law must be punished, either in the person of the sinner, or in that of his Surety. What is a Surety? One who makes himself answerable to do, or suffer something, on account of another. 18. What more did our Lord say about the law? "Verily, I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled." What is the meaning of the word "Verily"? Truly. When did our Lord adopt the form of speech, "Verily, I say unto you"? When he was about to utter something very important. What is the meaning of the phrase, "Till heaven and earth pass"? It is a proverbial saying, meaning that the thing will never happen. What gave rise to this proverb? An idea entertained by the Jews, that the universe would never perish. What did our Lord say should never pass from the law? "One jot, or one tittle." What are a jot and a tittle? A jot is the smallest Hebrew letter; and a tittle is a small stroke, forming part of a letter. What, then, is the meaning of this declaration, "one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled?" That the very smallest precept of the law is to be obeyed. Is our obedience so complete as to embrace every precept of God's law? No; in many things we offend all.* Who has ever fulfilled the whole law, without a fault? None but our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. 19. Of whom does our Lord speak in this verse? Of those who think lightly of what are called little sins. Are any sins little in the sight of God? No. Why * James iii. 2. so? Because there is the same spirit of disobedience in a small sin as in a great one. some sins accounted less than others? Why then are are less hurtful to our fellow-creatures, and not so dishonouring to God. teach others to break the How do some people least of God's com mandments? By their example; and by the way in which they talk of little sins. How do such persons talk of little sins? As if there were not much harm in them. What is said of such characters? "They shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven." What is here meant by the "The kingdom of heaven? The kingdom of Christ, i. e. his church. And what is meant by their being called "the least in the kingdom of heaven"? That they shall be of no esteem in the church. What opposite characters are mentioned in this verse? Such as "do and teach the commandments of God." And what is declared concerning them? same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven." What is the meaning of their being called "great in the kingdom of heaven"? That they shall be highly esteemed and greatly honoured in the church of Christ. 20. Who among the Jews made the highest pretensions to keeping the law? The Scribes and Pharisees. Who were the Scribes? See ii. 4. Who were the Pharisees? See iii. 7. How did the Scribes and Pharisees keep the law? They were very strict in observing its ceremonies; but neglected its moral precepts. Did the Jewish people think the Scribes and Pharisees very religious? Yes.* What did It was commonly said by the Jews, that if only two men were 66 our Lord say to his disciples, respecting them? Except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven." What is the meaning of our righteousness exceeding theirs? That our religion must be of a better kind than theirs; and that we must have more of it. What should be the effect of this declaration of our Lord? It should lead us to examine ourselves,* and see what kind of religion ours is. If we have no more religion than the Scribes and Pharisees, what will be the consequence? We shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. Are we, then, to expect heaven as the reward of our religion? No; heaven is a reward of grace, bestowed for Christ's sake; but we must have religion to fit us for it. 21. What begins at this verse? Our Saviour's explanation of the law. To whom was that law originally given? "To them of old time." Who are meant by "them of old time"? The ancient Israelites. Where did the Israelites receive the law? In the desert of Sinai.† From whom did they re ceive it? From Jehovah.‡ By whose hand was it given? The law was given by Moses. § Το which commandment of the law did our Lord here refer? To the sixth commandment. What is the sixth commandment? Thou shalt not kill. || to enter into the kingdom of heaven, one of them would be a Pharisee, and the other a Scribe. * 2 Cor. xiii. 5. + Exod. xix. 2. Exod. xx. 1. Exod. xx. 13. What was to be the consequence of a breach of this commandment? "Whosoever shall kill, shall be in danger of the judgment." What is meant by the judgment? The sentence pronounced in the common courts of justice.* What was the sentence of Whoso sheddeth God's law against the murderer? How far man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed.t Was murder punished with death by the Jews in our Lord's time? Yes; and it is so in all nations. 22. Did our Lord intend to alter the law of God, concerning murder? No; he rather showed how far the spirit of the law extended. How far can human laws reach? Only to outward actions. does the law of God reach? To the heart. Does murder begin in the act itself? No; every sin has its beginning in the purpose of the heart. How does murder take its rise in the heart? In being angry without a cause. What is the second stage in the progress towards murder? Using the language of contempt, as, "Raca." What does "Raca" mean? Vain, empty fellow. What is the third stage in the progress towards murder? Using the language of abuse, as, "Thou fool." Is all anger absolutely prohibited? No; not if it be directed against sin.‡ But is it not very difficult to be angry without sinning? It is difficult; but, by the aid of God's grace, not impossible. How can we be angry, and These courts each consisted of twenty-three judges, by whom causes were heard and determined. + Gen. ix. 6. 2 Cor. vii. 11. "Yea, what indignation," &c., &c., " in all these thing ye have approved yourselves." not sin? By taking care that our anger be moderate, and of short continuance.* What is said of him who is angry with his brother without a cause? He "shall be in danger of the judgment." What are we to understand by being angry with our brother? Angry with any one. What is meant by "the judgment"? See ver. 21. Do human laws extend to the punishment of evil tempers, before they break out into actual crimes? No. Then why did our Lord say, that anger, without a cause, would expose a man to the judgment? Because anger, cherished, leads to crime, and crime leads to punishment. Is there much guilt attached to the man who is immoderately angry, as well as to him who commits murder? Yes; for the sins of the heart are taken into God's account. What did you say is the second stage, next to anger, in the progress towards murder? See above. And the third stage? See above. thets as Vain man,† and Fool, Christ and his apostles? contempt, or abuse. § his apostles employ weighty reproof. But were not such epi sometimes used by Yes; but never to express How, then, did Christ and those terms? As words of What does our Lord say of that individual, who, in the language of contempt, calls * Eph.rv. 26. It is evident, that this is not a command to be angry, but a concession, only, with a caution to beware of sinning in it." + James ii. 20. Luke xxiv. 25. Gal. iii. 1. § It is proper to notice, that the word here employed, is, in the Greek, a much harsher epithet than those used by our Lord and his apostles. It is equivalent to villain. The distinction is lost in our English text. |