Matthew 5:19

Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments.

The commandments of the law were the law of God until they were replaced by the new code given through Christ. He who violated the least of these, and taught others to do so, showed. spirit that would unfit him for exaltation in the kingdom of heaven. The Lord intended by these words to correct an error into which the Pharisees led the people. They divided the precepts of the law into lesser and greater, teaching that they who violated the former were guilty only of. trivial offence. The Romish church is guilty of the same error in distinguishing between mortal and venial sins. Where all are of equal obligation there can be no less and greater. When Protestants divide the commands of God into essential and non-essential they commit the same error.

Least in the kingdom of heaven.

The Savior does not deny. humble place in the kingdom to those who honestly stumble in this respect, but they shall be the very least, babes, never arriving at the full stature, or participants of its highest honors and blessings. Obedience under the law was an index to what. man would be under Christ. The text shows that the relative greatness of persons in the kingdom of heaven is measured by their consciousness with reference to the least commandments. To the great commandments, as men classify them, even very small Christians may be obedient; but it requires the most tender conscience to be always scrupulous about the least commandments.-- McGarvey. This passage shows that, while the kingdom of heaven has no castes, and all have, therefore, the same opportunities, it has degrees. Those who are most conscientiously obedient will stand highest;--not those who say, "Lord, Lord," but those who do the will of the Lord.