'The rich young ruler ' confusion .

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.
Ahwatukee

Ahwatukee

Senior Member
#21
Mar 12, 2015
11,159
2,373
113
#21
throughfaith said:
Does Jesus mean what he says here ?
18¶And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?

19¶And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God.

20Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother.

21¶And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up.

22¶Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.

23¶And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich.


Using the observation method of
1) Who?
2) When?
3) Where ?
4 ) what?
5) why?

What do these verses say?
We here a lot about what these verses ' teach ' ,infer , assume , and imply . Many, many theologians and commentators teach what these verses are supposed to teach and imply . But is this done at the cost of what it actually says ?
Can Jesus really mean what he says here ?
What say you ?
Click to expand...
Good day, Throughfaith!

Many have been confused about this verse. I'll paraphrase what Jesus is saying:

Why do you call Me good? None is good, save one, that is, God. Therefore, since you are calling Me good, then realize who I am.

At first glance it would appear that Jesus is denying His divinity. However, He is doing just the opposite and is proclaiming to be God.
 
T

throughfaith

Well-known member
#23
Aug 4, 2020
10,467
1,593
113
#23
Ahwatukee said:
Good day, Throughfaith!

Many have been confused about this verse. I'll paraphrase what Jesus is saying:

Why do you call Me good? None is good, save one, that is, God. Therefore, since you are calling Me good, then realize who I am.

At first glance it would appear that Jesus is denying His divinity. However, He is doing just the opposite and is proclaiming to be God.
Click to expand...
Yes but he is saying what is true .
 
Nehemiah6

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
#24
Jul 18, 2017
24,503
12,955
113
#24
John146 said:
And yet, this is not to us today.
Click to expand...
Why not? All those who love their wealth more that eternal life are in the same boat as this young man. The lesson in this narrative is eternal. The love of money is the root of all evil, and covetousness is indeed idolatry. Also, pastor-elders are reminded over and over again that they must not be in the ministry for filthy lucre's sake. Yet we find many on radio and television who have become obscenely wealthy on the backs of poor Christians.

When preachers are making millions while ordinary Christians are barely surviving, there is a serious need to apply the lesson of the Rich Young Ruler. People in general are told that they cannot serve God and Mammon (money) at one and the same time. And that is exactly what is illustrated in this story.
 
J

John146

Senior Member
#25
Jan 13, 2016
16,665
3,541
113
#25
Nehemiah6 said:
Why not? All those who love their wealth more that eternal life are in the same boat as this young man. The lesson in this narrative is eternal. The love of money is the root of all evil, and covetousness is indeed idolatry. Also, pastor-elders are reminded over and over again that they must not be in the ministry for filthy lucre's sake. Yet we find many on radio and television who have become obscenely wealthy on the backs of poor Christians.

When preachers are making millions while ordinary Christians are barely surviving, there is a serious need to apply the lesson of the Rich Young Ruler. People in general are told that they cannot serve God and Mammon (money) at one and the same time. And that is exactly what is illustrated in this story.
Click to expand...
What did the Lord have you part with when you got saved? Were you asked to sell everything? I wasn't asked to part with anything or do anything, just believe the gospel of Jesus Christ.
 
Nehemiah6

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
#26
Jul 18, 2017
24,503
12,955
113
#26
throughfaith said:
What's wrong with what Jesus really says ?
Click to expand...
There's nothing "wrong" with what Christ says. But Jesus made many enigmatic statements which must be properly interpreted and understood. When He asked this young man "Why are you calling me good?" what Jesus was really saying is "I am not merely good, I am God". Therefore He told unbelieving Jews that if they did not believe that He was I AM (God) they would die in their sins.

So the first thing that this young man needed to do to obtain the GIFT of eternal life was to wholeheartedly believe that Jesus is very God. Christ was correcting this man every step of the way, since He also knew that deep down the Rich Young Ruler would not abandon his wealth for eternal life.
 
Ahwatukee

Ahwatukee

Senior Member
#27
Mar 12, 2015
11,159
2,373
113
#27
throughfaith said:
Yes but he is saying what is true .
Click to expand...
Yes, by saying 'there is none good but God,' that was true. The reason He said it was that since God alone is good and the man called Jesus good, was to recognize that He was indeed speaking to God. In other words, 'get your story straight.'
 
Nehemiah6

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
#28
Jul 18, 2017
24,503
12,955
113
#28
John146 said:
What did the Lord have you part with when you got saved? Were you asked to sell everything? I wasn't asked to part with anything or do anything, just believe the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Click to expand...
What does repentance mean if not a total conversion (Acts 3:19)? That in itself means turning away from all sins and idolatry, and turning to Christ for salvation. This mans idol was his wealth. Your idol may have been something else. When the sorcerers in Ephesus (Acts 19:19) were saved they literally burned their expensive books on witchcraft to show that they were done with their old life.
 
T

throughfaith

Well-known member
#29
Aug 4, 2020
10,467
1,593
113
#29
Nehemiah6 said:
Why not? All those who love their wealth more that eternal life are in the same boat as this young man. The lesson in this narrative is eternal. The love of money is the root of all evil, and covetousness is indeed idolatry. Also, pastor-elders are reminded over and over again that they must not be in the ministry for filthy lucre's sake. Yet we find many on radio and television who have become obscenely wealthy on the backs of poor Christians.

When preachers are making millions while ordinary Christians are barely surviving, there is a serious need to apply the lesson of the Rich Young Ruler. People in general are told that they cannot serve God and Mammon (money) at one and the same time. And that is exactly what is illustrated in this story.
Click to expand...
There's nothing in the text that its a lesson ?
 
T

throughfaith

Well-known member
#30
Aug 4, 2020
10,467
1,593
113
#30
Nehemiah6 said:
What does repentance mean if not a total conversion (Acts 3:19)? That in itself means turning away from all sins and idolatry, and turning to Christ for salvation. This mans idol was his wealth. Your idol may have been something else. When the sorcerers in Ephesus (Acts 19:19) were saved they literally burned their expensive books on witchcraft to show that they were done with their old life.
Click to expand...
Acts 3 is not a salvation message, general . Its specific to Israel .
 
J

John146

Senior Member
#31
Jan 13, 2016
16,665
3,541
113
#31
Nehemiah6 said:
What does repentance mean if not a total conversion (Acts 3:19)? That in itself means turning away from all sins and idolatry, and turning to Christ for salvation. This mans idol was his wealth. Your idol may have been something else. When the sorcerers in Ephesus (Acts 19:19) were saved they literally burned their expensive books on witchcraft to show that they were done with their old life.
Click to expand...
Repentance is not a physical act, but a change of mind.

Acts 20:21 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
 
J

John146

Senior Member
#32
Jan 13, 2016
16,665
3,541
113
#32
Nehemiah6 said:
What does repentance mean if not a total conversion (Acts 3:19)? That in itself means turning away from all sins and idolatry, and turning to Christ for salvation. This mans idol was his wealth. Your idol may have been something else. When the sorcerers in Ephesus (Acts 19:19) were saved they literally burned their expensive books on witchcraft to show that they were done with their old life.
Click to expand...
Does the Lord demand that we stop sinning to be saved?
 
T

throughfaith

Well-known member
#33
Aug 4, 2020
10,467
1,593
113
#33
Nehemiah6 said:
There's nothing "wrong" with what Christ says. But Jesus made many enigmatic statements which must be properly interpreted and understood. When He asked this young man "Why are you calling me good?" what Jesus was really saying is "I am not merely good, I am God". Therefore He told unbelieving Jews that if they did not believe that He was I AM (God) they would die in their sins.

So the first thing that this young man needed to do to obtain the GIFT of eternal life was to wholeheartedly believe that Jesus is very God. Christ was correcting this man every step of the way, since He also knew that deep down the Rich Young Ruler would not abandon his wealth for eternal life.
Click to expand...
Does Jesus say that if he keeps the commandments, sells all he will inherit eternal life ? That seems to be what he said . Especially if I were him I would have believed that . After all he never said " believe in the cross " or ' Repent , be baptised and you will receive the Holy spirit "
Or Romans 10,9 even ?
 
T

throughfaith

Well-known member
#34
Aug 4, 2020
10,467
1,593
113
#34
let's look at the same account in Matthew.
16¶And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?

17¶And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.

18¶He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,

19Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

20¶The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?

21¶Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.

22¶But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.
 
T

throughfaith

Well-known member
#35
Aug 4, 2020
10,467
1,593
113
#35
Ahwatukee said:
Good day, Throughfaith!

Many have been confused about this verse. I'll paraphrase what Jesus is saying:

Why do you call Me good? None is good, save one, that is, God. Therefore, since you are calling Me good, then realize who I am.

At first glance it would appear that Jesus is denying His divinity. However, He is doing just the opposite and is proclaiming to be God.
Click to expand...
Yeah thats not the bit in question . Its more the requirement Jesus gives in order to inherit eternal life . Its certainly not the Gospel we preach.
 
Ahwatukee

Ahwatukee

Senior Member
#36
Mar 12, 2015
11,159
2,373
113
#36
throughfaith said:
Yeah thats not the bit in question . Its more the requirement Jesus gives in order to inherit eternal life . Its certainly not the Gospel we preach.
Click to expand...
As Nehemiah mentioned, Jesus is the One who searches the hearts and minds. As proof of this you will remember the event where Jesus asked the Samaritan woman for a drink. He told her to: "go and get your husband. She said I have no husband. And Jesus said, "you are correct in saying that you have no husband. In fact you have had five husbands. And the man that you are with now is not your husband. What you have said is quite true."

I demonstrated this to show that Jesus new people hearts. Now that said, compare what Jesus said to the rich young ruler with Zacchaeus. Jesus told the rich young ruler to go and sell all that He had and give to the poor and you will have treasures in heaven. But the man went away very said, because he was very wealthy. Zacchaeus in the other hand, when Jesus came to have dinner at his house, Zacchaeus said, "Look Lord! From now on I give half of all I own and if I have wronged anyone, I will repay it fourfold." And did Jesus say, 'sorry Zacchaeus, that's not good enough! Your gonna have to sell your house and all that you own in order to be My disciple?"

The reference to sell all that you own, is akin to when Jesus said, "unless you love less than Me your father and mother, sister and brother, wife and children, lands, houses and even your own life, you are not worthy of me. It just so happened that He tested that young rich ruler on this and he failed the test.
 
T

throughfaith

Well-known member
#37
Aug 4, 2020
10,467
1,593
113
#37
Ahwatukee said:
As Nehemiah mentioned, Jesus is the One who searches the hearts and minds. As proof of this you will remember the event where Jesus asked the Samaritan woman for a drink. He told her to: "go and get your husband. She said I have no husband. And Jesus said, "you are correct in saying that you have no husband. In fact you have had five husbands. And the man that you are with now is not your husband. What you have said is quite true."

I demonstrated this to show that Jesus new people hearts. Now that said, compare what Jesus said to the rich young ruler with Zacchaeus. Jesus told the rich young ruler to go and sell all that He had and give to the poor and you will have treasures in heaven. But the man went away very said, because he was very wealthy. Zacchaeus in the other hand, when Jesus came to have dinner at his house, Zacchaeus said, "Look Lord! From now on I give half of all I own and if I have wronged anyone, I will repay it fourfold." And did Jesus say, 'sorry Zacchaeus, that's not good enough! Your gonna have to sell your house and all that you own in order to be My disciple?"

The reference to sell all that you own, is akin to when Jesus said, "unless you love less than Me your father and mother, sister and brother, wife and children, lands, houses and even your own life, you are not worthy of me. It just so happened that He tested that young rich ruler on this and he failed the test.
Click to expand...
Each time we see Jesus reading people's hearts ,minds ect we are left in no doubt , because the text more or less says this is the case . Just like the examples you gave. This is not the case with the young ruler . As the verses stand, there is nothing wrong with what Jesus says . Under the law .
 
Ahwatukee

Ahwatukee

Senior Member
#38
Mar 12, 2015
11,159
2,373
113
#38
throughfaith said:
Each time we see Jesus reading people's hearts ,minds ect we are left in no doubt , because the text more or less says this is the case . Just like the examples you gave. This is not the case with the young ruler . As the verses stand, there is nothing wrong with what Jesus says . Under the law .
Click to expand...
Oh, but it is indeed the case! Jesus specifically told the rich young ruler that because He knew his heart. He didn't say that to Zacchaeus did He?
 
T

throughfaith

Well-known member
#40
Aug 4, 2020
10,467
1,593
113
#40
Same here in luke 10
25¶And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?

26¶He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?

27¶And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.

28¶And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.