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We can divide these verses into four parts:
So we will look at each one of these, one at a time, and see if we can come to an understanding of what Christ was teaching here.
First, lets look at the 6th. commandment as it is stated here. "You shall not kill." Let us remind ourselves of what Jesus said at the beginning of this study, "I have not come to abolish the Law and the Prophets, I have come to fulfill them."
Note what is forbidden here in this commandment. Killing, directly or indirectly. Life is God's to give or to take away. The Old Testament is full of death, designed or used for the purpose of bringing about the plan of God. This commandment bring up many questions. What about the killing of ones self? What about war, abortion or capital punishment? These questions must be answered by each one of us as the Holy Spirit leads us.
Secondly, lets look at the true extent of this Law, maybe it will help us answer some of the above questions. Here Christ explains the faulty understanding of the Jewish teachers in limiting this Law to the act of murder. Christ explains that forbidden are the "inward lusts", the desire to be right, the desire to get our own way, the desire to be important, the inward lusts from which murders, wars and conflict come. The Jewish leaders forbid only the sinful act not the sinful thought, which is the true extent of the Law.
Thirdly, we are told what anger is forbidden and what is not. Anger is a natural passion when properly applied. "Whoever is angry with his brother, without cause, breaks this commandment." Unlawful anger is described as, anger without cause, anger with provocation, anger based on groundless rumors, anger based on trivial affronts and anger designed to bring harm to someone.
Lawful anger is described as, anger designed to awaken the offender to repentance and anger designed to prevent him from repeating his misdeeds of sinning again. Lawful anger is simply concern for someone.
The Law also extends to what is called "tongue murder", statements of malice against someone. "Thou fool", coming from the Greek word "raca", meaning an empty person, "when spoken in anger and malice, is the "smoke" of the fire that is kindled in hell." Someone who expresses that type of anger is in danger of hell fire. Anyone who is capable of this type of anger without repentance or sorrow should search themselves to see if they are truly "born again" of the Spirit, full of grace and love. Notice where the responsibility for the enforcement of this Law lies, verse 22, "Whoever does this shall be liable to the Council." The Church leaders bear the responsibility of policing this commandment in love and understanding.
The fourth and last point sums up the others and commands us to preserve the peace in Christian love. If at any time we are at a disagreement with a fellow Christian, we must work for a reconciliation, for until this is done, we are unfit for communion with God. As the injured party, we are to offer forgiveness, as the offender, we are to ask forgiveness.
Verses 25 and 26 explain two reasons why we should seek reconciliation, particularly if we are the offender. One is civil and one is spiritual. We owe it to ourselves, our families, and our witness to remain out of civil court. By the same token, we owe it to ourselves, our families and our witness to remain obedient to the Lord's commandments. We have access to God through reconciliation with His Son. We have access to God through reconciliation with the Brethren. Only until we have reconciled ourselves to Christ can we escape the "prison" of hell described in these verses. Those who continue in a state of separation from God until death must remain in it through eternity. They shall not depart from it until they have paid the last penny or uttermost farthing.
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