The phrase "Salt of the earth" is found in the Bible, specifically in the Gospel of Matthew 5:13. In the context of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus uses this metaphor to convey a deeper spiritual meaning to His followers.
Salt of the Earth Bible Passage
“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet.” Matthew 5:13
Salt is used as a preservative to save meat and food from spoiling, as Jesus saves our souls from sin, death and the evil one. Christians are called to be the "salt of the earth" to preserve the good, true, and beautiful elements of humanity as God created us, following His commandments and loving each other as God loves us.
'Salt of the Earth' Meaning
According to Dictionary.com, salt of the earth means “an individual or group considered as representative of the best or noblest elements of society.”
In ancient times, salt had various uses, including as a preservative, a seasoning, and a purifying agent. When Jesus says, "You are the salt of the earth," he is likely emphasizing the positive impact and influence that his followers should have on the world. Here are a few possible interpretations:
Preservative Influence: Salt was used to preserve food from decay. Similarly, Jesus may be encouraging his followers to act as a preserving influence on the world, counteracting moral decay and corruption.
Seasoning and Flavor: Salt adds flavor to food. In the same way, Christians are called to bring a positive and enriching influence to the world, making it a better place.
Purification: Salt was also used for purification purposes. Jesus might be suggesting that his followers should strive to bring moral purity and righteousness to the world.
In essence, the metaphor suggests that believers should bring positive, transformative, and preserving influences to the world, making it a better place through their actions, attitudes, and values. It underscores the idea that followers of Jesus should be a source of positive change and impact in the societies they inhabit.
Bible Commentary on Matthew 5
"You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:13-16
John Gill's Exposition of the Bible on Matthew 5:13: “You are the salt of the earth”
This is to be understood of the disciples and apostles of Christ, who might be compared to "salt" because of the savory doctrines they preached, as all such are, which are agreeable to the Scriptures, and are of the evangelic kind, which is full of Christ, serve to exalt him, and to magnify the grace of God, and are suitable to the experiences of the saints, and are according to godliness, and tend to promote it.
Also, because of their savory lives and conversations, whereby they recommended and gave sanction to the doctrines they preached, were examples to the saints, and checks upon wicked men. These were the salt "of the earth"; that is, of the earth's inhabitants, not of the land of Judea only, where they first lived and preached, but of the whole world, into which they were afterward sent to preach the Gospel.
Matthew Henry Bible Commentary on Matthew 5:13-16
Ye are the salt of the earth. Mankind, lying in ignorance and wickedness, were as a vast heap, ready to putrify, but Christ sent forth his disciples, by their lives and doctrines, to season it with knowledge and grace. If they are not such as they should be, they are as salt that has lost its savor. If a man can take up the profession of Christ and yet remain graceless, no other doctrine, no other means, can make him profitable.
Our light must shine by doing such good works as men may see. What is between God and our souls must be kept to ourselves; but that which is of itself open to the sight of men, we must study to make suitable to our profession and praiseworthy. We must aim at the glory of God.
Why Did Jesus Say 'You are the Salt of the Earth'?
Salt is a unique substance that plays a vital role in our life and health on Earth. However, excessive consumption of salt can be dangerous and even deadly. This mineral is present in our blood, sweat, and tears. Its significance in human civilization can be traced back to ancient times.
Jesus, during His memorable Sermon on the Mount, declared that believers were the "salt of the earth" and advised that it was possible for them to lose their flavor. If believers lost their "flavor," they would be of no benefit to others. They would then only be deserving of being "thrown out and trampled upon by men" (Matthew 5:13).
In the past, salt was commonly used to prevent the decay of meat and other foods, making them edible for a longer time. Similarly, Christians who follow God's will serve as a preservative for humanity and the planet by slowing down the moral and spiritual decay present in the world around them.
Christians, as the salt of the earth Jesus spoke about, need to live as pure a life as possible so that they can maximize their ability to "flavor" or bless others through their good works. When true believers mix into themselves things like false doctrines, they lose their purity and their originally intended goal. This will eventually lead to them becoming worthless and hollow (see Mark 7:7-9)
Bible Verses about Salt
Colossians 4:6 - Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.
Mark 9:50 - Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its saltiness, how will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.”
Leviticus 2:13 - You shall season all your grain offerings with salt. You shall not let the salt of the covenant with your God be missing from your grain offering; with all your offerings you shall offer salt.
Luke 14:34-35 - “Salt is good, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is of no use either for the soil or for the manure pile. It is thrown away. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”
Numbers 18:19 - All the holy contributions that the people of Israel present to the Lord I give to you, and to your sons and daughters with you, as a perpetual due. It is a covenant of salt forever before the Lord for you and for your offspring with you.”
Mark 9:49 - For everyone will be salted with fire.
Genesis 19:26 - But Lot's wife, behind him, looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.
2 Kings 2:20-22 - He said, “Bring me a new bowl, and put salt in it.” So they brought it to him. Then he went to the spring of water and threw salt in it and said, “Thus says the Lord, I have healed this water; from now on neither death nor miscarriage shall come from it.” So the water has been healed to this day, according to the word that Elisha spoke.
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