2:1 The second commandment of the teaching is this:
2:2 Do not commit
murder ; do not commit adultery; do not corrupt boys; do not have
illicit sex; do not steal; do not practice magic; do not practice witchcraft;
you shall not murder a child, whether it be born or unborn. Do not covet the
things of your neighbor.
2:3 Do not swear or bear false witness. Do not speak evil of others; do not bear grudges.
2:4 You should not be double-minded or double-tongued, for a double-tongue is a deadly snare.
2:5 Your speech should not be false nor empty, but fulfilled by action.
2:6 Do not be covetous, or greedy, or hypocritical, or malicious, or arrogant. Do not have designs against your neighbor.
2:7 Hate no one; correct some, pray for others, and some you should love more than your own life.
2:3 Do not swear or bear false witness. Do not speak evil of others; do not bear grudges.
2:4 You should not be double-minded or double-tongued, for a double-tongue is a deadly snare.
2:5 Your speech should not be false nor empty, but fulfilled by action.
2:6 Do not be covetous, or greedy, or hypocritical, or malicious, or arrogant. Do not have designs against your neighbor.
2:7 Hate no one; correct some, pray for others, and some you should love more than your own life.
If chapter one focused
on the teachings at the Mt. of Olivet, then Chapter 2 goes even deeper into
that teaching. As discussed, the teaching of Christ in Matthew 5-7 is a reinterpretation
of the Torah – or rather a better interpretation. But in Chapter 2, the authors
do more than reiterate Matthew 5-7, they reiterate the Torah and the Ten Commandments.
It is important that the authors make it clear to the early church that the Law
of God – as taught correctly by Christ – is not only still valid but is integral
to the Christian life and practice.
This
mentality and teaching will be important in defending against a heresy that
will arise in the early second century called Marcionism. Marcion was
excommunicated from the church in 144 AD for teaching that the God of the Old
Testament and of Israel is a different God than Christ and that the teachings
of Paul are supreme to that of the other Apostles and the OT. He advocated the
idea of axing the OT, the catholic epistles, and even some Gospels from Holy Scriptures;
this is a very popular movement today. Would-be heretics certainly have short memories. The
OT, much like John the Baptist (forerunner), sets the scene and points to the
coming Christ. The most simple laws given by God in the OT – do not
commit murder, do not steel, do not have designs against your neighbor – are the
moral framework of not just Israel but of the follower of
Christ. Even the common man recognizes that these are woven into the human
moral psyche; these laws are not to be disregarded by the Christian.
The
last thing I would like to point out in this section is 2:5. Even the laws given
by God in the OT should not leave us frightened into inaction, but rather should
spring us into action. Just like meditating on one’s own sins and keeping them
in the forefront of our thoughts should bring us to repentance and a love for
God’s mercy (thinking of the King & Prophet David), remembering the laws of
God (and of natural law) should help us be vigilant against our sins and
our conscience. Do what you say, and say what you mean.
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