ACC ~ Matthew 5 v19

BEYOND THE LAW

HILARY: With a beautiful introduction Christ moves beyond the work of the law. He does not intend to abolish it but to enhance it by fulfilling it. He declares that his apostles will not be able to enter heaven unless their righteousness exceeds that of the Pharisees. Therefore he bypasses what is laid down in the law, not for the sake of abolishing it, but for the sake of fulfilling it. ON MATTHEW 4.16. [1]

[1] SC 254:134.

LEAST IN THE KINGDOM

CHRYSOSTOM: For what reason then does he call some of these commandments “least,” though they are so magnificent and lofty? Jesus spoke this way because he was about to introduce his own teaching as a new law. As he humbles himself and speaks of himself with great modesty, so he refers to his own teaching in the same manner. In this way Jesus teaches us to practice humility in everything. And besides, since some suspected his teaching to be a new departure, he temporarily taught it in a more reserved way.

But when you hear “least in the kingdom of heaven,” you are to think of nothing but hell and punishment. For it was his practice to speak not only of the joy the kingdom brings but also of the time of the resurrection and the fearful event of the second coming. Think of one who calls a brother a fool. That one transgresses only one commandment, maybe even the slightest one, and falls into hell. Compare that one with another who breaks all the commandments and instigates others to break them. Do both have the same relation to the kingdom? This is not the argument Jesus is making. Rather, he means that one who transgresses only one of the commands will on the final day be the least—that is, cast out—and last, and will fall into hell. THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 16. [1]

[1] PG 57:243; NPNF 1 10:106**.

SETTING ASIDE THE LEAST OF THE COMMANDMENTS

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: Whoever sets aside “one of the least of the commandments” of the law is set aside by God as God’s enemy and as an inventor of laws opposed to God. And now out of the law of the gospel that one receives the retribution which, under the ancient law, was not defined. For this reason Christ fittingly says, “I am not come to destroy but to fulfill.” For that which then was lacking, here is made full. [1] It is said in the law: “Stand in the presence of the elderly” [2] and “If you see the beast of your enemy fallen under its load, go help him lift it up.” [3] If anyone transgressed these commandments, there was no retribution specified under the law. So Christ makes up this lack when he says that in the kingdom of heaven such a person will be treated with scorn. FRAGMENT 48. [4]

[1] Or supplied. Note that the Greek verbs are active, not passive.

[2] Lev 19:32.

[3] Ex 23:5.

[4] MKGK 167.