Luke 12:2-5 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

For there is nothing covered, &c. All your actions shall be brought to light, either in this world or in the next. Wherefore take great care never to do any thing which cannot bear the light, but let the whole of your behaviour be fair, honest, and good. This argument against hypocrisy he proceeded to improve as a reason for their acquiring another quality, which would serve all the ends they could propose by their hypocrisy, and to much better purpose; an undaunted resolution in the performance of their duty, founded on faith in God, who now governs the world by a particular providence, and in the end will reward or punish every man according to his deeds. I say unto you, my friends With all possible seriousness, and tender concern for your everlasting welfare; Be not afraid of them that kill the body Let not the fear of man make you act the hypocrite, or conceal any thing which I have commissioned you to publish: and after that have no more that they can do The immortal soul being entirely out of their reach. But I will forewarn you Greek, υποδειξω υμιν, I will show you; whom you shall fear Whose displeasure you shall be afraid to incur; fear him, which after he hath killed the body, hath power to cast into hell Is able to torment the soul eternally, and whose displeasure, therefore, is infinitely to be dreaded. Yea, I say unto you, Fear him And rather choose to venture on the greatest dangers, and to sacrifice your lives, than to do any thing which may offend his Divine Majesty. See on Matthew 10:28. It is remarkable that Christ gives this direction even to his peculiar friends: therefore the fearing of God, as having power to cast into hell, is to be pressed even upon true believers.