Pearls Before Swine

I was asked for an explanation of Matthew 7:6

Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.  (NKJV)

Some say that this is one of the toughest scriptures to understand because it has no equivalence elsewhere in the New Testament. However, scripture reveals scripture, and to get an understanding of this, we have to study another scripture which I have yet to seen preached or taught as it is written

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NKJV)
16  All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,
17  that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Since I have taught extensively on this, I will list out the point I need to highlight.

1.    All Scripture is given by inspiration of God

1.1.    We all agree on this.

2.    It is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,

2.1.    No problems so far.

3.    that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work

3.1.    This is where most Christians miss the boat.

3.2.    Notice that the is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness only for the “man of God”,  the born again believer, the saved soul, the brother/sister in Christ and NOT the ungodly unrepentant sinner.

This is the flavor of Jesus’ discourse in Matthew 7:6.

Jesus uses ‘pearls’ as a metaphor to describe what has been entrusted to us. Pearl (Heb. gabish). The Hebrew word in Job 28:18 probably means “crystal.” Pearls, however are frequently mentioned in the New Testament, Matt 13:45; 1 Tim 2:9; Rev 17:4; 21:21 and were considered by the ancients among the most precious of gems, and were highly esteemed as ornaments. The kingdom of heaven is compared to a “pearl of great price.” In Matt 7:6 pearls are used metaphorically for anything of value, or perhaps more especially for “wise sayings.”  I personally believe that in context, Jesus is talking about the Gospel.

Jesus says that we should not entrust holy teachings to unholy or unclean people. It is futile to try to teach holy concepts to people who don’t want to listen and will only tear apart what we say. We should not stop giving God’s Word to unbelievers, but we should be wise and discerning in our witnessing, so that we will not be wasting our time. Let me explain further.

Pearls

General scriptures

• Job 28:18
• Rev 17:4
• Rev 18:12
• Rev 18:16

“Pearl of great price,”

• Mat 13:46

Ornaments made of

• 1Ti 2:9

Figurative

• Mat 7:6

Literal

• Rev 21:21

Pearls in the Bible are symbolic of something of very great and precious value. Jesus once told a parable using a pearl. He said, “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it” (Matthew 13:45-46). I believe that this ‘parable of the pearl’ is meant to illustrate that those who truly belong to His kingdom seek out the truths of His kingdom; and who value those truths greatly as that which will lead them to eternal blessings.

Before speaking this parable to them, Jesus’ disciples asked Him why He spoke in parables to the people of the world. Those parables, it seemed, only confused those who didn’t believe in Him. And He said to them, “Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. And in them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says [here quoting from Isaiah 6:9-10]; ‘Hearing you will hear and shall not understand, and seeing you will see and not perceive; for the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, so that I should heal them.’ But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear; for assuredly, I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it” (Matthew 13:11-17).

Did you notice what was given to the disciples? It had been given to them “to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven.” Such knowledge is not a product of human study. It’s ultimately a privileged gift of God’s grace. And so, I believe that the “pearl of great price” in Jesus’ parable is meant to be understood in the light of the “mysteries of the kingdom of heaven” that it has been our privilege to be granted to know. And in that light, isn’t it interesting that one of the features of the New Jerusalem that we’re shown in the book of The Revelation is that the twelve gates to the city – gates through which one must pass to enter in – are made of twelve enormous pearls (Rev. 21:12, 21)?

Dogs

Used figuratively of nine classes:

1. Homosexuals (Dt. 23:18)
2. Anyone despised (1Sam. 17:43; 24:14; 2Sam. 9:8; 16:9; 2Ki. 8:13)
3. Satanic powers (Ps. 22:20)
4. Wicked men (Ps. 22:16; 59:6,14)
5. False prophets (Isa. 56:10; Php. 3:2)
6. Deceived people (Mt. 7:6; Rev. 22:15)
7. Fools (Prov. 26:11)
8. Gentiles (Mt. 15:26-27; Mk. 7:27-28)
9. Backsliders (2Pet. 2:20-22)

In this scripture Jesus uses dogs and swine as metaphors to describe  the character of those who scorn the things of Christ.

There are two Greek words translated “dogs” in the New Testament. One (kunarion) refers to a household pet – such as the “little dogs” that are permitted to eat the children’s bread crumbs that fall from the table (Matthew 15:26). But that’s not the word Jesus uses in this morning’s verse. The kind of dog He speaks of here (kuõn) would not be the kind you would let anywhere near the table of little children! This speaks of the kind of wild, mean, “junk-yard” kind of dog that ran around in packs and growled when you approached it.

A dog of this kind was used as a metaphor for an utterly despicable person (Deuteronomy 23:17-18; 2 Kings 8:3); someone who is utterly reprobate. Revelation speaks of our heavenly home, and says, “But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever love and practices a lie” (Rev. 22:15).

This kind of dog was also used to describe those who were viciously opposed to God’s call for holy living, and who made themselves the enemies of God’s people. The psalms speak of them as if they were gathered together in hostile packs against the godly: “The dogs have surrounded Me; the congregation of the wicked has enclosed Me . . .” (Psalm 22:16); “At evening they return, the growl like a dog, and go all around the city” (Psalm 59:6). Even the apostle Paul used this word to describe those who proved to be dangerous opponents to the ministry of the gospel. He told the Philippian believers, “Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation!” (Phil. 3:2).

Swine

Used figuratively of three classes:

1. Indiscreet women (Prov. 11:22)
2. Deceived people (Mt. 7:6)
3. Backsliders (2Pet. 2:20-22)

Swine were at best but half-tamed, the hog being an unclean animal. Small pearls, called by jewellers seed-pearls, would resemble the pease or maize on which the swine feed. They would rush upon them when scattered, and, discovering the cheat, would trample upon them and turn their tusks upon the man who scattered them.

Conclusion

Keeping an eye on 2 Timothy 3:16-17 and on the explanation I have given, we see that the Word of God applied in that manner is NOT profitable to the unrepentant unbeliever.

To use that which they do not even acknowledge for instruction in righteousness, for doctrine, for reproof or for correction will only cause the offended unbeliever to turn on you.

1 Corinthians 1:18 (NKJV)  For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

That concludes the explanation of Matthew 7:6, but since this is being posted in an open forum, for the sake of the uninitiated reader, it is only proper that I conclude with the explanation of the nature of the usage of the scripture for the lost.

1 Peter 1:23 (NKJV)  having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever

So here we see that it is the Scripture that saves you.

What we need to understand is that there is a fundamental difference in the application of scripture.

The apostle Paul states in Romans 1:16 (NKJV)  that “the gospel of Christ … is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.”

The great commission Jesus has given us is:

Matthew 28:18-20 (NKJV) 18  And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19  Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20  teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

In both cases, notice that the word used is Gospel. The word means to “to bring or announce good news.”

In 1 Corinthians 15:1-8, the apostle Paul summarizes the most basic ingredients of the gospel message, namely, the death, burial, resurrection, and appearances of the resurrected Christ. Note the four clauses introduced by that in bold type in verses 3-5 below:

15:1 Now I want to make clear for you, brothers and sisters, the gospel that I preached to you, that you received and on which you stand, 15:2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold firmly to the message I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. 15:3 For I passed on to you as of first importance what I also received—that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, 15:4 and that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day according to the scriptures, 15:5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve…

This is the Good News, and it ends with the bold statement that “Jesus is Alive”. If Jesus is alive, then what then is the visible manifestation of His life? It is the power of God to them that believe. As a believer in Christ, you are to witness the result of the resurrection power of Christ, the Living Word of God, to the unbeliever by testifying of the scripture which “changed” or “touched” you; which prove beyond a shadow of doubt to you that Jesus indeed is alive.

This in effect is what the disciples said in the fifth chapter of acts when they boldly said to the Sanhedrin that “Jesus is alive, we are His witnesses, and so is the Holy Spirit”

Acts 5:32 (NKJV)  And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.”

When you offer up your testimonials of the validity of the scripture to attest that the news indeed is Good, the Holy Spirit then goes to work in the life of the hearer, witnessing himself, taking the logos that you just preached, and bringing life to it, making it a rhema in the life of the unconverted, thereby converting the soul.

The scriptures can be from

• the Torah, for Psalm 19:7 specifies that  the “Torah” (towrah) of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul,
• or the Prophets – 2 Peter 1:21 (NKJV)  for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.
• or the writings which include the PsalmsLuke 24:44 (NKJV)  Then He said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.”
• The New Testament Galatians 5:1-5 (NKJV) ¹  Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. ²  Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. ³  And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. ⁴  You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. ⁵  For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.

The key here is to be lead by the Holy Spirit in the application of the Scripture. To the unbeliever, the application would be save, and to the believer, the same scripture is applied to build up. Conviction is needed in both cases, but this is not from human persuasion, but by the Holy Spirit. John 16:8 (NKJV)  And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:

Seriously, when looking at it from the point of those who are lost in the world enjoying sin, deceived by its tantalizing lure, what is the good news in hearing doctrine, being reproved and corrected? Who really cares for instruction in righteousness and considers that the “Gospel”?  Even to those who are poor, sick and needy, this is no good news. They are dead in their sins

1 Peter 4:6 (NKJV)  For this reason the gospel was preached also to those who are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.

Jesus did not come to make bad men good, but dead men alive.

It is when you are alive in Christ, and the very sin that you see in you abhors you to the core, that you will enjoy scripture as applied in 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NKJV)
16  All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,
17  that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Matt 6:7 does also address deeper spiritual principles of not revealing the things heard from God to the ungodly, but that too run parallel but just deeper.

So in short, Jesus said to not give pearls to swine. Spare yourself the tragedy.