It is said in Matt. v, 19, that “whosoever shall break one of these least commandments and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of Heaven; but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of Heaven.”
This is spoken in reference to the ten commandments or moral law, as is evident from the following verse, which shows that it is some law which is a test of righteousness or right doing. There has been a query in some minds as to what is meant by the expression, “shall be called least in the kingdom of Heaven.” The meaning appears to be that such shall not attain unto the kingdom of Heaven at all.
Bloomfield says: “Shall be called least. Said by meiosis for, ‘he shall be farthest from attaining Heaven;’ i. e. ‘he shall not attain it at all.’”
Dr. Clarke on the same says, “Shall have no place in the kingdom of Christ.” That this is the meaning of these words, is evident from the following verse.
Wesley says, “Shall be the least; that is, shall have no part therein.”