Albert Barnes Commentary Matthew 10:32-34

"Every one therefore who shall confess me before men, him will I also confess before my Father who is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father who is in heaven. Think not that I came to send peace on the earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword." — Matthew 10:32-34 (ASV)

Whosoever therefore shall confess me, etc. The same word, in the original, is translated confess and profess (1 Timothy 6:12–13; 2 John 1:7; Romans 10:10).

It means, to acknowledge the Lord Jesus Christ, our dependence on him for salvation, and our attachment to him in every proper manner. This profession may be made by uniting with a church, at the communion, in conversation, and in conduct.

The Scriptures mean, by a profession of religion, an exhibition of it in every circumstance of life and before all men. It is not merely in one act that we must do it, but in every act.

We must be ashamed neither of the person, the character, the doctrines, nor the requirements of Christ. If we are ashamed—if we deny him in these things before men, or are unwilling to express our attachment to him in every way possible—then it is right that he should disown all connection with us, or deny us, before God. And he will do it.