John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 2. Ye shall not add to the word which I command you, nether shall you diminish ought from it , etc.] Neither make new laws of their own, and join them to the law of God, and set them upon a level with it, or prefer them before it; as the Scribes and Pharisees did in Christ’s time, who by their traditions made the word of God of none effect, as do the Papists also by their unwritten traditions; nor abrogate nor detract from the law of God, nor make void any part of it: or else the sense is, neither do that which is forbidden, nor neglect that which is commanded; neither be guilty of sins of omission nor commission, nor in any way break the law of God, and teach men so to do by word or by example; not a jot or tittle is either to be put to it, or taken from it, ( Proverbs 30:5,6 Matthew 5:18,19 Revelation 22:18,19) that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God, which I command you ; in his name; or which he delivered unto them as his commandments, and which were to be kept just as they were delivered, without adding to them, or taking from them.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-23 - The power and love of God to Israel are here made the ground and reaso of a number of cautions and serious warnings; and although there is much reference to their national covenant, yet all may be applied to those who live under the gospel. What are laws made for but to be observed and obeyed? Our obedience as individuals cannot meri salvation; but it is the only evidence that we are partakers of the gift of God, which is eternal life through Jesus Christ, Considerin how many temptations we are compassed with, and what corrupt desires we have in our bosoms, we have great need to keep our hearts with all diligence. Those cannot walk aright, who walk carelessly. Moses charge particularly to take heed of the sin of idolatry. He shows how weak the temptation would be to those who thought aright; for these pretende gods, the sun, moon, and stars, were only blessings which the Lor their God had imparted to all nations. It is absurd to worship them shall we serve those that were made to serve us? Take heed lest y forget the covenant of the Lord your God. We must take heed lest at an time we forget our religion. Care, caution, and watchfulness, are help against a bad memory.
Original Hebrew לא3808 תספו3254 על5921 הדבר1697 אשׁר834 אנכי595 מצוה6680 אתכם853 ולא3808 תגרעו1639 ממנו4480 לשׁמר8104 את853 מצות4687 יהוה3068 אלהיכם430 אשׁר834 אנכי595 מצוה6680 אתכם׃853
