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Read the Bible

King James Version

Matthew 5:16

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Agency;   Blindness;   Commandments;   Conscience;   Glorifying God;   Influence;   Instruction;   Light;   Readings, Select;   Religion;   Righteous;   Works;   Zeal, Religious;   Scofield Reference Index - Parables;   Rewards;   Thompson Chain Reference - Christianity;   Glorify God;   Glorifying God;   God;   Good;   Results Demanded;   Work, Religious;   Work-Workers, Religious;   Works;   Works, Good;   The Topic Concordance - Disciples/apostles;   Glory;   Light;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Adoption;   Candlestick;   Conduct, Christian;   Glorifying God;   Hypocrites;   Missionaries, All Christians Should Be as;   Works, Good;  

Dictionaries:

- Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Dress;   Ethics;   Glory;   Good works;   Justice;   Lamp;   Light;   Matthew, gospel of;   Peter;   Son of god;   World;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Christians, Names of;   Fatherhood of God;   Light;   Praise;   Charles Buck Theological Dictionary - Glory;   Hutchinsonians;   Knowledge of God (1);   Love, Brotherly;   Means of Grace;   Obedience;   Order;   Profession;   Quakers;   Reconciliation;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Light;   Man;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Candlestick;   Church;   Meat;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Lamps, Lighting, Lampstand;   Matthew, the Gospel of;   Sermon on the Mount;   Works;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Christianity;   Election;   Ethics;   Light;   Mss;   Peter, First Epistle of;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Acceptance;   Authority in Religion;   Candle;   Candlestick;   Cellar;   Children;   Children of God, Sons of God;   Consciousness;   Divorce (2);   Evil-Speaking;   Example;   Heaven ;   Ideas (Leading);   Light;   Man (2);   Oaths;   Omnipresence;   Perfection (Human);   Popularity;   Presence (2);   Prophet;   Redemption (2);   Righteous, Righteousness;   Sanctify, Sanctification;   Soul;   Trinity (2);   Winter ;   Worldliness (2);   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Father;   Wilson's Dictionary of Bible Types - Light;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Candlestick, the Golden;   Glorify;   Good;   Sermon on the Mount, the;   Shine;   Tabernacle;   The Jewish Encyclopedia - Imma Shalom;  

Devotionals:

- Chip Shots from the Ruff of Life - Devotion for June 15;   Daily Light on the Daily Path - Devotion for September 14;  

Parallel Translations

Easy-to-Read Version
In the same way, you should be a light for other people. Live so that they will see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven.
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
Let youre light so shyne before men yt they maye se youre good workes and glorify youre father which is in heven.
International Standard Version
In the same way, let your light shine before people in such a way that they will see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."John 15:8; 1 Corinthians 14:25; 1 Peter 2:12;">[xr]
New American Standard Bible
"Your light must shine before people in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
New Century Version
In the same way, you should be a light for other people. Live so that they will see the good things you do and will praise your Father in heaven.
Update Bible Version
Even so let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
Webster's Bible Translation
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
Amplified Bible
"Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good deeds and moral excellence, and [recognize and honor and] glorify your Father who is in heaven.
English Standard Version
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
World English Bible
Even so, let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
Weymouth's New Testament
Just so let your light shine before all men, in order that they may see your holy lives and may give glory to your Father who is in Heaven.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
So schyne youre liyt befor men, that thei se youre goode werkis, and glorifie youre fadir that is in heuenes.
English Revised Version
Even so let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Berean Standard Bible
In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Contemporary English Version
Make your light shine, so that others will see the good that you do and will praise your Father in heaven.
American Standard Version
Even so let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
Bible in Basic English
Even so let your light be shining before men, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
Complete Jewish Bible
In the same way, let your light shine before people, so that they may see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven.
Darby Translation
Let your light thus shine before men, so that they may see your upright works, and glorify your Father who is in the heavens.
Etheridge Translation
So let your light shine before the sons of men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
Murdock Translation
Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and may glorify your Father who is in heaven.
King James Version (1611)
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good workes, and glorifie your father which is in heauen.
New Living Translation
In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.
New Life Bible
Let your light shine in front of men. Then they will see the good things you do and will honor your Father Who is in heaven.
New Revised Standard
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
Geneva Bible (1587)
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good workes, and glorifie your Father which is in heauen.
George Lamsa Translation
Let your light thus shine before men, so that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
In like manner, let your light shine before men, - that they may see your good works, - and glorify your Father who is in the heavens.
Douay-Rheims Bible
So let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
Revised Standard Version
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
Let your lyght so shyne before men, that they may see your good workes, and glorifie your father, whiche is in heauen.
Good News Translation
In the same way your light must shine before people, so that they will see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven.
Christian Standard Bible®
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
Hebrew Names Version
Even so, let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
Lexham English Bible
In the same way let your light shine before people, so that they can see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
Literal Translation
So let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works, and may glorify your Father in Heaven.
Young's Literal Translation
so let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and may glorify your Father who [is] in the heavens.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Let youre light so shyne before men, that they maye se youre good workes, and glorify youre father which is in heauen.
Mace New Testament (1729)
even so let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your father who is in heaven.
New English Translation
In the same way, let your light shine before people, so that they can see your good deeds and give honor to your Father in heaven.
New King James Version
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
Simplified Cowboy Version
Just like that, let your lanterns shine bright before men, so they can see all the good things you do and bow their heads in thanks to the Boss.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
"Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
Legacy Standard Bible
Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

Contextual Overview

13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. 14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

your light: Proverbs 4:18, Isaiah 58:8, Isaiah 60:1-3, Romans 13:11-14, Ephesians 5:8, Philippians 2:15, Philippians 2:16, 1 Thessalonians 2:12, 1 Thessalonians 5:6-8, 1 Peter 2:9, 1 John 1:5-7

that: Matthew 6:1-5, Matthew 6:16, Matthew 23:5, Acts 9:36, Ephesians 2:10, 1 Timothy 2:10, 1 Timothy 5:10, 1 Timothy 5:25, 1 Timothy 6:18, Titus 2:7, Titus 2:14, Titus 3:4, Titus 3:7, Titus 3:8, Titus 3:14, Hebrews 10:24, 1 Peter 2:12, 1 Peter 3:1, 1 Peter 3:16

and: Isaiah 61:3, John 15:8, 1 Corinthians 14:25, 2 Corinthians 9:13, Galatians 1:24, 2 Thessalonians 1:10-12, 1 Peter 2:12, 1 Peter 4:11, 1 Peter 4:14

your Father: Matthew 5:45, Matthew 6:9, Matthew 23:9, Luke 11:2

Reciprocal: Genesis 22:12 - now Genesis 39:3 - saw that Exodus 34:35 - General Leviticus 24:2 - the lamps Deuteronomy 2:4 - take ye 1 Samuel 25:28 - evil hath 1 Samuel 29:6 - thou hast 2 Samuel 19:11 - Why are 2 Kings 4:9 - this is Psalms 45:13 - clothing Psalms 50:15 - glorify Isaiah 62:1 - the righteousness Zechariah 7:5 - did Matthew 5:48 - even Matthew 18:14 - your Matthew 25:1 - which Luke 8:16 - when Luke 11:13 - heavenly Luke 11:33 - may see Luke 12:35 - your lights Romans 1:7 - God 1 Corinthians 6:20 - God 2 Corinthians 8:21 - not Ephesians 4:29 - minister Philippians 1:11 - are 1 Timothy 4:15 - that Titus 2:10 - adorn Philemon 1:6 - the acknowledging Revelation 1:20 - and the

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Let your light so shine before men,.... Here Christ applies the foregoing simile to his disciples, and more fully opens the meaning and design of it. His sense is this; that the light of the Gospel, which he had communicated to them, the spiritual knowledge of the mysteries of grace, which he had favoured them with, were to be openly declared, and made manifest before men. Light was not given merely for their own private use, but for the public good of mankind; and therefore, as they were placed as lights in the world, they were to hold forth, in the most open and conspicuous manner, the word of light and life:

that they may see your good works: meaning their zeal and fervency; their plainness and openness; their sincerity, faithfulness, and integrity; their courage and intrepidity; their diligence, industry, and indefatigableness in preaching the Gospel; their strict regard to truth, the honour of Christ, and the good of souls; as also their very great care and concern to recommend the doctrines of grace, by their example in their lives and conversations:

and glorify your Father which is in heaven; that is, that when the ministration of the Gospel has been blessed, for the illumination of the minds of men, to a thorough conviction of their state; and for their regeneration, conversion, sanctification, and comfort; they may give praise to God, and bless his name for qualifying and sending such Gospel ministers to show unto them the way of salvation; and that the word has been made useful to them for communicating spiritual light, life, joy, and comfort, אבינו שבשמים, "Our and your Father which is in heaven", is a name, appellation, or periphrasis of God, frequently used by Jewish writers s; and is often expressed by Christ in these his sermons on the mount.

s Vid. Misn. Sota, c. 9. sect. 15. & Yoma, c. 8. sect. 9.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Let your light so shine ... - Let your holy life, your pure conversation, and your faithful instructions, be everywhere seen and known. Always, in all societies, in all business, at home and abroad, in prosperity and adversity, let it be seen that you are real Christians.

That they may see your good works - The proper motive to influence us is not simply that we may be seen (compare Matthew 6:1), but it should be that our heavenly Father may be glorified. The Pharisees acted to be seen of men, true Christians act to glorify God, and care little what people may think of them, except as by their conduct others may he brought to honor God, yet they should so live that people may see from their conduct what is the proper nature of their religion.

Glorify your Father - Praise, or honor God, or be led to worship him. Seeing in your lives the excellency of religion, and the power and purity of the gospel, they may be won to be Christians also, and give praise and glory to God for his mercy to a lost world.

We learn here:

1.That religion, if it exists, cannot be concealed.

2.That where it is not manifest in the life, it does not exist.

3.That “professors” of religion, who live like other people, give evidence that they have never been truly converted.

4.That to attempt to conceal or hide our Christian knowledge or experience is to betray our trust, injure the cause of piety, and to render our lives useless. And,

5.That good actions will be seen, and will lead people to honor God. If we have no other way of doing good - if we are poor, and unlearned, and unknown yet we may do good by our lives. No sincere and humble Christian lives in vain. The feeblest light at midnight is of use.

“How far the little candle throws his beams!

So shines a good deed in a naughty world!”



Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Matthew 5:16. Let your light so shine — Or more literally, Thus let your light shine, ουτω λαμψατω το φως. As the sun is lighted up in the firmament of heaven to diffuse its light and heat freely to every inhabitant of the earth; and as the lamp is not set under the bushel, but placed upon the lamp-stand that it may give light to all in the house; THUS let every follower of Christ, and especially every preacher of the Gospel, diffuse the light of heavenly knowledge, and the warmth of Divine love through the whole circle of their acquaintance.

That they may see your good works — It is not sufficient to have light - we must walk in the light, and by the light. Our whole conduct should be a perpetual comment on the doctrine we have received, and a constant exemplification of its power and truth.

And glorify your Father — The following curious saying is found in Bammidbar Rabba, s. 15. "The Israelites said to the holy blessed God, Thou commandest us to light lamps to thee; and yet thou art the, Light of the world, and with thee the light dwelleth. The holy blessed God answered, I do not command this because I need light; but that you may reflect light upon me, as I have illuminated you: - that the people may say, Behold, how the Israelites illustrate him, who illuminates them in the sight of the whole earth." See more in Schoettgen. Real Christians are the children of God - they are partakers of his holy and happy nature: they should ever be concerned for their Father's honour, and endeavour so to recommend him, and his salvation, that others may be prevailed on to come to the light, and walk in it. Then God is said to be glorified, when the glorious power of his grace is manifested in the salvation of men.


 
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