Deuteronomy 6:5-6

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Deuteronomy 6:4-16

Here is, I. A brief summary of religion, containing the first principles of faith and obedience, Deut. 6:4, 5. These two verses the Jews reckon one of the choicest portions of scripture: they write it in their phylacteries, and think themselves not only obliged to say it at least twice every day, but very happy in being so obliged, having this saying among them, Blessed are we, who every morning and evening say, Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord. But more blessed are we if we duly... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 6:5

And thou shalt love the Lord thy God ,.... Which is the first and chief commandment in the law, the sum and substance of the first table of it; and includes in it, or at least has connected with it, knowledge of God, esteem of him, delight in him, faith and trust in him, fear and worship of him, and obedience to him, which when right springs from it. God is to be loved because of the perfections of his nature, and the works of his hand, of nature, providence, and grace; and because of the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 6:6

And these words, which I command thee this day ,.... To hearken to, observe, and take notice of, that God is one, and is to be loved in the strongest manner that possibly can be: shall be in thine heart ; on the table of the heart, as the Targum of Jonathan; see 2 Corinthians 3:3 , be cordially received, have a place in the affections of the heart, and be retained in mind and memory. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 6:5

Thou shalt love the Lord, etc. - Here we see the truth of that word of the apostle, 1 Timothy 1:5 ; : Now the End of the Commandment is Love out of a pure heart, etc. See the whole of the doctrine contained in this verse explained on Matthew 22:36-40 ; (note). read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 6:6

Shall be in thine heart - For where else can love be? If it be not in the heart, it exists not. And if these words be not in the heart - if they are not esteemed, prized, and received as a high and most glorious privilege, what hope is there that this love shall ever reign there? read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 6:6

Verse 6 6.And these words. In these four next verses God again commands (as before) the study of His Law. And first, indeed, He would have it implanted in their hearts, lest forgetfulness of it should ever steal over them; and by the word “heart” He designates the memory and other faculties of the mind; as though He had said that this was so great a treasure, that there was good cause why they should hide it in their hearts, or so fix this doctrine deeply in their minds that it should never... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Deuteronomy 6:5

Since there is but One God, and that God is Israel’s God, so Israel must love God unreservedly and entirely. The “heart” is mentioned as the seat of the understanding; the “soul” as the center of will and personality; the “might” as representing the outgoings and energies of all the vital powers.The New Testament itself requires no more than this total self-surrender of man’s being to his maker Matthew 22:37. The Gospel differs from the Law not so much in replacing an external and carnal... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Deuteronomy 6:5

Deuteronomy 6:5. Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart And is this only an external commandment? Can any then say that the Sinai covenant was merely external? With all thy heart It is not only the external action, but the internal affection of the mind that God requires; an affection which influences all our actions, in secret as well as in public. We must love him, 1st, With a sincere love; not in words and in tongue only; saying that we love him, when our hearts are not... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Deuteronomy 6:6

Deuteronomy 6:6. These words shall be in thy heart Though the words alone, without the things expressed by them, will do us no good, yet as we are in danger of losing the things if we neglect the words, we must, therefore, even lay the words up in our hearts. Our thoughts must be daily conversant with them, and employed about them, that thereby our whole soul may be brought under the influence and impression of them. read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 6:1-25

The power of love (6:1-25)No matter how strong their determination to do right, the people would be unable to keep God’s law unless they first had a strong and genuine love for God himself. Love for him would give them the inner power to walk in his ways (6:1-5). As well as keeping God’s commandments themselves, they had to teach their children to do likewise. Their family life was to be guided by the knowledge of God’s law. Their house was to be known as a place where people loved God’s law... read more

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