Matthew Henry Commentary Matthew 5:17-20

"Think not that I came to destroy the law or the prophets: I came not to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass away from the law, till all things be accomplished. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say unto you, that except your righteousness shall exceed [the righteousness] of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no wise enter into the kingdom of heaven." — Matthew 5:17-20 (ASV)

Let no one suppose that Christ allows his people to trifle with any commands of God's holy law. No sinner partakes of Christ's justifying righteousness until he repents of his evil deeds. The mercy revealed in the gospel leads the believer to still deeper self-abhorrence.

The law is the Christian's rule of duty, and he delights in it. If anyone, pretending to be Christ's disciple, encourages himself in any allowed disobedience to the holy law of God, or teaches others to do the same, whatever his station or reputation among people may be, he cannot be a true disciple.

Christ's righteousness, imputed to us by faith alone, is needed by everyone who enters the kingdom of grace or of glory; but the new creation of the heart to holiness produces a thorough change in a person's temperament and conduct.