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Matthew 22:36
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- John Gill
- Tyndale
John Gill Bible Commentary
And the second is like unto it,.... For there is but a second, not a third: this is suggested in opposition to the numerous commandments in the law, according to the opinion of the Jews, who reckon them in all to be "six hundred and thirteen": of which there are "three hundred and sixty five" negative ones, according to the number of the days of the year; and "two hundred and forty eight" affirmative ones, according to the members of a man's body (z). Christ reduces all to two, love to God, and love to the neighbour; and the latter is the second in order of nature, time, dignity, and causality; the object of it being a creature; and the act itself being the effect of the former, yet like unto it: for though the object is different, yet this commandment regards love as the former, and requires that it be as that, true, hearty, sincere, and perfect; that it be with singleness of heart, always, and to all men; and that it spring from love to God, and be performed to his glory: and which is expressed in the words written in Lev 19:18 "thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself"; as heartily and sincerely, and as a man would desire to be loved by his neighbour; and do all the good offices to him he would choose to have done to himself by him. This law supposes, that men should love themselves, or otherwise they cannot love their neighbour; not in a sinful way, by indulging themselves in carnal lusts and pleasures; some are lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; but in a natural way, so as to be careful of their bodies, families, and estates; and in a spiritual way, so as to be concerned for their souls, and the everlasting happiness of them: and in like manner should men love their neighbours, in things temporal do them all the good they can, and do no injury to their persons or property; and in things spiritual pray for them, instruct them, and advise as they would their own souls, or their nearest and dearest relations. And this is to be extended to every man; though the Jews restrain it to their friend and companion, and one of their own religion, ""Thy neighbour"; that is, (say they (a),) thy friend in the law; and "this is the great comprehensive rule in the law", to show that it is not fit there should be any division, or separation, between a man and his companion, but one should judge every man in the balance of equity: wherefore, near unto it is, "I am the Lord": for as I the Lord am one, so it is fit for you that ye should be one nation without division; but a wicked man, and one that does not receive reproof, it is commanded to hate him; as it is said, "do not I hate them that hate me?" But our Lord intends by it to include, that love, benevolence, and good will, which are due to every man; and suggests, that this comprehends not only all that contained in the second table of the decalogue, but all duties that are reducible thereunto, and are obligatory on men one towards another whatever; all which should spring from love, and be done heartily and sincerely, with a view to the neighbour's good, and God's glory: and with this Maimonides agrees, saying (b), that "all the commands, or duties, respecting a man, and his neighbour, , "are comprehended in beneficence." (z) T. Bab. Maccot, fol. 23. 2. (a) Moses Kotsensis Mitzvot Tora pr. affirm. 9. (b) In Misn. Peah, c. 1. sect. 1.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
22:36 Since many strict Jews saw all commandments as equally binding, a careless response to this question could lead to the accusation of undermining the law of God.
Matthew 22:36
The Greatest Commandment
35One of them, an expert in the law, tested Him with a question:36“Teacher, which commandment is the greatest in the Law?”
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- Sermons
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Loving Your Neighbor as Yourself - Part 1
By Carter Conlon3.0K39:01MAT 22:36This sermon delves into the commandment of loving your neighbor as yourself, emphasizing the challenge of truly loving others when struggling with self-loathing or past failures. It explores the importance of understanding God's love for us, the need to embrace our identity in Christ, and the transformational work of the Holy Spirit within us. The message encourages believers to recognize their new nature in Christ, to love the work God is doing in them, and to extend that love to others as a reflection of their love for God.
Finishing the Course - 08 Being a Nobody
By Zac Poonen2.9K1:08:35Finishing WellJOB 29:15JOB 31:24MAT 6:33MAT 22:36In this sermon, the speaker discusses the story of Job and how God allowed him to go through trials and humiliations because there was one fundamental thing wrong with him. Despite being a wealthy and successful man, Job lacked a deep relationship with God. Four preachers came to Job and wrongly assumed that his suffering was a result of secret sin in his life. However, God spoke to Job and showed him that He does not scold or judge people based on their circumstances. The speaker emphasizes the importance of loving God with all our mind and heart, rather than being consumed by worldly distractions.
Loving Your Neighbor as Yourself
By Carter Conlon2.7K57:00Loving OthersISA 54:10MAT 22:36In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of pouring kindness and hope into the hearts of others. They explain that by sharing the truths of God with those around us, we not only walk closer to God but also experience an increase in our love for Him. The speaker uses the story of Peter's vision in Acts 10 to illustrate how God's love extends to all people, regardless of their background or status. They also highlight the need to love our neighbors as ourselves, emphasizing the simplicity and power of sharing Christ with others.
Don't Break God's Heart
By Zac Poonen2.6K59:08InheritanceMAT 10:8MAT 22:36ROM 12:22CO 11:2GAL 5:22EPH 4:221PE 2:2In this sermon, the speaker shares his personal testimony of studying the Bible for 45 years and how he recently acquired a device that allows him to listen to the Bible wherever he goes. He emphasizes the importance of loving Jesus with all our hearts and how this changes our perspective on the world. The speaker also highlights the challenge of loving our enemies and allowing them to bring out the best in us. He encourages the audience to use their minds to understand the scriptures and to avoid corrupting it with sinful and useless things.
Balance of Truth - 1
By Zac Poonen2.5K58:17BalanceMAT 22:362TI 3:16In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of maintaining a balance of truth in Christianity. He compares a Christian with one strong wing of truth to a bird flying in circles, lacking forward progress. The speaker encourages Christians to seek progress rather than mere movement in their spiritual lives. He also highlights the need to seek God's will and honor Him, rather than making money the goal. The ultimate aim is to become perfect and lacking in no area, with God filling up any weaknesses and providing extra coaching in areas where we are lacking.
Be Ye Holy - Part 2
By Winkie Pratney1.3K56:34MAT 22:36This sermon delves into the importance of holiness and obedience, emphasizing the need to align our hearts with God's commandments. It contrasts external legalistic traditions with the internal transformation of the heart, highlighting the significance of making God the supreme preference in our lives. The sermon explores the levels of choice in life, from supreme preferences to immediate decisions, urging listeners to prioritize obedience to God above all else.
Destroying Every Idol
By Zac Poonen6311:00:56GEN 4:3ISA 49:15MAT 22:36MRK 12:41EPH 5:25This sermon emphasizes the importance of loving God with all our heart and making sacrifices for Him. It highlights the significance of true devotion to Jesus Christ, prioritizing Him above all else, and the need to offer our best to God in love. The message stresses the principle of sacrifice in demonstrating love for God and others, drawing examples from biblical stories like Cain and Abel's offerings and the widow's sacrificial gift.
Fervent Devotion to Christ and the Way of the Cross
By Zac Poonen55326:16MAT 22:362CO 11:3This sermon emphasizes the importance of maintaining a fervent devotion to Jesus Christ, highlighting the danger of being led astray by Satan from simple, pure devotion. It stresses the need to daily take up the cross, symbolizing the death of self-life, as the only way to access the Tree of Life, which represents devotion to Christ. The speaker warns against being deceived by emotional experiences or external actions without genuine love for Christ, emphasizing that true devotion is proven by dying to self in daily life.
How to Love Jesus With All Our Heart
By Zac Poonen2641:11:59MAT 22:36This sermon emphasizes the importance of loving God with all our heart, soul, and mind, as well as loving our neighbors as ourselves. It delves into the depth of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross, highlighting the agony of potential separation from the Father to save us from eternal hell. The speaker encourages a profound understanding of God's immense love for us and the significance of realizing the extent of our forgiveness to fuel a deep love for Jesus.
The Relationship of the First Commandment to the Second
By Mike Bickle2252:57Love for OthersLove for GodMAT 22:36Mike Bickle emphasizes the inseparable relationship between the first commandment, to love God, and the second commandment, to love our neighbor. He explains that true love for God naturally overflows into love for others, and that prioritizing ministry to people over our relationship with God can lead to spiritual burnout. Bickle highlights that all of God's purposes hinge on these two commandments, and that genuine love requires the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. He encourages believers to pursue a deeper relationship with Jesus to effectively love others, as love is the ultimate fulfillment of the law and the essence of God's heart.
A Compendium of the Ten Commands.
By John Gill0Obedience to God's LawLoveMAT 22:36John Gill emphasizes that the essence of the Ten Commandments is encapsulated in the two greatest commandments: to love God and to love our neighbor. He explains that each commandment not only prohibits certain actions but also commands the opposite virtues, highlighting the spiritual nature of the law that extends beyond mere actions to include thoughts and intentions. Gill argues that the Decalogue serves as a moral guide for all people, binding both Jews and Gentiles, and underscores the importance of obedience to God's commands as a reflection of our covenant relationship with Him. He concludes by affirming that while the law is extensive and cannot be perfectly fulfilled by man, righteousness is found through faith in Christ, who fulfills the law on our behalf.
- John Gill
- Tyndale
John Gill Bible Commentary
And the second is like unto it,.... For there is but a second, not a third: this is suggested in opposition to the numerous commandments in the law, according to the opinion of the Jews, who reckon them in all to be "six hundred and thirteen": of which there are "three hundred and sixty five" negative ones, according to the number of the days of the year; and "two hundred and forty eight" affirmative ones, according to the members of a man's body (z). Christ reduces all to two, love to God, and love to the neighbour; and the latter is the second in order of nature, time, dignity, and causality; the object of it being a creature; and the act itself being the effect of the former, yet like unto it: for though the object is different, yet this commandment regards love as the former, and requires that it be as that, true, hearty, sincere, and perfect; that it be with singleness of heart, always, and to all men; and that it spring from love to God, and be performed to his glory: and which is expressed in the words written in Lev 19:18 "thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself"; as heartily and sincerely, and as a man would desire to be loved by his neighbour; and do all the good offices to him he would choose to have done to himself by him. This law supposes, that men should love themselves, or otherwise they cannot love their neighbour; not in a sinful way, by indulging themselves in carnal lusts and pleasures; some are lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; but in a natural way, so as to be careful of their bodies, families, and estates; and in a spiritual way, so as to be concerned for their souls, and the everlasting happiness of them: and in like manner should men love their neighbours, in things temporal do them all the good they can, and do no injury to their persons or property; and in things spiritual pray for them, instruct them, and advise as they would their own souls, or their nearest and dearest relations. And this is to be extended to every man; though the Jews restrain it to their friend and companion, and one of their own religion, ""Thy neighbour"; that is, (say they (a),) thy friend in the law; and "this is the great comprehensive rule in the law", to show that it is not fit there should be any division, or separation, between a man and his companion, but one should judge every man in the balance of equity: wherefore, near unto it is, "I am the Lord": for as I the Lord am one, so it is fit for you that ye should be one nation without division; but a wicked man, and one that does not receive reproof, it is commanded to hate him; as it is said, "do not I hate them that hate me?" But our Lord intends by it to include, that love, benevolence, and good will, which are due to every man; and suggests, that this comprehends not only all that contained in the second table of the decalogue, but all duties that are reducible thereunto, and are obligatory on men one towards another whatever; all which should spring from love, and be done heartily and sincerely, with a view to the neighbour's good, and God's glory: and with this Maimonides agrees, saying (b), that "all the commands, or duties, respecting a man, and his neighbour, , "are comprehended in beneficence." (z) T. Bab. Maccot, fol. 23. 2. (a) Moses Kotsensis Mitzvot Tora pr. affirm. 9. (b) In Misn. Peah, c. 1. sect. 1.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
22:36 Since many strict Jews saw all commandments as equally binding, a careless response to this question could lead to the accusation of undermining the law of God.