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  • Writer's pictureBill Schwartz

The Sixth Commandment

Updated: Apr 28, 2020


Exodus 20:13 “You shalt not kill.”

Jesus said,“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.”(Matthew 5:21-23) So this commandment does not "forbid our necessary defence, or the magistrates putting offenders to death; but it forbids all malice and hatred to any, for 'he that hateth his brother is a murderer', and all revenge arising therefrom; likewise anger, and hurt said or done, or aimed to be done, in a passion; of this our Saviour expounds this commandment.” (Joseph Benson)

“Here again is a moral precept included in all codes, and placed by all in a prominent position. Our first duty towards our neighbour is to respect his life. When Cain slew Abel, he could scarcely have known what he was doing; yet a terrible punishment was awarded him for his transgression (Gen 4:11-14). After the flood, the solemn declaration was made, which thenceforward became a universal law among mankind—‘Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man’(Genesis 9:6). In the world that followed the flood, all races of men had the tradition that only blood could expiate blood. In the few places where there was an organised government, and a systematic administration of justice, the State acted on the principle, and punished the murderer capitally. Elsewhere, among tribes and races which had not vet coalesced into states, the law of blood-revenge obtained, and the inquisition for blood became a private affair. The next of kin was the recognised ‘avenger,’ upon whom it devolved to hunt out the murderer and punish him. Here the sin is simply and emphatically denounced, the brevity of the precept increasing its force. The Israelites are told that to take life is a crime. God forbids it. As usual, no exceptions are made. Exceptions appear later on (Num 35:22-25; Deut 4:42; etc.); but the first thing is to establish the principle. Human life is sacred. Man is not to shed the blood of his fellow-man. If he does, of his hand will the life taken surely be required.” (Pulpit Commentaries)

And in the end-time judgment, life will even be required of us if we harbor hatred. So, let us forgive trespasses against us and rather than wishing or seeking ill on others, we should be seeking their salvation. When people in the church sin against us or others, let us through the body of Christ, seek their reconciliation with God and "deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus." (1Corinthians 5:2-5)


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