Untitled article by Wm. H. Wild

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · February 11, 1868

By Wm. H. Wild

[BRO. SMITH: The following comments on Matt. v, 19, 20, I copy from the second volume of Joseph Longking’s Notes on the Gospels, and if you think them worthy of a place in the columns of the Review, I should like for the sake of others who do not fully see the distinction between the two laws, to have you publish them. Wm. H. WILD.]

Think not that I am come to destroy the law or the prophets, &c. The original word rendered to destroy, also means to loose, to annul, or make void, by freeing from. The term, law, signifies a rule of action; a precept or command from a superior authority, and to which obedience is due. This word is used in two leading senses in the New Testament. One embracing the whole Mosaic institution or ceremonial law, the other signifying the moral law. The moral law is contained in the decalogue or ten commandments, recorded in Ex. xx, 1-17, and specifies the duty we owe to God and each other. The ritual or ceremonial law is that which regulated the services of the Jewish religion.

Our Saviour seems here to refer particularly to the moral law, which he fulfilled or perfected by explaining its spiritual nature, enforcing its obligations, and declaring its perpetuity. There is also a sense in which Christ afterward fulfilled the ceremonial law, when, by becoming a sacrifice for sin, he abolished it, for this law was but an index pointing to Jesus Christ, and after his death was no longer needed, its types being all fulfilled in him.

The term prophets, means the prophetical writings, particularly, says Watson, the preceptive parts. Some think our Lord made the declaration contained in the text, lest the Jews should suppose him to be a setter-forth of new laws.

Verse 13. Verily.] Truly, certainly; a strong affirmation and denoting the great importance of what follows.

Till heaven and earth pass.] While the world lasts. How unchanging are God’s requirements, and his faithfulness. One jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law. Jot is the name of a Hebrew letter answering to our J, the smallest character in that alphabet. One tittle, that is the smallest particle. This word is supposed to refer to the smallest dots or points which distinguish some of the Hebrew letters from others like them in appearance. The phrase imports that the smallest requirement of the (moral) law shall not be abrogated or superseded; for, being the foundation of our duty to God and to each other, this law is of perpetual obligation.

Verse 19. Whosoever shall break.] Violate or transgress.

One of these least Commandments.] That is, one of the least, &c. The Scribes and Pharisees made many frivolous distinctions between what they termed great and small commandments. None of these commandments, however, are of small import. They are all binding, equally binding.

Shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven.] A phrase which imports that such persons shall have no portion in the heavenly kingdom. Although by the deeds of the law, merely, no one can be justified before God, yet it is equally certain that those who hold that faith in Christ, unaccompanied by obedience, is sufficient to salvation, will come as far short of the crown of righteousness.

Verse 21. Ye have heard.] From the Scribes and others, reciting the law. Jesus now proceeds to give a more spiritual and authoritative interpretation of the moral law, than had been generally given. He shows that it was designed to take cognizance, not only of the outward act, but of the secret thought.

By them of old time.] This should probably be, to them of old time, as the margin reads. It seems to refer to the giving of the law at Mount Sinai.

Thou shalt not kill.] See Ex. xx, 13. The Jews understood this merely to forbid the act of murder. Jesus shows that it meant more than this; that it extended to the intentions and feelings as well as to the external acts. A man who is desirous of injuring another, and is only prevented by want of opportunity, or by fear of the consequence, is criminal in the sight of God.