Gospel of Matthew Chapter 25 Vs. 37

 The Final Judgment

Matthew 25:37 “Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, and fed [thee]? or thirsty, and gave [thee] drink?”

Lord, when saw... Questions 146-150. Next, Mat. 25:44. This barbarous expression, an hungered, should be banished out of the text, wherever it occurs, and the simple word hungry substituted for it. Whatever is done for Christ’s sake is done through Christ’s grace; and he who does the work attributes to Jesus both the will and the power by which the work was done.

And seeks and expects the kingdom of heaven not as a reward, but as a gift of pure unmerited mercy. Yet, while workers together with his grace, God attributes to them that which they do through his influence, as if they had done it independently of him. God has a right to form what estimate he pleases of the works wrought through himself: but man is never safe except when he attributes all to his Maker.

While there is no encouragement here for those who hope to make up for the rejection of Christ by deeds of kindness to poor people, there is abundant room left for the acceptance at the last of those who had no means of knowing Christ, . but who showed by their treatment of their fellow men in distress that the spirit of Christ was in them.

The King’s statement will prompt the sheep to respond that they do not recall ever having ministered directly to the King (Mat. 25:37-39).