Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary Verse 8. Their heart is far from me.] The true worship of God consists in the union of the heart to him-where this exists not, a particle of the spirit of devotion cannot be found.
This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth] This clause, which is taken from Isa. xxix. 13, is omitted by several excellent MSS., and by several versions and fathers. Erasmus, Mill, Drusius, and Bengel, approve of the omission, and Griesbach has left it out of the text; but as I find it in the prophet, the place from which it is quoted, I dare not omit it, howsoever respectable the above authorities may appear.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-9 - Additions to God's laws reflect upon his wisdom, as if he had left ou something which was needed, and which man could supply; in one way of other they always lead men to disobey God. How thankful ought we to be for the written word of God! Never let us think that the religion of the Bible can be improved by any human addition, either in doctrine or practice. Our blessed Lord spoke of their traditions as inventions of their own, and pointed out one instance in which this was very clear that of their transgressing the fifth commandment. When a parent' wants called for assistance, they pleaded, that they had devoted to the temple all they could spare, even though they did not part with it, an therefore their parents must expect nothing from them. This was makin the command of God of no effect. The doom of hypocrites is put in little compass; "In vain do they worship me." It will neither pleas God, nor profit themselves; they trust in vanity, and vanity will be their recompence.
Greek Textus Receptus
εγγιζει 1448 5719 V-PAI-3S μοι 3427 P-1DS ο 3588 T-NSM λαος 2992 N-NSM ουτος 3778 D-NSM τω 3588 T-DSN στοματι 4750 N-DSN αυτων 846 P-GPM και 2532 CONJ τοις 3588 T-DPN χειλεσιν 5491 N-DPN με 3165 P-1AS τιμα 5091 5719 V-PAI-3S η 3588 T-NSF δε 1161 CONJ καρδια 2588 N-NSF αυτων 846 P-GPM πορρω 4206 ADV απεχει 568 5719 V-PAI-3S απ 575 PREP εμου 1700 P-1GS
Vincent's NT Word Studies
8. Is far (apecei). Lit., holds off from me.
