God’s Image Study • Commandment 6: You Shall Not Murder
Our examination has followed hatred, persecution, and false testimony. In Matthew 5, Jesus brings the command against murder directly into our relationship with a brother.
He begins with the command:
“YOU SHALL NOT MURDER”
— Matthew 5:21, LSB, excerpt
The capitalized words refer back to Exodus 20:13 and Deuteronomy 5:17. Jesus then addresses anger and the words spoken against another person.
Before a physical killing
In verse 22, ὀργιζόμενος — orgizomenos, from ὀργίζω — orgizō (G3710), describes being angry. The person named in the sentence is angry with his brother, and Jesus places that anger under judgment. Examine Matthew 5:22 in Greek.
The verse also addresses speech: Ῥακά — Raca, an expression of contempt, and Μωρέ — mōre, addressing someone as a fool. The LSB footnote explains Raca as an Aramaic expression meaning “empty-head.” Read Matthew 5:22 and its footnote.
Jesus does not require a physical killing to have occurred before addressing guilt in this passage. Anger toward a brother and contemptuous speech are already part of his warning.
Notice who has something against whom
Jesus next describes someone presenting an offering who remembers that his brother has something against him. The instruction directs that person to interrupt the offering and address the relationship. Read Matthew 5:23–24.
That detail matters. The person is called to consider his brother’s grievance, not merely his own.
First, then
The Greek διαλλάγηθι — diallagēthi, from διαλλάσσω — diallassō (G1259), is the command to be reconciled.
Two other words preserve the sequence:
πρῶτον — prōton: first.
τότε — tote: then.
First comes reconciliation with the brother; then comes returning to present the offering. Examine Matthew 5:24 in Greek.
The offering does not remove the responsibility to address the relationship. Jesus gives a concrete action to take.
Hearing must become doing
James places hearing, speech, and anger together. He instructs his readers to listen readily, speak slowly, and be slow to anger, explaining that human anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness. He then directs them to receive the word and put it into practice. Read James 1:19–22.
Verse 26 also connects an uncontrolled tongue with self-deception and worthless religion. Our speech belongs within the examination of what we claim to follow. Read James 1:26.
As we consider this commandment, we can ask: What am I allowing anger to produce in my words, and what responsibility toward my brother have I left unattended?
Threads to Follow
Love and the tongue: Compare blessing God with cursing people. James 3:9–12.
Peace and responsibility: Examine what depends on us in pursuing peace. Romans 12:17–21.
Love beyond agreement: Continue into Jesus’ instruction concerning enemies and persecutors. Matthew 5:43–48.
The books were opened…
🌿 By Maria Emilia
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