Matthew Henry on Exodus 20:1-2

Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · Matthew Henry · CC0 1.0 Universal

God speaks many ways to the children of men; by conscience, by providences, by his voice, to all which we ought carefully to attend; but he never spake at any time so as he spake the TEN COMMANDMENTS.

This law God had given to man before; it was written in his heart; but sin so defaced it, that it was necessary to revive the knowledge of it. The law is spiritual, and takes knowledge of the secret thoughts, desires, and dispositions of the heart.

Its grand demand is love, without which outward obedience is mere hypocrisy. It requires perfect, unfailing, constant obedience; no law in the world admits disobedience to itself. Whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all, Jas 2:10.

Whether in the heart or the conduct, in thought, word, or deed, to omit or to vary any thing, is sin, and the wages of sin is death.

More for Exodus 20:1-2

Continue with other commentaries and DiscipleDeck content connected to this verse, chapter, or topic.

Other commentaries

The Ten Commandments. (b. c. 1491.)Exodus 20:1-11 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleTHE TEN COMMANDMENTS. (B. C. 1491.) Here is, I. The preface of the law-writer, Moses: God spoke all these words, Exodus 20:1. The law of the ten commandments is, 1. A law of God's making. They are enjoined by the infini…The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 20:1-17Exodus 20:1-17 · The Pulpit CommentaryEXPOSITION THE DELIVERY OF THE MORAL LAW. Every necessary preparation had now been made. The priests, as well as the people, had "sanctified themselves." A wholesome dread of "breaking" through the fence, and "touching"…The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 20:1Exodus 20:1 · The Pulpit CommentaryGod spake all these words. It has been suggested that Moses derived the Decalogue from Egypt, by summarising the chief points of the Egyptian teaching as to the duty of man. But neither the second, nor the fourth, nor t…The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 20:1-17Exodus 20:1-17 · The Pulpit CommentaryThe ten commandments collectivety. The ten commandments form a summary of our main duties towards God, and towards man. They stand out from the rest of the Old Testament in a remarkable way. 1. They were uttered audibly…The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 20:1-17Exodus 20:1-17 · The Pulpit CommentaryThe ten commandments severally. THE FIRST COMMANDMENT. To the Christian the First Commandment takes the form which our Lord gave it—"Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all-thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with a…The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 20:1Exodus 20:1 · The Pulpit CommentaryThe moral law-Preliminary. The law given from Sinai is the moral law by pre-eminence. The principles which it embodies are of permanent obligation. It is a brief summary of the whole compass of our duty to God and man.…

commentaryThe Ten Commandments. (b. c. 1491.)THE TEN COMMANDMENTS. (B. C. 1491.) Here is, I. The preface of the law-writer, Moses: God spoke all these words, Exodus 20:1. The law of the ten commandments is, 1. A law of God's making. They are enjoined by the infini…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 20:1-17The ten commandments collectivety. The ten commandments form a summary of our main duties towards God, and towards man. They stand out from the rest of the Old Testament in a remarkable way. 1. They were uttered audibly…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 20:1-2Utility of a course of teaching on the commandments, that Divine law which can never be destroyed. Let those who object to the preaching of morality remember John Wesley's words: "I find more profit in sermons on either…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 20:1-17The ten commandments severally. THE FIRST COMMANDMENT. To the Christian the First Commandment takes the form which our Lord gave it—"Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all-thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with a…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 20:1The moral law-Preliminary. The law given from Sinai is the moral law by pre-eminence. The principles which it embodies are of permanent obligation. It is a brief summary of the whole compass of our duty to God and man.…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 20:1-18The moral law-General survey. View this law of the ten commandments as— I. AUTHORITATIVELY DELIVERED. "God spake all these words, saying," etc. (Exodus 20:1). An authoritative revelation of moral law was necessary— 1. T…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 20:1God spake all these words. It has been suggested that Moses derived the Decalogue from Egypt, by summarising the chief points of the Egyptian teaching as to the duty of man. But neither the second, nor the fourth, nor t…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 20:1-17EXPOSITION THE DELIVERY OF THE MORAL LAW. Every necessary preparation had now been made. The priests, as well as the people, had "sanctified themselves." A wholesome dread of "breaking" through the fence, and "touching"…Joseph S. Exell and contributors