Matthew 5:20 For I say to you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees… I. What is the nature of the righteousness God accepts from us? It is a righteousness in excess of the most scrupulous moralist. 1. A Christian righteousness exceeds a natural or Jewish in that it is positive and not negative. 2. All other righteousness does the orders of God: this does His will. Here lies the greater part of the Christian's obedience — in doing what he knows will please, though it was never laid down. 3. The motive is different. 4. As the moving power is within, so the righteousness is first an inward righteousness. 5. No wonder that such an inner righteousness when it is wrought out, goes very deep, and soars very high. It does not calculate how little it can do for God, but how much. 6. The righteousness of Christ is the exceeding righteousness; in this only can we stand before a holy God.(J. Vaughan, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. |
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