Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. (14) For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
Here is the finishing sentence of this whole sermon of Solomon. And in it we have the epitome of the Bible. The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. And this fear is sometimes put for the whole of vital godliness. I will put my fear in their hearts, saith God (respecting the everlasting covenant), that they shall not depart from me. Jeremiah 32:40. And that this fear, which is a child-like filial fear, includes the whole of our gracious habits, in relation to our interest in the covenant, is evident from what our Lord told the Jews in answer to their question of obedience. What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? said they. Jesus answered, and said unto him, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. John 6:29. Hence Solomon's conclusion corresponds to the gospel. The fear of God in the belief of him whom God hath sent, is the whole of man. And the judgment by the Son of man, is to determine it. For all judgment is committed unto the Son, that all men should honor the Son even as they honor the Father. He that honoreth not the Son, honoreth not the Father which hath sent him. John 5:22-23.