“And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell”
(Matthew 10:28 NKJV)

fear God

Our Lord spoke these immortal words to His disciples before sending them on the “limited commission.” He told them to expect rejection, opposition, hatred, persecution, and even death.

Our internal alarm sounds whenever someone tells us not to be afraid, and even more so when the danger could prove fatal. This commission raises questions.

1. Why would Jesus send His disciples on a mission so fraught with danger? The answer is simple: they were sent to spread the good news to save lost souls. Their audiences were in danger of eternal hell. Jesus loved them and wanted to save as many as He could.
2. Why did Jesus downplay the consequences (some of these messengers could be killed)? Because even if the worst comes to them on earth (their death) the best will great them after death; they will be blessed beyond measure for eternity. Their opponents cannot kill their soul.
3. Why are they instructed to fear “Him” (God)? Because He can destroy both soul and body in hell.

The lessons in this passage are both universal and timeless.

1. The eternal blessings of the gospel are worth the suffering. See Philippians 1:28-30.
2. God knows our suffering. Not even a bird can fall to the ground without His knowledge (Mt. 10:29), and the hairs of our head are numbered (Mt. 10:30). God sees and God cares (1 Peter 5:7).
3. We must not fear worldly opponents. The harm they inflict is temporary and superficial. Do not be intimidated.
4. We must fear God, not people. God deserves our love, our respect, and our undying allegiance. Don’t let anything rob you of heaven.
5. Hell is real. Jesus spoke more about hell than anyone. In Matthew alone He warns of hell in Mt. 5:33, Mt.5:39, Mt. 5:40, Mt. 18:9, Mt. 23:15, Mt. 23:33, and in our present passage (Mt. 10:28).
6. Jesus warns that God is able to “destroy” soul and body in hell. Some assume (desire) that this refers to annihilation. Many who do not take God seriously are hoping that death will blot them out of existence. This view could not be more false or unscriptural. The word destroy simply does not mean annihilation. Lexicons consistently define this word as follows: “to devote or give over to eternal misery: Mt.10:28 . . . to incur the loss of true or eternal life; to be delivered up to eternal misery” (Thayer, p.64). The same word occurs in Matthew 10:6 – “But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” Is Jesus sending His disciples to people who are annihilated? …to people who have ceased to exist? No, they are in a lost state and will be separated from God for eternity unless they heed the saving word of the Lord. Annihilation is not even a possible translation of this word.
7. The conclusion is obvious: we must take the Lord’s warning seriously. Our eternal state depends upon our earthly response to the Lord’s invitation.

– Rick Duggin