Overcoming anger

Read Matthew 5:21-26

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To have a righteousness greater than the Pharisees (5:20) would be impossible if it meant having – and keeping – even more rules and regulations than them. But it’s a greater righteousness because it goes beyond the letter of the law to the intended purpose behind it. He illustrates this with six particular examples.

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The sixth commandment, “You shall not murder” (Ex.20:13) is an essential law for all society. The problem with it is that it doesn’t go far enough. Murder stems from anger so for Jesus (“I tell you”) the meaning of this law extends to guarding against angry thoughts, deeds and words (22; 1 Jn.3:15). Christians are to be “slow to anger” (Jas.1:19). Sometimes anger is appropriate (Mk.3:5), but it must be controlled, in contrast to “fits of rage” (Gal.5:20,22; patience is literally long-tempered).

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So we need to deal with anger and ill-feeling as an urgent priority, whether it’s with our fellow Christians (23-24) or legal opponents (25). The kingdom qualities of being merciful and being peacemakers (5:7,9) are what equip and enable us to do this. Practising grace and forgiveness, we strive to maintain the bond of peace (Eph.4:3,32; Heb.12:14)