Matthew 5:19

[KJVisTruth]

Matt. 5:19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.


Whats your viewpoint on this verse? What are the "least commandments"? Perhaps we could even discuss what the lesser sins are, to find exactly what the least commandments might be. My guess is, for starters, having an arrogance is one of the lesser sins, because thats a certain kind of pride.

Also notice, "... but whosoever shall DO and teach..." That tells me knowledge alone is not enough to be called great. One needs to be and do like Christ, (Matt. 5:48) Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

I welcome your feedback, thanks!

 

[tqpix]

I think the least commandments are the ones mentioned after that: Looking lustfully after women, loving your enemies, etc.

 

[SGM4HIM]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Jesus maybe referring to the commandments as ritualistic (lesser) verses mercy (greater).[/FONT]

MARK 12:33 [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.

MATTHEW 9:13 [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]But go and learn what this means, 'It is mercy that I desire, not sacrifice'; for I did not come to appeal to the righteous, but to sinners."[/FONT]

 

[homewardbound]

Looking at this verse in context, I think Jesus is pointing out that nothing escapes God's judgement, not even the smallest infraction. For the truly repentant, God shows mercy, but those who dabble in sin, however small, and by their actions condone it for others, are not true followers of Christ.

By telling us that one must be more righteous than the Pharisees in order to enter the kingdom of heaven (a scary thought for people in those days), Jesus' fulfillment of the law takes on enormous significance. He makes it possible for us to be declared righteous. We don't have to be perfect, just forgiven.

 

[KJVisTruth]

Looking at this verse in context, I think Jesus is pointing out that nothing escapes God's judgement, not even the smallest infraction. For the truly repentant, God shows mercy, but those who dabble in sin, however small, and by their actions condone it for others, are not true followers of Christ.

By telling us that one must be more righteous than the Pharisees in order to enter the kingdom of heaven (a scary thought for people in those days), Jesus' fulfillment of the law takes on enormous significance. He makes it possible for us to be declared righteous. We don't have to be perfect, just forgiven.

Thats true, nothing escapes God's judgment. And that made me think of that verse in a different way... if He does NOT allow sin in His presence, the lesser sins just might not qualify as "sin".... cuz there are people who are called the least in the kingdom of heaven. That would be in conflict with Matthew 5:48 though. But it probably makes sense that Jesus was actually talking about teachers/apostles (apostlic teaching)... because I am not sure He was also talking to the multitudes. In the same chapter, Matthew 5:1-2 "And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciplines came unto him: And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying," Sounds like they were in a cave, without the multitudes.

Could it be that Matthew 5 is really about apostlic way of living? The rest of the chapter seems to fit in better that way, when you think of 5:19. Maybe I am overanalyzing... =)

 

[homewardbound]

Thats true, nothing escapes God's judgment. And that made me think of that verse in a different way... if He does NOT allow sin in His presence, the lesser sins just might not qualify as "sin".... cuz there are people who are called the least in the kingdom of heaven. That would be in conflict with Matthew 5:48 though. But it probably makes sense that Jesus was actually talking about teachers/apostles (apostlic teaching)... because I am not sure He was also talking to the multitudes. In the same chapter, Matthew 5:1-2 "And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciplines came unto him: And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying," Sounds like they were in a cave, without the multitudes.

Could it be that Matthew 5 is really about apostlic way of living? The rest of the chapter seems to fit in better that way, when you think of 5:19. Maybe I am overanalyzing... =)

I think you're correct that Jesus is not talking to the multitudes here. His message is FOR the multitudes, but all of Matthew 5 serves as instruction for his disciples. In that sense this chapter, along with chapters 6 and 7, could certainly be considered apostolic.

I agree that God views some sins as less serious than others and that there are varying degrees of reward in heaven. But sin is sin regardless of how serious, and even the smallest of sins would disqualify us from entering heaven were it not for Christ's atonement.
I think Jesus is saying we shouldn't trivialize any sin.

Perhaps verses 17-20 are just a preface for the rest of the chapter, because starting with verse 21, Jesus begins to reinterpret Mosaic law. Maybe the commandments he speaks of in verse 19 refers to his teachings in the following verses.