What does Luke 6:46 mean?

Explanation

Luke 6:46 is a rhetorical question posed by Jesus to His listeners, challenging the authenticity of their discipleship.

In this verse, Jesus is questioning the consistency between the actions and the declared allegiance of His followers.

The term "Lord" denotes someone who has authority or mastery over others, and by addressing Jesus as "Lord," the individuals are acknowledging His authority.

However, Jesus points out a discrepancy, a failure to follow His teachings, despite recognizing Him as their authority figure.

Thus, the deeper meaning of the text invites self-examination of one's true commitment to the teachings of Jesus and the implications of genuinely accepting Him as Lord.

Historical Context

The verse is found in the Gospel of Luke which is part of the New Testament.

The Gospel of Luke is believed to have been written by Luke, a companion of the Apostle Paul, and is thought to date to around 60-90 AD.

Typically, the audience of Luke's Gospel was primarily Gentile (non-Jewish) Christians.

At the time, there was a cultural and religious tension between Jewish traditions and the new Christian faith.

This verse is part of the larger collection of teachings by Jesus, often referred to as the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew, and the Sermon on the Plain in Luke, where Jesus is clarifying what it means to live out the values of God's kingdom.

Theological Insights

This verse is often discussed in terms of "cheap grace" versus "costly grace," a concept made famous by theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer.

"Cheap grace" is the grace that requires no following, no obedience, no change – Grace without discipleship.

"Costly grace," in contrast, is the grace that comes with the cost of discipleship and transformation of life.

From a theological standpoint, this verse emphasizes the necessity for believers to not just profess faith in Jesus verbally, but to live out their faith through their actions.

Practical Applications

The teachings of this verse can be practically applied in various ways.

It challenges individuals to reflect on whether their actions align with their spoken beliefs.

It encourages an active and consistent faith life that goes beyond lip service to a genuine embodiment of Jesus' teachings.

It can serve as a basis to remind that one should strive for integrity and authenticity in their spiritual journey.

Cross-References

• Matthew 7:21: "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven."
• James 1:22: "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves."
• Matthew 21:28-31: The parable of the two sons, where one son says he will go work in the vineyard but does not, and the other son says he will not work but later changes his mind and does.

Language Study

The key words in the original Greek text for Luke 6:46 are "Lord" (κύριος, kyrios) which denotes someone who has supreme authority or power, and "do" (ποιέω, poieō) which is a term used to indicate the act of making, creating, acting or practicing.

This language study emphasizes that the term "Lord" is one of profound respect and submission, indicating that the actions (or the lack thereof) of the listeners should match their acknowledgement of Jesus' authority.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In comparing this verse with other ancient religious interpretations, one can look at the Jewish concept of "Shema" (Deuteronomy 6:4-5) which emphasizes not only hearing God's commandments but also acting upon them.

In other religious traditions like Hinduism and Buddhism, there are similar teachings that highlight the importance of aligning one's actions with one's beliefs, such as the concept of karma and the Noble Eightfold Path, respectively.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific perspective, the verse touches on psychological congruence, where one's actions are congruent with one's self-image and beliefs.

This verse may resonate with cognitive dissonance theory, a concept in social psychology that suggests that inconsistent thoughts, beliefs, or attitudes, particularly relating to behavioral decisions and attitude change, can create psychological tension.

Commentaries

Various commentaries may offer insights into Luke 6:46.

For instance, the Matthew Henry Commentary emphasizes the importance of applying what one learns from Christ to avoid the folly of a foolish builder who built his house on the sand.

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges suggests that the heart must be right with God, and mere lip service is insufficient.

Contemporary biblical scholars might focus on the societal and ecclesiastical implications of this message, urging modern Christians to reflect on whether church practices truly reflect the teachings of Jesus.