Matthew 7:5

Matthew 7:5 is the fifth verse of the seventh chapter of the Gospel of Matthew in the New Testament and is part of the Sermon on the Mount. This verse continues the discussion of judgmentalism.

In the King James Version of the Bible the text reads:

Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye;

and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.

The World English Bible translates the passage as:

You hypocrite! First remove the beam out of your own eye,

and then you can see clearly to remove the speck out of your brother’s eye.

For a collection of other versions see https://www.bible.com/bible/116/mat.7.5

This verse continues the metaphor of a person with a plank in their own eye who criticizes someone for a speck in their own eye. In this verse Jesus argues that one must first remove the plank before going on to remove the speck. This verse makes clear that Jesus is not condemning mutual aid among his followers. If a problem is perceived with another, there is no harm in trying to aid the other person to rid themselves of it. Such aid should only be given, however, once one's own much larger problems are dealt with. Only then will you be able to truly see the actual problem with the other person, and be free to aid them. The verse is also clear that even while the plank is the major concern, the speck must also be dealt with. Perfection is the goal.^[1]

However, this seems to run counter the earlier verses condemning judgment, as it is only through judgment that one could become aware of others' flaws. Hill thus argues that this verse is meant ironically. It is impossible for one to ever completely clear away their own flaws, and thus the opportunity to begin judging others will never arise. Hill sees this statement as in the same spirit as the famous "He who is without sin" teaching of John 8:7.^[2]

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