Matthew 25:35

“For I was an hungered and ye gave me meat. etc.] This, and the following, are not mentioned as causes of the kingdom being prepared for them, or of their being entitled to it, or of their being put into the possession of it; but as descriptive of their characters, and as testimonies and evidences of the grace of God in them; by which it appeared, that they were the blessed of his Father, having his special grace vouchsafed unto them; and that they were the children of God, to whom the inheritance of the kingdom belonged, and for whom it was prepared: for what was done by them in time, could never be the cause of what was done for them in eternity, or before, or from the foundation of the…”

“I was an hungered - The union between Christ and his people is the most tender and endearing of all connections. It is represented by the closest unions of which we have knowledge, John 15:4-6; Ephesians 5:23-32; 1 Corinthians 6:15. This is a union - not physical, but moral; a union of feelings, interests, plans, destiny; or, in other words, he and his people have similar feelings, love the same objects, share the same trials, and inherit the same blessedness, John 14:19; Revelation 3:5, Revelation 3:21; Romans 8:17. Hence, he considers favors shown to his people as shown to himself, and will reward them accordingly, Matthew 10:40, Matthew 10:42. They show attachment to him, and love to his…”

“I was hungry, and ye gave me meat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink - All these works of outward mercy suppose faith and love, and must needs he accompanied with works of spiritual mercy. But works of this kind the Judge could not mention in the same manner. He could not say, I was in error, and ye recalled me to the truth; I was in sin, and ye brought me to repentance. In prison - Prisoners need to be visited above all others, as they are commonly solitary and forsaken by the rest of the world. Matthew 25:37”

“25:35-36 The deeds described here, often called “deeds of mercy,” were acts of compassion shown to the helpless (see Isa 58:1-12; Ezek 18:7; Jas 1:26-27). These good deeds are not attempts to merit God’s favor; rather, they arise from a love for Christ that results in compassion toward others (see 6:1-4).”

“I was an: Mat 25:40, Mat 10:40-42, Mat 26:11; Deu 15:7-11; Job 29:13-16, Job 31:16-21; Psa 112:5-10; Pro 3:9, Pro 3:10, Pro 11:24, Pro 11:25, Pro 14:21, Pro 14:31, Pro 19:17, Pro 22:9; Ecc 11:1, Ecc 11:2; Isa 58:7-11; Eze 18:7, Eze 18:16; Dan 4:27; Mic 6:8; Mar 14:7; Luk 11:41, Luk 14:12-14; Joh 13:29; Act 4:32, Act 9:36-39, Act 10:31, Act 11:29; Co2 8:1-4, Co2 8:7-9, Co2 9:7-14; Eph 4:28; Ti1 6:17-19; Plm 1:7; Heb 6:10, Heb 13:16; Jam 1:27; Pe1 4:9, Pe1 4:10; Jo1 3:16-19 thirsty: Mat 25:42; Pro 25:21; Rom 12:20 I was a: Mat 25:43; Gen 18:2-8, Gen 19:1-3; Act 16:15; Rom 12:13, Rom 16:23; Ti1 5:10; Heb 13:1-3; Pe1 4:9; Jo3 1:5-8 Matthew 25:36”