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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) But an act apart from the will would be automatic and mechanical. It would cease to be moral (see Matthew 15:19).

(3) The spirit, therefore, is the essence of the Law. So David (see Psalm 66:18). The ordinances respecting ceremonial uncleanness and their washings and bathings were designed to teach this.

2. The senses are the instruments of the heart.

(1) The eye is an inlet to its wickedness. The appetite of Potiphar's wife was stirred by the comeliness of Joseph (see Genesis 39:6). Samson was overcome by the vision of Delilah (Judges 16:1; see also 2 Samuel 11:2).

(2) The eye is an outlet to its wickedness. Bad men look that they may lust. They lust in the look where further satisfaction cannot be attained. "Eyes full of adultery," etc. (2 Peter 2:14). Were time, place, and opportunity in their favour, the look would ripen into the deed.

(3) The true sentinel will keep the gate of the citadel. So Job made a covenant with his eyes (Job 31:1). He will be vigilant in prayer (see Psalm 119:37).

(4) What applies to the eyes applies also to the other senses. There is adultery in unclean discourse. In wanton dalliances. In immodest dressing. "Jezebel painted her face and tired her head," etc. (2 Kings 9:30). Sex is the spirit of the modern dance. "Men sin; but devils tempt to sin" (Henry).

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

(1) The original law of marriage admitted of divorce for the one offence of infidelity to the specific marriage covenant (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:3-8). Other causes there might be to justify separation, but not divorce.

(2) Moses permitted divorce under other conditions (Deuteronomy 24:1). But this permission was hateful to God (see Malachi 2:16). It was suffered by Moses because of the hardness of the people's hearts (Matthew 19:7, 8). Between laws of command and laws of permission there is an important distinction.

(3) Taking advantage of the concession, divorces became common on account of dislikes and caprices. Rabbi Akiba said, "If any man saw a woman handsomer than his own wife, he might put his wife away; because it is said in the Law, If she find not favour in his eyes. Josephus, not being pleased with his wife's manners, put her away."

(4) Our Lord showed how this conduct operated against the Law. It made an adulteress of the divorced wife; for it treated her as though she had been such. It exposed her to the temptation to commit adultery. Bound by the law of her husband during his natural life, even did she marry another she would be an adulteress (see Romans 7:1-8). By parity of reasoning, whoever married her would be an adulterer. The proper husband is responsible as the cause of all these consequences (ver. 32; see also Psalm 50:18; 1 Corinthians 7:10, 11).

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

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

(1) It can have no place in heaven. It would be there a monstrosity in the midst of symmetry. It would mar the harmony of purity, it would be out of sympathy with saints and angels. It would be an intolerable offence to the holy God.

(2) Gehenna is prepared for the devil and his agents. A man goes to "his own place." His hell is in his heart.

(3) In Gehenna there are also torments for the body. "Both soul and body." The body will be tormented in every part. The "eye." The "hand." The "whole body."

2. Terror is the argument for the brutish.

(1) Fine sentiments have little influence with the lustful. The debauchee flings overboard all such when he tramples upon the sanctities of wife, family, home, and Church. Upon the principle that the garotter will respect the cat.

(2) To the adulterer, therefore, our Lord preaches damnation. The true minister will follow this example. He can only keep a clean conscience by declaring the whole counsel of God (see Jude 1:22, 23).

3. Resolute dealing is needful here.

(1) The offending eye and hand must go. No matter how dear the "eye" - the idol. No matter how useful the "hand" - the acquisition (cf. Galatians 5:24; Colossians 3:5).

(2) Men, under surgical advice, will part with a limb or an organ to save life. So the sinner who hazards his soul for his idol must sacrifice his idol to save his soul.

(3) To neglect the mortifying of a single member may prove the destruction of all the members. When one member sins, all the members sin with it and suffer the penalty. Better one perish in repentance than all perish in Gehenna.

(4) Those duties which are most unpleasant are often most "profitable." God requires nothing from us that will not be to our advantage. - J.A.M.

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KJV: Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:

WEB: "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery;'