The Least Commandment

[posthuman]

I've listened through every sermon I could find on Matthew 5:19 —it's not apparently a question much of anyone has really asked or explored.

Which is why I thought, what a good question to ask! Not so much to immediately find some authoritative answers, but to get us all to think about something that commentators don't give us ready replies to

one preacher i listened to said that 'obviously' the least of the commandments are all the ones that are only mentioned once. he thought it was tacit that the way God measures is by how many times He says it.

that makes 'the least' a really big set --- but i think this is shoddy reasoning.

 

[posthuman]

so you're saying, God calls the 10 commandments "the least" of the commandments

that actually makes some sense, given how people elevate them above all other commandments -- seeing that we know how stupid people can be. Christ Himself said the two greatest commandments, upon which all the law and prophets hang, are what people call 'mere ordinances' -- neither of them are part of the decalogue, or even found in Exodus at all.
there's some flaw to your reasoning tho -- Christ says this in the immediate context of 'the law' not 'the decalogue' even though He gives examples from the decalogue, it's the Torah in total He has referred to in v. 18

this is the same mistake people make in James 2, saying James is talking about the decalogue -- when in fact the specific thing he faults the people he's writing to ((saying 'if you break one point of the law you're guilty of all')) comes from Leviticus, show no partiality, not from Exodus 20. James goes on to use examples from the decalogue to further illustrate his point, but his specific grievance/accusation in the context is from 'ordinances' in a different book, not from the 10.

 

[Truth7t7]

so you're saying, God calls the 10 commandments "the least" of the commandments

The scripture is very easy to understand, why do you desire to subtract from what is easy

It's a fact the Lord is talking about the 10 commandments, as Killing and Adultery are mentioned openly

The scripture is stating nothing more that dont break any, and dont to teach men to do so, simple

Would coveting your neighbors house and car be lesser than killing your neighbor?

Keep it simple

 

[posthuman]

so you're saying, God calls the 10 commandments "the least" of the commandments

IOW arguing that 'the ordinances' and 'the ceremonial law' are taken away but the 10 commandments are binding on believers is putting a person squarely in the category of 'least in the kingdom' in God's eyes. right?

 

[posthuman]

The scripture is very easy to understand, why do you desire to subtract from what is easy

It's a fact the Lord is talking about the 10 commandments, as Killing and Adultery are mentioned openly

The scripture is stating nothing more that dont break any, and dont to teach men to do so, simple

Would coveting your neighbors house and car be lesser than killing your neighbor?

Keep it simple

it is pretty simple.
if your interpretation is that He is talking about the 10 commandments, then your interpretation is that He is calling the decalogue 'the least' of the commandments. see thread title.

i can't fathom what your objection is; you agreed with KJV1611 when he said the same thing i did.

 

[posthuman]

Keep it simple

this is both incredibly common & incredibly bad advice.

How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity?
and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?
(Proverbs 1:22) ​

 

[Truth7t7]

it is pretty simple.
if your interpretation is that He is talking about the 10 commandments, then your interpretation is that He is calling the decalogue 'the least' of the commandments. see thread title.

i can't fathom what your objection is; you agreed with KJV1611 when he said the same thing i did.

The scripture is saying nothing more than do the 10 commandments, and dont teach not to follow them,its that simple.

No need to make a Novel out of something so simple.

 

[posthuman]

IOW arguing that 'the ordinances' and 'the ceremonial law' are taken away but the 10 commandments are binding on believers is putting a person squarely in the category of 'least in the kingdom' in God's eyes. right?

actually that was poorly stated -- another preacher i heard on this subject mentioned that if breaking and teaching against the least makes you least in the kingdom, then, obvious question, what if you're teaching that the greater commandments are annulled while focusing on the least? his answer was that you're not in the kingdom at all. if that's the case, and for the sake of argument assuming all the Law is binding, then teaching that everything **except** the 10 commandments is annulled puts you squarely not in the kingdom at all

not sure about that; i'm reporting what i've heard.

 

[posthuman]

The scripture is saying nothing more than do the 10 commandments, and dont teach not to follow them,its that simple.

No need to make a Novel out of something so simple.

why does He say "least"
why does He have the concept of "least of the commandments"

is your contention that this is meaningless? i can discard that contention immediately. God does not speak in vain, and the scripture admonishes us not to be simple-minded.

 

[posthuman]

I've listened through every sermon I could find on Matthew 5:19 —it's not apparently a question much of anyone has really asked or explored.

Which is why I thought, what a good question to ask! Not so much to immediately find some authoritative answers, but to get us all to think about something that commentators don't give us ready replies to

one preacher i heard said something really interesting:

he contended that there's no such thing as "least" -- which i immediately disagree with because Christ Himself used language saying there is. he said, it's only what ignorant people with bad theology think of as least in their own minds that God is talking about here, but i really have pause over the idea that Jesus is knowingly using wicked conceptions to make a point. if there is no such thing as least, then Christ does not say there is such thing as least. same argument applies to people who think the account of the rich man & Lazarus the beggar is a bogus parable based on pure fantasy: God does not use completely false & impossible scenarios to teach; He uses truth.

but, this preacher went on to say, ((this is the really interesting point)) there is only one righteousness that is acceptable to God to enter the kingdom, that exceeds the righteousness of the pharisees, and that is the righteousness of Christ Himself, imputed to us by grace through faith. so when Christ is talking about 'the greatest' in the kingdom ((the preacher said)) He is talking about Himself. HE is 'the greatest in the kingdom, and no other shares this with Him. c.f. casting crowns at His feet.

this really makes sense to me; it is the meek who inherit the earth, and what is required of man is to walk humbly before God. if we are walking humbly, we account ourselves as servants of everyone, not as 'greater' than anyone. "take the lowest seat" says the Lord.
it leaves open the question tho, who is 'least in the kingdom' if all are equally considering themselves least? if 'greatest' in the kingdom are all tantamount to our Lord, because greatness is measured by Him and all glory is belonging and ascribed to Him by everyone in the kingdom? is 'least' someone who is in the kingdom at all? or is 'accounted least' speaking of being accounted by those in the kingdom not speaking of an hierarchy in the kingdom at all? this preacher contended that no such hierarchy exists within the people of God; that all of us are equal among each other, all equally below the LORD, all equally in the kingdom solely by having the LORD's own righteousness ascribed to us.
in glory, who is least? isn't it those who are not glorified at all? but those He predestined, He called, justified and glorified. so those without glory are those who are not justified: the just live by faith, so the implication is that 'the least' are the faithless. i.e. not in the kingdom at all. further: those with faith do not annul even the least of the commandments. Paul says, 'we uphold the law!' and simultaneously says, we are not under it.

is this getting anywhere? somewhere wonderful, IMO. somewhere not simple.

 

[Truth7t7]

why does He say "least"
why does He have the concept of "least of the commandments"

is your contention that this is meaningless? i can discard that contention immediately. God does not speak in vain, and the scripture admonishes us not to be simple-minded.

Is coveting your neighbors donkey or cow, (Lesser/Least) in importance, as compared to killing your neighbor, absolutely yes.

The very simple answer is before your eyes, (The Least Of These Commandments) applies as explained above, it's not rocket science, its 6th grade reading comprehension.

Do the 10 commandments, and dont teach men not to observe them, it's that simple.

Merriam-Webster
Definition of (covet)

transitive verb
1: to wish for earnestlycovet an award
2: to desire (what belongs to another) inordinately or culpablyThe king's brother coveted the throne.

Exodus 20:13-17KJV
13 Thou shalt not kill.
14 Thou shalt not commit adultery.
15 Thou shalt not steal.
16 Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.
17 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's.

 

[JaumeJ]

Perhaps if we turn our attention to the teaching that he who breaks even on law is guilty of breaking all of the law.

As for the Ten being the least of the laws as purported by a member here, if a person obeys the law to love God with all our heart mind and understanding, he will be obeying all the law simply because of his love of the Father.

 

[Truth7t7]

Perhaps if we turn our attention to the teaching that he who breaks even on law is guilty of breaking all of the law.

As for the Ten being the least of the laws as purported by a member here, if a person obeys the law to love God with all our heart mind and understanding, he will be obeying all the law simply because of his love of the Father.

I somewhat agree, it's very simple and a figure of speech for observe and keep the commandments

Dont break the commandments, dont to men to break the commandments, it's that simple, no need to have a college class on the subject, its read and heed done.

 

[posthuman]

Is coveting your neighbors donkey or cow, (Lesser/Least) in importance, as compared to killing your neighbor, absolutely yes.

By what measure?
God says, covetousness is idolatry ((Col. 3:5)), and being angry with your brother is murder ((Matt. 5:22)).

So you say anger is worse than idolatry. Does God agree?

And why are you talking about 'least of the least' I thought you already had the position that the 10 commandments are the least of the commandments?

 

[Truth7t7]

By what measure?
God says, covetousness is idolatry ((Col. 3:5)), and being angry with your brother is murder ((Matt. 5:22)).

So you say anger is worse than idolatry. Does God agree?

And why are you talking about 'least of the least' I thought you already had the position that the 10 commandments are the least of the commandments?

The teaching is simple, do the 10 commandments and dont teach others not to observe them, simple, plain, easy to understand, the horse is dead, it's all yours.

 

[KJV1611]

The teaching is simple, do the 10 commandments and dont teach others not to observe them, simple, plain, easy to understand, the horse is dead, it's all yours.

The teaching is the exact opposite of what you just said.

 

[Truth7t7]

The teaching is the exact opposite of what you just said.

I see no credibility in a response, from a person that denies the Lords future second coming in the heavens, and the glorious bodily resurrection of the believer.

Roman's 16:17KJV
17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

Ephesians 4:14KJV
14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

 

[KJV1611]

I see no credibility in a response, from a person that denies the Lords future second coming in the heavens, and the glorious bodily resurrection of the believer.

Roman's 16:17KJV
17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

Ephesians 4:14KJV
14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

Maybe this will help you.

It’s all about loving your neighbor rather than accusing the brethren of heresy.

Joh 13:34 (KJV) A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

Love is parient, kind and long suffering with a sincere longing to help a fellow human being understand Gods truth correctly as I do with you.

 

[posthuman]

The teaching is simple, do the 10 commandments and dont teach others not to observe them, simple, plain, easy to understand, the horse is dead, it's all yours.

*cough*

Proverbs 1:22

*cough*

 

[seed_time_harvest]

I see no credibility in a response, from a person that denies the Lords future second coming in the heavens, and the glorious bodily resurrection of the believer.

Roman's 16:17KJV
17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

Ephesians 4:14KJV
14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

It's just a discussion,relax.