I have seen an end of all perfection: but thy commandment is exceeding broad.
The verse belongs to a psalm that exalts the law, presenting the law as the rule of life and presenting the word as setting out the principles of righteousness that distinguish right from wrong and truth from error. The surrounding verses present the word as giving wisdom and understanding, teaching the way of right action, and transforming those who receive and obey it.
The first half means that every human achievement and every human standard of perfection has limits and comes to an end, while in contrast the commandment is exceedingly broad. That broadness means that those who strive to enter through the strait gate find a broad path in the commandment. Its breadth reaches every area of life and prohibits every evil, setting the standard of righteousness by requiring supreme love to God and love to the neighbor as oneself. It sets the moral standard for every relation, duty, affection, habit, and emotion, so the whole mind and heart must be molded by the Holy Spirit and made holy for every good work.
Its breadth reaches beyond outward deeds and words to the motives, thoughts, and purposes that control the heart. Because of that breadth, its claims cannot be measured or evaded. The law is sacred and is holy, just, and good, reflecting the divine character, and every precept retains its sacredness. It remains the rule of human conduct and of the future judgment, and not one precept can be repealed or released. Christ expounded the law in its true significance, showing that self-love transgresses it.
Its breadth calls workers to obey God fully in supreme love to Him and love to their neighbors as themselves. Because it searches motives as well as words and actions, no person can truthfully claim to be without sin, and a claim to sinlessness proves the law has not been written in the heart. When brought to attention, it condemns the sinner and reveals transgression, calling for repentance and confession instead of denial. The holy commandments are the divine law given to govern human beings, so the world's defiance of them insults God; after bearing that defiance with great patience while continuing to give light to the obedient, God will certainly intervene and punish wickedness, and the verse is proclaimed with solemn earnestness as a witness to that point.
The verse belongs to a psalm that exalts the law, presenting the law as the rule of life and presenting the word as setting out the principles of righteousness that distinguish right from wrong and truth from error. The surrounding verses present the word as giving wisdom and understanding, teaching the way of right action, and transforming those who receive and obey it.
The first half means that every human achievement and every human standard of perfection has limits and comes to an end, while in contrast the commandment is exceedingly broad. That broadness means that those who strive to enter through the strait gate find a broad path in the commandment. Its breadth reaches every area of life and prohibits every evil, setting the standard of righteousness by requiring supreme love to God and love to the neighbor as oneself. It sets the moral standard for every relation, duty, affection, habit, and emotion, so the whole mind and heart must be molded by the Holy Spirit and made holy for every good work.
Its breadth reaches beyond outward deeds and words to the motives, thoughts, and purposes that control the heart. Because of that breadth, its claims cannot be measured or evaded. The law is sacred and is holy, just, and good, reflecting the divine character, and every precept retains its sacredness. It remains the rule of human conduct and of the future judgment, and not one precept can be repealed or released. Christ expounded the law in its true significance, showing that self-love transgresses it.
Its breadth calls workers to obey God fully in supreme love to Him and love to their neighbors as themselves. Because it searches motives as well as words and actions, no person can truthfully claim to be without sin, and a claim to sinlessness proves the law has not been written in the heart. When brought to attention, it condemns the sinner and reveals transgression, calling for repentance and confession instead of denial. The holy commandments are the divine law given to govern human beings, so the world's defiance of them insults God; after bearing that defiance with great patience while continuing to give light to the obedient, God will certainly intervene and punish wickedness, and the verse is proclaimed with solemn earnestness as a witness to that point.