The BEMA Podcast: Episode 447 - "Talmudic Matthew — Wages"

Hosted by: BEMA Discipleship
Released on: April 24, 2025

Introduction

In Episode 447 of The BEMA Podcast, hosts L. Grover Fricks and Brent Billings delve into the intricate concept of rewards—or wages—as taught by Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew. This episode, titled "Talmudic Matthew — Wages," explores the biblical context, Jewish literature, and Greco-Roman cultural influences to unpack the multifaceted understanding of divine rewards.

1. Opening Remarks and Episode Outline

00:00 - 00:59

The episode commences with a light-hearted exchange between Fricks and Billings, highlighting the extensive research undertaken for this discussion. They outline the episode’s structure:

1. Reading of the Selected Verses: Matthew 6:1-4 (NIV).
2. Identifying Personal Challenges: Examining their own "problems" with the passage.
3. Biblical Contextualization: Delving deeper into related scriptures.
4. Jewish Literature Exploration: Investigating Talmudic perspectives.
5. Greco-Roman Cultural Insights: Understanding external influences on biblical texts.

Notable Quote:
Brent Billings humorously remarks on the difficulty of reading the King James Version (KJV), saying, “I mean, we can quibble. We're going to break this whole passage apart, so we'll see what happens.” [00:26]

2. Reading and Initial Interpretation of Matthew 6:1-4

00:59 - 02:20

Brent reads Matthew 6:1-4 from the NIV, which emphasizes the importance of performing righteous acts in secret to receive rewards from the Father in heaven, rather than seeking public recognition.

Notable Quote:
Fricks emphasizes the repetitive mention of "reward" in the passage, saying, “Reward, reward, reward. Or if you're in a different translation, wage, wage, wage.” [02:08]

Challenges Identified:

• Theological Implications: Concerns about associating rewards with righteousness, potentially leading to prosperity gospel distortions.
• Afterlife Concerns: Questions about the nature and fairness of eternal rewards, reminiscent of doctrines like those in Mormonism.
• Present vs. Future Rewards: Ambiguity about whether rewards are received in the present life or solely in the afterlife.

3. Exploring "Reward" and "Wage" in the New Testament

07:52 - 14:31

Fricks and Billings investigate the Greek term misthos (reward/wage) as it appears in the New Testament. They reference several passages:

• Romans 4: Abraham’s faith is accounted as righteousness; misthos is a due, not a gift.
• 1 Corinthians 3: Each will receive misthos based on their labor.
• 1 Timothy 5: Laborers deserve their misthos.
• 2 John 1: The faithful are to win a full misthos.
• Revelation 22: Jesus will bring His misthos to repay everyone.

Notable Quote:
Fricks articulates the central issue, stating, “We have an issue with reward and wages in the world to come in heaven, in the afterlife. And we also probably have limited interest in reward on earth.” [04:04]

4. Talmudic Perspectives on Wages and Rewards

15:37 - 25:33

The discussion shifts to Jewish Rabbinic literature, examining how the Hebrew term sakar (wage/reward) is understood within the Torah and Talmud.

Key Insights:

• Immediate Compensation: In biblical society, wages were expected promptly. Delaying payment was deemed theft.

  “The wages of a laborer shall not remain with you until morning.” [Leviticus 19:13] [15:37]

• Divine Patronage: God is portrayed as a fair employer who ensures timely rewards.

• Separation of Jewish and Gentile Rewards: A Talmudic story illustrates that righteous Jews receive greater rewards in the future, while Gentiles receive smaller rewards in the present world.

Notable Quote:
Fricks highlights the immediate nature of divine rewards, “God is a good patron, a good employer, a good head of household. So God doesn't withhold his wages for them.” [17:03]

Challenges Highlighted:

• Cultural Differences: Modern Western aversions to self-oriented rewards contrast with biblical and Talmudic norms.
• Ambiguity in Reward Timing: Questions remain about whether rewards are primarily future, present, or both.

5. Greco-Roman Cultural Influences on Biblical Texts

31:10 - 37:43

The hosts explore how Greco-Roman values, particularly those of Aristotle and Cicero, have influenced Christian perceptions of duty, virtue, and compensation.

Key Points:

• Aristotle’s Cynicism: Aristotle viewed the pursuit of wages for good deeds as unnatural and morally corrupting. His elitist views on slavery and social hierarchy colored his philosophy on labor and rewards.

  “Some are marked out for subjection and others for rule.” [36:18]

• Cicero’s Advocacy for Duty: Cicero argued that public service should be motivated by duty and virtue, not by personal profit. This ethos discourages the pursuit of financial rewards in roles of public trust.

Notable Quote:
Fricks contemplates the historical roots, “Maybe some of our ideas about reward from God maybe came from these pagan Greco Romans who were talking about wages in a context where they had immense wealth and slaves.” [36:25]

6. Integrating Perspectives and Theological Implications

38:25 - 46:55

Brent and Fricks synthesize insights from biblical texts, Talmudic literature, and Greco-Roman philosophy to address contemporary theological dilemmas surrounding divine rewards.

Discussion Highlights:

• Jesus’ Teachings vs. Early Church Practices: While Jesus discourages seeking earthly recognition for righteous acts, historical practices like synagogue inscriptions indicate that early Christians did honor their benefactors publicly.

• Cultural Imprint on Theology: The conflation of Jewish and Greco-Roman perspectives has led to complex and sometimes conflicting views on divine rewards.

• Modern Application: The hosts caution against adopting prosperity gospel narratives, emphasizing the need for humility and a redefined understanding of God’s generosity.

Notable Quotes:
Fricks challenges modern perceptions, “If we're imagining God distantly snorting at us down here on our earthly abode while he floats somewhere out in the stratosphere, rolling his eyes at us, being worried about our circumstances because he knows how irrelevant they are in the light of the glory of eternity.” [41:00]
Brent reflects on the complexity, “It's convicting and I think there's no simple answer to it.” [44:21]

7. Conclusion and Ongoing Dialogue

46:37 - 47:52

As the episode concludes, Fricks and Billings acknowledge the unresolved nature of the discussion, inviting listeners to engage in ongoing conversations and study groups. They emphasize the importance of community and humility in grappling with theological complexities.

Final Thoughts:

• Continued Exploration: The hosts encourage listeners to explore the provided resources, including Greg Gardner’s Wealth, Poverty, and Charity in Jewish Antiquity.

• Invitation to Dialogue: They welcome questions and participation in future Q&A sessions to further unravel the intricate topic of divine rewards.

Notable Quote:
Brent summarizes the journey, “We are doing our best, but thank you for sharing all those resources. Thank you for walking us through those passages.” [47:40]

Key Takeaways

• Complexity of Divine Rewards: The concept of rewards or wages in biblical texts is multifaceted, influenced by Jewish law and Greco-Roman philosophy.

• Present vs. Future Rewards: There is ongoing debate about whether divine rewards are received in this life, the afterlife, or both.

• Cultural Influences: Modern Christian understandings may be inadvertently shaped by historical cultural norms that conflict with biblical teachings.

• Theological Humility: Navigating these topics requires humility, community engagement, and a willingness to question and refine one’s understanding.

Resources Mentioned

• Book: Wealth, Poverty, and Charity in Jewish Antiquity by Dr. Greg Gardner.
• Transcript Reference: Leviticus 19:13, Romans 4, 1 Corinthians 3, 1 Timothy 5, 2 John 1, Revelation 22.
• Contact: For further questions, listeners can reach out via paige@bamaceptcept.com.

Closing Remarks

Brent and Fricks wrap up the episode by acknowledging the depth of the discussion and the importance of continued study and dialogue. They express gratitude to listeners for their engagement and invite them to join future episodes for more in-depth explorations of biblical contexts and doctrines.

Thank you for joining this detailed summary of Episode 447: "Talmudic Matthew — Wages" from The BEMA Podcast. For a deeper dive, consider listening to the full episode and exploring the recommended resources.