Luke 6:49

But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.

But {G1161} he that heareth {G191}, and {G2532} doeth {G4160} not {G3361}, is {G2076} like {G3664} a man {G444} that without {G5565} a foundation {G2310} built {G3618} an house {G3614} upon {G1909} the earth {G1093}; against {G4366} which {G3739} the stream {G4215} did beat vehemently {G4366}, and {G2532} immediately {G2112} it fell {G4098}; and {G2532} the ruin {G4485} of that {G1565} house {G3614} was {G1096} great {G3173}.

And whoever hears my words but doesn't act on them is like someone who built his house on the ground without any foundation. As soon as the river struck it, it collapsed and that house became a horrendous wreck!"

But the one who hears My words and does not act on them is like a man who built his house on ground without a foundation. The torrent crashed against that house, and immediately it fell—and great was its destruction!”

But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that built a house upon the earth without a foundation; against which the stream brake, and straightway it fell in; and the ruin of that house was great.

Luke 6:49 concludes Jesus' powerful teaching on the nature of true discipleship, often referred to as the "Sermon on the Plain." This verse serves as a stark warning, contrasting sharply with the wise builder described in the preceding verses. It underscores the critical difference between merely hearing God's word and actively obeying it.

Context

This verse is the culmination of Jesus' teaching on building one's life. Following the Beatitudes, instructions on love for enemies, and warnings against hypocrisy, Jesus presents the parable of the two builders. Luke 6:47-48 describes the wise man who digs deep and lays a strong foundation, enduring the storm. Luke 6:49, by contrast, illustrates the fate of those who hear Jesus' words but fail to act on them, completing the parable with a dire warning about the consequences of spiritual neglect. This teaching is also paralleled in Matthew's Gospel, where it concludes the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 7:26-27).

Key Themes

  • The Imperative of Obedience: The central message is that true faith is demonstrated by action. Hearing alone is insufficient; it must be followed by obedience to Jesus' commands. This concept is vital for genuine Christian living.
  • The Danger of Superficiality: Building "without a foundation" speaks to a superficial commitment or a faith that lacks deep roots. Such a life appears stable in calm times but crumbles under pressure, revealing its inherent weakness.
  • The Inevitability of Testing: The "stream" beating "vehemently" symbolizes the trials, temptations, and adversities that inevitably come in life. These tests reveal the true strength of one's spiritual foundation.
  • The Severity of Consequences: The "great ruin" emphasizes the devastating and complete collapse that results from disobedience. It's not just a partial failure but a total destruction of what was built, highlighting the eternal implications of one's choices.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek phrase for "without a foundation" is chōris themeliou (χωρὶς θεμελίου), literally meaning "apart from a foundation." This highlights the deliberate choice or neglect to establish a deep, secure base. The word for "vehemently" (proserre̱xen - προσέρρηξεν) implies a violent, forceful impact, underscoring the severity of the trials that will expose a faulty spiritual structure. The contrast between building "upon the earth" (epi tēn gēn) and digging deep to bedrock (as in Luke 6:48) is crucial.

Practical Application

Luke 6:49 challenges believers to examine the foundation of their faith. It calls for more than just intellectual assent or passive listening; it demands active engagement with and submission to God's word. To avoid the "great ruin," one must diligently apply biblical principles to daily life, making choices that reflect Christ's teachings. This involves not only hearing what Jesus says but also being a doer of the word, and not a hearer only. Building on the solid rock of Christ's teachings ensures resilience when life's storms inevitably arrive, demonstrating a genuine and enduring faith.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • James 1:22

    But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

  • James 1:26

    If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion [is] vain.

  • Ezekiel 33:31

    And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee [as] my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, [but] their heart goeth after their covetousness.

  • Matthew 13:20

    But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;

  • Matthew 13:22

    He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.

  • Matthew 23:3

    All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, [that] observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.

  • 2 Peter 1:5

    ¶ And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;

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