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SUBJECT: "By
Their Fruits You Shall Know Them"
(Matthew 7:15-20)
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QUESTIONS:
1]
What does this phrase mean?
2] What is Matthew 7:15-20 about?
3] What does "fruit" mean?
4] Who is "them"?
ANSWER:
I was prompted to write this Bible study after visiting a Church of
God chat room which is open to members of multiple COG organizations.
The subject of Matthew 7 and this phrase became a topic of discussion.
I explained both the verse and the phrase but was then greeted with a
number of contrary opinions as to the meaning of, "By
their fruits you shall know them." Most believed that
you can know people by their actions, including good works and sin.
If the person shows good works, they conclude he or she is in the faith
and if they sin or have a life laced in sinful behavior, they must be
evil. However, we are about to see overwhelming proof the meaning
is somewhat different.
Let us begin by reading the entire passage:
Matthew 7:15-20
15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but
inwardly they are ravening wolves.
16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns,
or figs of thistles?
17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree
bringeth forth evil fruit.
18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree
bring forth good fruit.
19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast
into the fire.
20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
First of all...
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Question |
Answer/Conclusion |
| 1]
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In verse 20, it says we shall know
them. Who are
"them"? |
True and false prophets (by
extension, ministers).
Notice a commentary:
Matthew 7:15
[False prophets] The word
prophet originally means one who foretells future events. As
prophets, however, were commonly regarded as public instructors
on the subject of religion, the word came to denote all who were
religious teachers.
(from Barnes' Notes)
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| 2]
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What is the primary function of
ministers? |
Preaching and teaching the Word of
God.
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| 3]
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What does the word, "fruit"
mean in this passage? |
First and foremost, it means "doctrine".
That is, what the minister teaches and preaches. A good
minister is in "close adherence"
to scripture. An evil or false minister is not. He
preaches false doctrine and things contrary to God.
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| 4]
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Could "fruit" also mean actions and
behavior? |
Only to a minor degree as we will
soon see.
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| 5] |
Could "fruit" mean "sin"? |
No. This passage is about
identifying both true and false ministers, that is, knowing the
difference. "Fruit" cannot have a primary meaning of sin
as both true and false ministers sin and are subject to sin.
Clearly, false preaching is sin, but this fact is a given.
We are not looking for a false minister to sin, we are focused
on what he is preaching and teaching...false doctrines.
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| 6] |
How do we know this to be true, that
"fruit" cannot mean sin? |
The proof is contained in verses 17
and 18. A good tree brings forth good fruit. A bad
tree brings forth bad fruit. A good tree cannot bring
forth bad fruit and a bad tree cannot bring forth good fruit.
Can a good minister sin? Of course he can.
Can a good minister demonstrate bad or offensive behavior?
Yes.
Can a false minister demonstrate good or righteous behavior?
Yes
If the primary meaning of "fruit" was sin or good and bad
behavior, verses 17-18 would not make any sense. The
primary meaning of "fruit" as true or false doctrine fits
perfectly.
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| 7]
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What other indication do we have to
show the meaning of "fruit" is not sin and/or bad behavior? |
This is found in verse 15 and the
mention of "sheep's clothing". This is a clear indication
of deception on the part of the false minister. He appears
righteous and pleasing to the unsuspecting member.
Therefore, by definition, we cannot claim to say we can always
identify a false minister based solely on observed behavior. |
Behavior vs. Doctrine & Scripture
Which is the purer science, verifying the behavior or the doctrine of
the false minister? Which identification is faster? Fact is,
behavior can be used to deceive. However, one cannot truly fake
doctrine. Doctrine is either true or false. If one is
immersed in the Word of God, he or she can readily know false doctrine
when they see or hear it.
What do the commentaries and other Bible helps tell us?
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Reference |
Commentary/Explanation |
| Wycliffe Bible Commentary |
Matt 7:15-20
By their fruits. The doctrines produced by these false prophets,
rather than the works they perform, since outward appearances
may not cause suspicion. The test of
the prophet is his conformity to Scripture (1 Cor
14:37; Deut 13:1-5). -end quote-(emphasis mine)
1 Corinthians 14:37
37 If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let
him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the
commandments of the Lord.
Deuteronomy 13:1-5
13:1 If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams,
and giveth thee a sign or a wonder,
2 And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto
thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not
known, and let us serve them;
3 Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that
dreamer of dreams: for the LORD your God proveth you, to know
whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with
all your soul.
4 Ye shall walk after the LORD your God, and fear him, and keep
his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him,
and cleave unto him.
5 And that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams, shall be put to
death; because he hath spoken to turn you away from the LORD
your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt, and
redeemed you out of the house of bondage, to thrust thee out of
the way which the LORD thy God commanded thee to walk in. So
shalt thou put the evil away from the midst of thee.
Clearly speaking to the words of the prophet, not his actions or
behavior.
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| Nelson's new illustrated Bible commentary |
7:15–20
Beware of false prophets:
Deuteronomy 13:1–11; 18:20–22 provide information on discerning
and responding to false prophets. The way to tell false teachers
from teachers of truth is by their
fruits. Fruits
here refers to more than their deeds; it
includes their doctrine (16:12; 1 John 4:1–3).
A person speaking in the name of God is to
be tested by the doctrines of Scripture. The same
principle still holds true today. Speakers and teachers should
be tested against the truths in God’s Word (Jude 3; Rev. 22:18,
19). -end quote-(emphasis mine)
This commentary is massively clear: Ministers
are to be tested and verified by SCRIPTURE.
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| Believer's Bible Commentary |
7:16–18 Verses 16–18 deal
with the detection of the false prophets:
you will know them by their fruits.
Their licentious lives and destructive teachings betray them. A
tree or plant produces fruit
according to its character.
Thornbushes cannot bear
grapes;
thistles do
not bear figs.
A good tree
bears good fruit
and a bad tree
bears bad fruit.
This principle is true in the natural world and in the spiritual
world. The life and teaching of those
who claim to speak for God should be tested by the Word of God:
“If they do not speak according to this word, it is because
there is no light in them” (Isaiah 8:20).
--end quote--(emphasis mine)
Using scripture as the indicator trumps observed behavior.
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| KJV Bible Commentary |
16–20.
A true test of a prophet was the
conformity of his doctrine to that of the Scripture
(cf. 1 Corinthians 14:37; Deuteronomy 13:1–5).
Their fruits not only refer to
actions of their lives, for these men are very, very sheepish,
but to the doctrines which they
proclaim. Having warned us against falsely judging
others, Jesus now must remind us to beware and know such people.
We are to be discerning enough not to be taken in by their
cleverness. --end quote--(emphasis mine)
Another verification we are talking about doctrine
and scripture as the chief test.
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| Matthew Henry's Commentary |
False apostles are those who
say they are apostles, and are not
(Revelation 2:2); such are false
prophets. "Take heed of those who
pretend to revelation, and admit them not without sufficient
proof, lest that one absurdity being admitted, a thousand
follow.’’ --end quote--
Clearly the sufficient proof comes from comparing
their teaching to scripture.
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| Nelson's illustrated Manners & Customs of the
Bible |
Jesus often used agricultural
symbols in His teaching. He described a sower scattering his
seed (Mark 4:1–20) and laborers who answered a call to work in a
vineyard (Matthew 20:1–16). He compared false prophets to trees
that bear bad fruit (Matt. 7:15–20) and warned that “every tree
is known by his own fruit” (Luke 6:43–44). Jesus promised to
give His followers “living water” from everlasting wells (John
4). He used seeds, vines, trees, fruit,
and other agricultural metaphors to express the truths of God.
--end quote-- (emphasis mine)
As this Bible help states, fruit is a metaphor to
express the truths of God, i.e., The Word of God.
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| KJV Bible Commentary |
The two
alternatives: Character established. 7:13–27.
The closing section of the Sermon on the
Mount presents two choices to the listener. These are presented
in a series of contrasts: two ways (vss. 13–14); two trees (vss.
15–20); two professions (vss. 21–23); and two foundations (vss.
24–29). This was a common method of teaching in both Jewish and
Greco-Roman thought.
15.
The warning of Beware
of false prophets fits
appropriately with the concept of the two ways.
Since many are being misled in the wrong way, it is
obvious that they are being misled by wrong ones.
False prophets were prevalent in the Old Testament,
whereas God’s true prophets were often in the
minority (as in Elijah’s confrontation with the
prophets of Baal). These appear in
sheep’s clothing
but are in reality
ravening wolves.
This is a perfect description
of those preachers who have denied or distorted the
truth of the gospel. They look like a
lamb but they act like a wolf. Their description is
similar to that of the great false prophet in
Revelation 13:11. --end quote--(emphasis
mine)
We see clearly here that false ministers use
deception by masking their heart and evil agenda by
demonstrating fruits of the Spirit--appearance of
light. The commentary states plainly that the
key is distorted truth of the gospel. If we
are immersed in the Word of God, we readily
recognize the distortion.
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The meaning is very clear:
1] These scriptures concern the identification of true and false
ministers.
2] This is accomplished, first and foremost, by testing what they teach
and preach.
3] Actions and Christian behavior can be used to deceive.
4] Despite the use of Slick Arguments, one cannot fake the Word of God.
Sheep's clothing
Let us go back to the Bible commentaries and focus on Sheep's clothing.
Those in opposition to the proof above will maintain that these
scriptures, in no way, are speaking to the doctrine or teachings of the
false minister. Rather, they argue that you identify them by their
behavior alone. What do the commentaries say?
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Reference |
Commentary/Explanation |
| The Key Verse |
Matthew 7:15
Beware of false prophets, which come to you in
sheep's clothing, but inwardly they
are ravening wolves.
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| Wycliffe Bible
Commentary |
Sheep's clothing is not to be regarded as prophets' grab, but is
an evident contrast to vicious wolves. God's people in all ages
have needed to beware of deceptive leaders (Deuteronomy 13:1; Acts
20:29; 1 John 4:1; Revelation 13:11-14). --end quote--
Now the scriptures made reference to:
Deuteronomy 13:1
13:1 If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams,
and giveth thee a sign or a wonder,
Acts 20:29
29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous
wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
1 John 4:1
4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits
whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone
out into the world.
Revelation 13:11-14
11 And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he
had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.
12 And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before
him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to
worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.
13 And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down
from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,
14 And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of
those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the
beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should
make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and
did live.
Besides behavior, these scriptures state that false individuals
will use lying wonders to fool you. Are miracles and
wonders absolute proof one is of God? OF COURSE NOT.
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| Barnes Notes
[commentary] |
Matthew 7:15
[Who come in sheep's clothing]
The sheep is an emblem of innocence, sincerity, and
harmlessness. To come in sheep's clothing is to assume the
appearance of sanctity and innocence, when the heart is evil.
--end quote--
Clearly behavior is being used as the element of deception.
Notice that nothing is said of the Word of God being used as an
element of deception.
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| Adam Clarke's
Commentary |
Matthew 7:15
[Beware of false prophets]
By false prophets we are to understand teachers of erroneous
doctrines, who come professing a commission from God, but whose
aim is not to bring the heavenly treasure to the people, but
rather to rob them of their earthly good. Teachers who preach
for hire, having no motive to enter into the ministry but to get
a living, as it is ominously called by some,
however they may bear the garb and
appearance of the innocent useful sheep,
the true pastors commissioned by the
Lord Jesus, or to whatever name, class, or party they
may belong, are, in the sight of the heart-searching God, no
other than ravenous wolves, whose design is to feed themselves
with the fat, and clothe themselves with the fleece and thus
ruin, instead of save, the flock. --end quote-- (emphasis mine)
They appear as innocent useful sheep - ministers of Jesus
Christ. They fool by behavior.
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| Believer's Bible
Commentary |
7:15 Wherever the stern
demands of true discipleship are taught, there are
false prophets
who advocate the wide gate and easy way. They water down the
truth until, as C. H. Spurgeon said, “There is not enough left
to make soup for a sick grasshopper.”
These men who profess to be speaking for God come in
sheep’s
clothing,
giving the appearance of being true believers.
--end
quote-- (emphasis mine)
This is the element they use to fool the firstfruits--behavior.
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| KJV Bible
Commentary |
These appear in
sheep’s clothing
but are in reality ravening wolves.
This is a perfect description of those preachers who have denied
or distorted the truth of the gospel.
--end quote--
They give "appearance" of sheep. Therefore,
how can this be the chief means of identification
when the commentary clearly states these false
ministers are distorting the truth?
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This makes it very clear that appearance, conduct, behavior and words
spoken in fellowship are not the best indicators of false ministers, as
this is the element they use to deceive. Again, the best element
in this case [identifying false ministers] is testing their doctrine
against the Word of God.
REBUTTAL
Now some might come forth with Proverbs 20:11 or similar scripture to
counter everything said so far. Notice the verse:
Proverbs 20:11
Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and
whether it be right.
Matthew 7:15-20 is speaking to the identification of a specific set of
individuals, true and false ministers. What is the chief "doing"
or action of the minister? Clearly it is his preaching and
doctrine.
God made this scripture specific for the simple fact all of the
congregation interacts with the ministry. That point of
interaction is teaching and doctrine. In fact, depending upon the
situation, the lion's share of contact the member has with the ministry
is the sermon and Bible study. This is why God give the specific
admonition to prove each minister based on his doctrine and preaching.
Jesus said much about false ministers:
Matthew 24:4-5
4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive
you.
5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive
many.
Matthew 24:11
11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
Matthew 24:24-25
24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall
shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they
shall deceive the very elect.
25 Behold, I have told you before.
All these verses are from Matthew 24 when Jesus was answering the
questions of what the end time would be like. What verses do we
see here of our fellow brother in the faith being false or even fallen
away? Except when a brother is openly sinning without repentance,
what are the chances of you even knowing the true nature of your brother or having
his negative character bringing you down? Far less than being
influenced by false doctrine to be sure. We see this clearly indicated in Jesus
prophecy of Matthew 24 and 25.
Matthew 24:40-41
40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other
left.
41 Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and
the other left.
Matthew 25:1-2
1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which
took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
This is clear indication that some of those fallen from the faith will be with
the faithful right up to the return of Christ. Notice the faithful
remaining faithful despite any possible influence of the fallen away.
Why? Because they stayed in the Salvation Process and allowed no
person to take their crown. Christ, knowing the situation, saw the
greatest threat not from a brother in the faith so much as false
ministers and those spreading false doctrines in the form of slick
arguments [spoken or in text].
So heed the words of Jesus and know the difference between true and
false ministers.
To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this
word, it is because there is no light in them. –Isaiah
8:20
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