Brief Summary

In this study I have tried to analyse the basic factors underlying the ethics of Matthew and Paul, to show how these relate to one another and to their theological views more generally, and to compare their perspectives. Focusing on motivational considerations has proved to be a useful way of getting at the underlying structure of their ethical thought. We have found that though there is a fundamental difference of perspective between the two, the contrast is not as simple as it appears at first sight; and I have accordingly attempted to give it more careful expression than it commonly receives, with attention being given to implicit as well as explicit elements.

Generally speaking, the various aspects of the two writers' ethics fit together into coherent wholes, and are clearly integrated with their total theological perspectives. Matthew's emphases on the related themes of obedience, righteousness and judgement reflect a moral system based on law as the fundamental premiss of life – though the primary focus has now shifted to the teachings of Jesus as Lord; the essential orientation in any case is one of submission to authority. The structure of Paul's ethics is much more complex; but the core of it is clearly rooted in the central theological conviction of God's grace in Christ, which dominates Paul's whole view of life. Eschatological existence in the Spirit is for him both a result of and response to that grace.