Matthew 5:16

“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…”

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven--As nobody lights a lamp only to cover it up, but places it so conspicuously as to give light to all who need light, so Christians, being the light of the world, instead of hiding their light, are so to hold it forth before men that they may see what a life the disciples of Christ lead, and seeing this, may glorify their Father for so redeeming, transforming, and ennobling earth's sinful children, and opening to themselves the way to like redemption and transformation.”

“Let your light so shine ... - Let your holy life, your pure conversation, and your faithful instructions, be everywhere seen and known. Always, in all societies, in all business, at home and abroad, in prosperity and adversity, let it be seen that you are real Christians. That they may see your good works - The proper motive to influence us is not simply that we may be seen (compare Matthew 6:1), but it should be that our heavenly Father may be glorified. The Pharisees acted to be seen of men, true Christians act to glorify God, and care little what people may think of them, except as by their conduct others may he brought to honor God, yet they should so live that people may see from their…”

“That they may see - and glorify - That is, that seeing your good works, they may be moved to love and serve God likewise. Matthew 5:17”

“5:16 praise your heavenly Father: Religious hypocrites seek praise for themselves; Jesus’ disciples should seek praise for God (see 1 Pet 2:12).”

“your light: Pro 4:18; Isa 58:8, Isa 60:1-3; Rom 13:11-14; Eph 5:8; Phi 2:15, Phi 2:16; Th1 2:12, Th1 5:6-8; Pe1 2:9; Jo1 1:5-7 that: Mat 6:1-5, Mat 6:16, Mat 23:5; Act 9:36; Eph 2:10; Ti1 2:10, Ti1 5:10, Ti1 5:25, Ti1 6:18; Tit 2:7, Tit 2:14, Tit 3:4, Tit 3:7, Tit 3:8, Tit 3:14; Heb 10:24; Pe1 2:12, Pe1 3:1, Pe1 3:16 and: Isa 61:3; Joh 15:8; Co1 14:25; Co2 9:13; Gal 1:24; Th2 1:10-12; Pe1 2:12, Pe1 4:11, Pe1 4:14 your Father: Mat 5:45, Mat 6:9, Mat 23:9; Luk 11:2 Matthew 5:17”