Matthew 24:12

Context of Matthew 24:12

Matthew 24:12 is a pivotal verse within Jesus' extensive discourse on the signs of the end times, often referred to as the Olivet Discourse. In response to His disciples' questions about the destruction of the Temple and the signs of His coming and the end of the age, Jesus outlines various events that will precede these momentous occasions. This particular verse describes a moral and spiritual decline that will be a prominent characteristic of that period, emphasizing the impact of widespread wickedness on human relationships and faith.

Key Themes and Messages

• Abounding Iniquity (Lawlessness): The verse highlights a significant increase in "iniquity," which in the Greek is anomia (ἀνομία), meaning "lawlessness" or a disregard for divine and moral law. This is not just a general increase in sin, but a pervasive spirit of rebellion against established norms and God's commandments. This lawlessness is presented as a defining feature of the period leading up to Christ's return.
• Love Waxing Cold (Spiritual Apathy): The direct consequence of abounding lawlessness is that "the love of many shall wax cold." The Greek word for "wax cold" is psychēsetai (ψυγήσεται), implying a cooling or a fading of spiritual fervor, compassion, and charity. This cooling of love can manifest in various ways:
  • Love for God: A diminishing passion for God, His word, and His ways.
  • Love for Fellow Believers: A decline in the sacrificial and empathetic love that should characterize the Christian community (John 13:35).
  • Love for Humanity: A decrease in general compassion and concern for others, leading to indifference and selfishness.
  This spiritual apathy is a significant sign, indicating a widespread departure from the core tenets of faith.
• A Sign of the End Times: Jesus presents this moral and spiritual decay as a clear indicator of the approaching end. It suggests that as the world becomes increasingly lawless, the human heart, even among those who profess faith, will be susceptible to a loss of warmth and commitment to love.

Linguistic Insights

The term "iniquity" translates the Greek word anomia (ἀνομία), which fundamentally means "lawlessness" or "without law." It points to a state of rebellion against God's moral order, not merely isolated acts of sin but a pervasive spirit of defiance. The phrase "wax cold" comes from the Greek psychēsetai (ψυγήσεται), which literally means "to be chilled" or "to grow cold." This vivid imagery suggests a gradual but profound loss of warmth, passion, and vitality in the spiritual life, akin to a fire dying down.

Practical Application and Reflection

Matthew 24:12 serves as a powerful warning and a call to spiritual vigilance for believers today. In a world where lawlessness may seem to abound, it is crucial to guard against the chilling effect this can have on our own hearts and the hearts of others. This verse encourages us to:

• Maintain Fervent Love: Actively cultivate and preserve our love for God through worship, prayer, and obedience, and our love for others through acts of service, compassion, and forgiveness.
• Resist Apathy: Be aware of the subtle ways in which the world's indifference and moral decay can seep into our lives, and proactively combat spiritual apathy.
• Persevere in Faith: Recognize that these conditions are prophesied and should not cause despair, but rather reinforce the urgency of living faithfully. As the very next verse states, "He that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved."
• Live as Light: In times of increasing darkness and coldness, believers are called to shine brighter, demonstrating the enduring warmth of God's love to a world in need (see also 2 Timothy 3:1-5 for descriptions of perilous times).