SEV Biblia, Chapter 5:16
Así alumbre vuestra luz delante de los hombres, para que vean vuestras obras buenas, y glorifiquen a vuestro Padre que est en los cielos.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Matthew 5:16
Verse 16. Let your light so shine] Or more literally, Thus let your light shine, outw lamyatw to fwv. 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.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 16. Let your light so shine before men , etc.] 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, ymb wnyba , Our and your Father which is in heaven, is a name, appellation, or periphrasis of God, frequently used by Jewish writers f260 ; and is often expressed by Christ in these his sermons on the mount.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 13-16 - Ye are the salt of the earth. Mankind, lying in ignorance an wickedness, were as a vast heap, ready to putrify; but Christ sen forth his disciples, by their lives and doctrines to season it with knowledge and grace. If they are not such as they should be, they ar as salt that has lost its savour. If a man can take up the professio of Christ, and yet remain graceless, no other doctrine, no other means can make him profitable. Our light must shine, by doing such good work as men may see. What is between God and our souls, must be kept to ourselves; but that which is of itself open to the sight of men, we must study to make suitable to our profession, and praiseworthy. We must aim at the glory of God.
Greek Textus Receptus
ουτως 3779 ADV λαμψατω 2989 5657 V-AAM-3S το 3588 T-NSN φως 5457 N-NSN υμων 5216 P-2GP εμπροσθεν 1715 PREP των 3588 T-GPM ανθρωπων 444 N-GPM οπως 3704 ADV ιδωσιν 1492 5632 V-2AAS-3P υμων 5216 P-2GP τα 3588 T-APN καλα 2570 A-APN εργα 2041 N-APN και 2532 CONJ δοξασωσιν 1392 5661 V-AAS-3P τον 3588 T-ASM πατερα 3962 N-ASM υμων 5216 P-2GP τον 3588 T-ASM εν 1722 PREP τοις 3588 T-DPM ουρανοις 3772 N-DPM
Vincent's NT Word Studies
16. So shine (outwv). Often misconceived, as if the meaning were "Let your light shine in such a way that men may see," etc. Standing at the beginning of the sentence, it points back to the illustration just used. "So," even as that lamp just mentioned, let your light shine. Wycliffe has apparently caught this correct sense: So shine your light before men.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
5:16 {Even so} (houtws). The adverb points backward to the lamp-stand. Thus men are to let their light shine, not to glorify themselves, but "your Father in heaven." Light shines to see others by, not to call attention to itself.
