Matthew 5:27-32 - Homilies By J.a. Macdonald

Purity.

In the preceding paragraph Jesus expounded the spirituality of the Law in ruling the passions; here he pursues the subject in respect to the appetites. The case of adultery is typical or representative of the series. Learn—

I. THAT THE LAW IS KEPT OR BROKEN IN THE HEART .

1 . Acts are good or evil as expressions of the heart.

(1) This was the reverse of the teaching of the elders. Especially so in the school of Hillel. Hence the Pharisees took the technical observance of the letter to be the fulfilling of the Law (see Luke 18:11 ).

2 . The senses are the instruments of the heart.

3 . The Pharisee , ignoring the spirit , transgresses the letter of the Law.

II. THAT THE HEART MUST BE PURIFIED AT ANY COST .

1 . Because the unclean heart is fit only for perdition.

2 . Terror is the argument for the brutish.

3 . Resolute dealing is needful here.