Matthew 5:21-22
‘(Jesus said:) “You have heard that it was said to the ancients, ‘You shall not kill!’ and ‘Whoever shall kill shall be in danger of judgment!’ But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause, shall be in danger of judgment! And whoever shall say to his brother ‘Raca!’ (or ‘Vain fellow!’), shall be in danger of the Council! But whoever shall say ‘You fool!’ — shall be in danger of the fire of Hell!”‘ Matthew 5:21-22.
Coming now to the Newer Testament, Calvin comments: “It is a mistake…to suppose…that Christ raises His disciples to a higher degree of perfection…. Nothing was farther from the design of Christ, than to alter or innovate anything in the Commandments of the Law! There, God has once fixed the Rule of Life — which He will never retract. But as the Law had been corrupted by false expositions and turned to a profane meaning, Christ vindicates it against such corruptions and points out its true meaning from which the Jews had departed….
“That Christ…intended to make no correction in the precepts of the Law, is very clear…. To those who desire to enter into life…, He gives no other injunction than to ‘keep the Commandments’ of the Law (Matthew 19:17). From no other source do the Apostles as well as Christ Himself draw the rules for a devout and holy life…. We must not imagine Christ to be a New Legislator who adds anything to the eternal righteousness of His Father. We must listen to Him as a faithful Expounder, so that we may know what is the nature of the Law — what is its object, and what is its extent….
“The Pharisees…had changed the doctrine of the Law…. Hence it came, that he who had not slain a man with his hand — was pronounced (by them) to be free from the guilt of murder…. This was an intolerable profanation of the Law…. Our Lord quotes the very words of the Law…. His reply is not opposed to the command of Moses…, but to the interpretation usually put upon it by the Scribes….
“This precept of the Law restrains…all…that are opposed to brother love…. The word ‘Racha!’ occupies a…place between anger and openly reproachful language…. God will judge and punish even concealed anger…. That man will be held guilty by ‘the…Council’ — so that he may receive severer punishment.
“Those, again, who break out into reproaches – are adjudged to ‘the hell of fire.’ This implies that hatred and everything that is contrary to love, is enough to expose them to eternal death…. The very name might be dreaded by the people, as shocking and alarming.”
Calvin says in his Institutes II:8:7.39: “In saying that this is the meaning of the Law, we are not introducing a new interpretation of our…own. We are following Christ, the best Interpreter of the Law (Matthew 5:22)…. ‘Whoever hates his brother, is a murderer’ (First John 3:15)…. Our Saviour has declared:…’Whoever shall say, ‘You fool!’ — shall be in danger of hell.'”
O, note most carefully that not only murderers — but also angry men are in danger of hell!
