Justice. As charity is sister to piety, so is justice related to both. This virtue is enjoined upon us— I. IN RESPECT TO CONDUCT . 1 . In judgment justice should be impartial. 2 . In dealings justice should be strict. 3 . The evils of injustice are serious. II. IN RESPECT TO MOTIVE . 1 . " Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart." 2 . "Thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour." 3 . The root of justice is love. read more
Love-its root and its fruit. Two things lend a special interest to this passage. 1 . It was twice quoted by our Lord ( Matthew 19:19 and Matthew 22:39 ). 2 . It shows us the Law as closer to the gospel than we are apt to think; it proves that, under the old dispensation, God was not satisfied with a mere mechanical propriety of behaviour, that he demanded rightness of feeling as well as correctness of conduct. We have— I. THE BROAD PRINCIPLE OF GOD 'S REQUIREMENT... read more
Revenge and malice are forbidden as well as hatred, and the negative precepts culminate in the positive law. Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, which sums up in itself one half of the Decalogue ( Matthew 22:40 ). "For he that loveth another hath fulfilled the Law. For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this... read more
We have the testimony of our Lord ( Matthew 22:9 ) and of the Apostle St. Paul ( Romans 13:9 ; Galatians 5:14 ) that to obey the injunction, "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself," is to fulfill all the commandments of the second table of the Law; and for that reason St. James calls it a royal law ( James 2:8 ). Here, therefore, the Levitical Law culminates in its highest point, so far as our duties towards men are concerned. Lest the Jew should confine the idea of thy neighbour... read more
Leviticus 19:18. Thy neighbour Every man, as plainly appears, 1st, By comparing this place with Leviticus 19:34, where this law is applied to strangers. 2d, Because the word neighbour is explained by another man, Leviticus 20:10; Romans 13:8. As thyself With the same sincerity, though not equality of affection. read more
Miscellaneous matters (19:1-37)Probably the miscellaneous laws collected here were decisions or warnings given by Moses in cases where there was some doubt about what was right or wrong. Often all that was needed was a reminder of existing laws; for example, those concerning respect for parents, Sabbath-keeping, worship of idols and eating of sacrificial food (19:1-8).When harvesting, farmers were always to leave something for the poor (9-10). Employers had to pay wages promptly, and judges had... read more
thou shalt love. See Matthew 7:12 ; Matthew 22:39 , Matthew 22:40 . Luke 6:31 ; Luke 10:27 . neighbour. Not merely one who is "near", but any one with whom one has dealings. This is the point of Luke 10:29 . Compare John 4:9 . read more
Leviticus 19:18. Thou shalt not avenge, &c.— See Romans 12:19. Mat 7:12 from which we learn how we are to love our neighbour as ourself. Here, indeed, we have the whole of the former precepts in a word; for love will make us honest, true, just, tender, kind, jealous for our neighbour's good, and as sincerely desirous of, and laborious for his welfare in body and soul, as for our own. Lord, shed abroad this love in my heart! read more
18. thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself—The word "neighbour" is used as synonymous with "fellow creature." The Israelites in a later age restricted its meaning as applicable only to their own countrymen. This narrow interpretation was refuted by our Lord in a beautiful parable (Luke 10:30-37). read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Leviticus 19:11-36
Integrity. The Jews have always been considered a cunning and crafty race; they have been credited with a willingness to overreach in business dealings. Men would rather have transactions with others than with them, lest they should find themselves worsted in the bargain. This suspicion may be well founded; but if it be so, it ought to be remembered that it is the consequence of the long and cruel disadvantages under which they have suffered, and is not clue to anything in their own blood... read more