but I say unto you, that every one who is angry with his brother shall be in danger of the judgment; and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council; and whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of the hell of fire.
I came not to sweep away the foundation of the Old Testament but to fulfill it, establish it, unfold it, embody it in living form. Fear not that I will subvert God's living oracles; rather, enshrine them in reverence, affection, and character.
AI summary
Commenting on Matthew 5:17-48
Three ascending degrees of divine retribution are meant here, not one. Anger without cause draws judgment; "Raca" draws the council; "Fool" draws hellfire, all three are God's wrath, expressed through the image of Jewish courts, for breaches of this law.
AI summary
The sixth commandment forbids killing directly or indirectly, and protects life itself. But Christ expands it far beyond mere murder: anger without cause, contempt, harsh words, all violate the law's true intent and spiritual depth.
AI summary
Commenting on Matthew 5:21-26