John Calvin Commentary Matthew 7:12

"All things therefore whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, even so do ye also unto them: for this is the law and the prophets." — Matthew 7:12 (ASV)

All things whatsoever you would wish. The word therefore (οὖν) is superfluous, as we often find such particles occurring in detached sentences without adding to the sense.⁴⁶⁷ I have already said that Matthew does not present a single discourse here, but a summary of doctrine collected from many sermons. We must, therefore, read this sentence by itself. It is an exhortation to his disciples to be just and contains a short and simple definition of what justice means. We are informed here that the only reason so many quarrels exist in the world, and why men inflict so many injuries on one another, is that they knowingly and willingly trample justice under their feet, while every man rigidly demands that it be maintained toward himself.

When our own advantage is concerned, there is not one of us who cannot explain minutely and ingeniously what should be done. And since every man shows himself to be a skillful teacher of justice for his own advantage, how is it that the same knowledge does not readily occur to him when the profit or loss of another is at stake? Is it not because we wish to be wise for ourselves only, and no man cares about his neighbors? What is more, we maliciously and purposely shut our eyes to the rule of justice, which shines in our hearts. Christ therefore shows that every man can be a rule for acting properly and justly toward his neighbors, if he does to others what he requires to be done to himself. He thus refutes all the vain pretenses which men contrive for hiding or disguising their injustice. Perfect justice would undoubtedly prevail among us if we were as faithful in learning active charity, (if we may use the expression,) as we are skillful in teaching passive charity.⁴⁶⁸

For this is the law and the prophets. Our Lord does not intend to say that this is the only point of doctrine laid down in the law and the prophets, but that all the precepts they contain about charity, and all the laws and exhortations found in them about maintaining justice, relate to this. The meaning is that the second table of the law is fulfilled when every man conducts himself toward others in the same manner as he wishes them to conduct themselves toward him. There is no need, he tells us, for long and involved debates if this simplicity is preserved, and if men do not, through inordinate self-love, efface the rectitude that is engraved on their hearts.

⁴⁶⁷ Greek proverbs, even when exhibited in a detached form, are frequently introduced by ἀλλὰ and γὰρ, and similar particles, instances of which must be familiar to the classical reader. ̔Αλλ ᾿ οὐ τὸ μέγα ευ ἐστι, τὸ δὲ εὖ μέγα. “But not what is great is excellent, but what is excellent is great.” ́̔Ινα γὰρ δέος, ἔνθα καὶ αἰδὼς” not what is great is excellent, but what is excellent is great.” ́̔Ινα γὰρ δέος, ἔνθα καὶ αἰδὼς” For where fear is, there also is shame.” Πόνος γὰρ ὡς λέγουσιν, εὐκλεϊης, πατὴρ. “For labor, as they say, is the father of glory. The fact chiefly to be noticed here is, that such particles came to be regarded as a part of the proverb, and were hardly ever separated from it: though their use must originally have been elliptical, like that of γὰρ, which opens many a reply in Greek dialogues. — where fear is, there also is shame.” Πόνος γὰρ ὡς λέγουσιν, εὐκλεϊης, πατὴρ. “For labor, as they say, is the father of glory. The fact chiefly to be noticed here is, that such particles came to be regarded as a part of the proverb, and were hardly ever separated from it: though their use must originally have been elliptical, like that of γὰρ, which opens many a reply in Greek dialogues. — Ed.

⁴⁶⁸ “Si nous estions aussi bons disciples a prattiquer la charite active (si ainsi faut dire) comme nous sommes subtils docteurs a prescher la charite passive.” — “If we were as good scholars in practising .” — “If we were as good scholars in practising active charity, (if I may so express it,) as we are dexterous instructors in preaching charity, (if I may so express it,) as we are dexterous instructors in preaching passive charity.”charity.”