eye,' when you have the log in your own eye? You
hypocrite! First, take the log out of your own eye; then you will see
clearly, so that you can remove the splinter from your brother's eye!
Luke 6:41-42
So why do you see the splinter in your brother's eye, but not notice
the log in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Brother,
let me remove the splinter from your eye,' when you yourself don't
see the log in your own eye? You hypocrite! First take the log out of your
own eye; then you will see clearly, so that you can remove the splinter from
your brother's eye!
Galatians 6:1
Brothers, suppose someone is caught doing something wrong. You who have the
Spirit should set him right, but in a spirit of humility, keeping an eye on
yourselves so that you wont be tempted too.'
Supportive Scripture
2 Timothy 2:23-26
But stay away from stupid and ignorant controversies - you know that they
lead to fights, and a slave of the Lord shouldn't fight. On the
contrary, he should be kind to everyone, a good teacher, and not resentful
when mistreated. Also he should be gentle as he corrects his opponents. For
God may perhaps grant them the opportunity to turn from their sins, acquire
full knowledge of the truth, come to their senses and escape the trap of the
Adversary, after having been captured alive by him to do his will.
Commentary
The term "hypocrite" is often applied to persons who seek to correct others while being in significant fault themselves. According to Galatians 6:1, it is right for us to correct a brother who is caught doing something sinful, provided that we do so "in a spirit of humility, keeping an eye on [ourselves] so that [we] won't be tempted too." A key aspect of humility is our willingness to judge our own conduct against what is taught in Scripture, and especially before seeking to correct our neighbor's. Notice that I said "correct" and not "judge" when our neighbor is not a brother or sister believer. Passing judgment is authoritative, and goes further than merely seeking to correct. According to 1 Corinthians 5:12-13, believers are authorized to judge one other, but are not to judge those outside the body of believers:
For what business is it of mine to judge outsiders? Isn't it those who are part of the community that you should be judging? God will judge those who are outside. Just expel the evildoer from among yourselves.
Classical Commentators
This Mitzvah is not addressed by any of the classical commentators.
NCLA: JMm JFm KMm KFm GMm GFm