Thine adversary] The injured brother of Matthew 5:22 is now represented under the figure of a creditor who has power to bring the debtor before the judge, and to cause him to be cast into prison. Prison] i.e. divine punishment in general, whether in this world or beyond the grave in the intermediate state (Hades), from which release was regarded as possible (Matthew 12:32). Not, however, in hell (Gehenna), from which there is no release (Matthew 18:8). The idea is that God will exact the full penalty for all offences against the law of love. In 1 Peter 3:19; 'prison' refers exclusively to punishment in the intermediate state: cp. Judges 1:6.

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