You have heard that it was said to those of old, “You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.” But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, “Raca!” shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, “You fool!” shall be in danger of hell fire. Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First, be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. Assuredly, I say to you, you will by no means get out of there till you have paid the last penny. (Matt 5:21-26)
This second fulfillment of the Law was done according to the law of how to live. When Christ did these things and taught them, He fulfilled the Law and did not break it. For the commandment of Christ is not contrary to the Law but is broader than the Law. The commandment of Christ includes the Law in itself, but the Law does not include Christ’s commandment. Therefore whoever fulfills the commandments of Christ tacitly fulfills in them also the commandments of the Law, for whoever does not grow angry all the more does not kill. But whoever fulfills the commandment of the Law does not altogether fulfill the commandment of Christ. Often an individual does not kill because he fears punishment, but nonetheless, he is angry. Do you see then, that the Law is fulfilled by grace but not abolished? Then without these commandments of Christ, the commandments of the Law are not able to stand. For if a license is granted to become angry, a reason for committing homicide is also given, for it is from anger that murder originates. Remove anger, and there will be no murder. Everyone who is angry without cause, as far as his will is concerned, commits murder, even if he does not do so out of fear. Consequently, there is not as much grief as if it had happened, but the sin of the angry person is just as great. So John in his canonical epistle says, “Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer.”…
See the mercy of God, how He looks more at the advantages to people than at His own honors. For if He were regarding his own honors, He would have said, “Meanwhile, offer your sacrifice and later go and be reconciled.” Now, however, He says, “Go, first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.” It is as if He would say to him, “Go. I am gladly despised and freely suffer the loss of my honor, and I, your Lord, willingly await you, My servants, only so that you can come in friendship. Go, then, so that you can know that I love the harmony of My faithful more than sacrifices”—because the sacrifices of humankind do not profit God, but indeed their love effects God’s glory.
Anonymus, Incomplete Commentary on Matthew 11
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