4. Reference to Publicans.--Observe that Matthew, who had been a publican, frankly records this reference (5:46, 47) to his despized class. Luke writes "sinners" instead of "publicans" (6:32-34). Of course, if the accounts of the two writers refer to separate addresses (see Note 1, above), both may be accurate. But we find Matthew's designation of himself as a publican in his list of the apostles (10:3) and the considerate omission of the unenviable title by the other evangelists (Mark 3:18; Luke 6:15). 5. Relative Perfection.--Our Lord's admonition to men to become perfect, even as the Father is perfect (Matt. 5:48) cannot rationally be construed otherwise than as implying the possibility of such achievement. Plainly, however, man cannot become perfect in mortality in the sense in which God is perfect as a supremely glorified Being. It is possible, though, for man to be perfect in his sphere in a sense analogous to that in which superior intelligences are perfect in their several spheres; yet the relative perfection of the lower is infinitely inferior to that of the higher. A college student in his freshman or sophomore year may be perfect as freshman or sophomore; his record may possibly be a hundred per cent on the scale of efficiency and achievement; yet the honors of the upper classman are beyond him, and the attainment of graduation is to him remote, but of assured possibility, if he do but continue faithful and devoted to the end. FOOTNOTES: [515] Matt. chaps. 5, 6, 7; Luke 6:20-49. See also the version of the Sermon as delivered by Jesus Christ after His resurrection, to the Nephites on the western continent; B. of M., 3 Nephi, chaps. 12, 13, 14. See also chapter 39 herein. [516] Note 1, end of chapter. [517] Matt. 4:23-25; read these verses in connection with 5:1; see also Luke 6:17-19. [518] Note 1, end of chapter. [519] Matt. 5:3-12; compare Luke 6:20-26; and B. of M., 3 Nephi 12:1-12. [520] Matt. 5:11,12; compare Luke 6:26; B. of M., 3 Nephi 12:11,12. [521] Note 2, end of chapter. [522] Doc. and Cov. 93:33. [523] Matt. 5:13-20; compare Luke 14:34-35; B. of M., 3 Nephi 12:13-20. [524] Lev. 2:13; compare Ezra 6:9; Ezek. 43:24. [525] Note the expression "covenant of salt," indicating the covenant between Jehovah and Israel, Lev. 2:13; Numb. 18:19; compare 2 Chron. 13:5. [526] Note 3, end of chapter. [527] Matt. 5:21-48; Luke 6:27-36; compare B. of M., 3 Nephi 12:21-48. [528] Exo. 21:23-25; Lev. 24:17-22; Deut. 19:21. [529] Compare Lev. 19:18; Deut. 23:6; and Psa. 41:10. [530] Compare the lesson taught in the Parable of the Tares, Matt. 13:24-30. [531] Note 4, end of chapter; see also pages 193 and 201. [532] Note 5, end of chapter. [533] Matt. 6:1-18; compare Luke 11:2-4; B. of M., 3 Nephi 13:1-18. [534] Consider the incident of the gifts of the rich and the widow's mite, Mark 12:41-44; Luke 21:1-4. [535] Page 18. [536] Exo. 16:16-21.