Matthew 5 and Job 31 ESV
Wake County CLS – July 18, 2025
What does it really mean when Jesus says, “Be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect”? This teaching explores the surprising depth of that command through the lens of Matthew 5 and Job 31. Far from demanding sinless perfection, Scripture paints a picture of wholeness, maturity, and integrity in both our actions and hearts. Below is the Scripture-based content and reflection presented during Wake County CLS on July 18, 2025.
Matthew 5
Christ Came to Fulfill the Law
18 Truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished …
20 I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
Anger
21 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’
22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.
Lust
27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’
28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
Oaths
33 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.’
34 But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God,
35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.
36 And do not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black.
37 Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.
Retaliation
38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’
39 But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.
40 And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well.
42 Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.
Love Your Enemies
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.
47 And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?
48 You therefore must be perfect*, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
The word “perfect” here is téleios. It’s the same Greek word used in the Septuagint for Hebrew terms like tamim, often translated as “blameless.”
Psalm 15:2 — He who walks blamelessly (tamim) and does what is right and speaks truth in his heart.
“Perfect” (téleios) means complete, whole, entire, or mature. It describes someone who acts rightly outwardly and is rightly aligned inwardly. This is not sinless perfection but rather integrity across all areas of life. Noah and Job are both described this way in Genesis 6:9 and Job 1:1.
Job 31
Job’s Final Appeal
9 “If my heart has been enticed toward a woman, and I have lain in wait at my neighbor’s door, (Family)
10 then let my wife grind for another, and let others bow down on her.
13 “If I have rejected the cause of my manservant or my maidservant, when they brought a complaint against me, (Employer)
14 what then shall I do when God rises up? When he makes inquiry, what shall I answer him?
15 Did not he who made me in the womb make him? And did not one fashion us in the womb?
16 “If I have withheld anything that the poor desired, or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail, (The Poor and Vulnerable)
17 or have eaten my morsel alone, and the fatherless has not eaten of it
18 (for from my youth the fatherless grew up with me as with a father, and from my mother’s womb I guided the widow),
19 if I have seen anyone perish for lack of clothing, or the needy without covering,
20 if his body has not blessed me, and if he was not warmed with the fleece of my sheep,
21 if I have raised my hand against the fatherless, (Justice to orphans) because I saw my help in the gate (court),
22 then let my shoulder blade fall from my shoulder, and let my arm be broken from its socket.
23 For I was in terror of calamity from God, and I could not have faced his majesty.
24 “If I have made gold my trust or called fine gold my confidence, (Greed)
25 if I have rejoiced because my wealth was abundant or because my hand had found much,
26 if I have looked at the sun when it shone, or the moon moving in splendor, (Idolatry)
27 and my heart has been secretly enticed, and my mouth has kissed my hand,
28 this also would be an iniquity to be punished by the judges, for I would have been false to God above.
29 “If I have rejoiced at the ruin of him who hated me, (Enemies) or exulted when evil overtook him
30 (I have not let my mouth sin by asking for his life with a curse),
31 if the men of my tent have not said, ‘Who is there that has not been filled with his meat?’
32 (the sojourner has not lodged in the street; (Travelers) I have opened my doors to the traveler),
35 Oh, that I had one to hear me! (Here is my signature! Let the Almighty answer me!) Oh, that I had the indictment written by my adversary!
36 Surely I would carry it on my shoulder; I would bind it on me as a crown;
37 I would give him an account of all my steps; like a prince I would approach him.
