Matthew 7:12 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Therefore, all things, &c.— The Ουν , Therefore, is by no means a mere expletive in this passage, for there is a force in the connection beyond what has been generally observed. Because our Saviour was referring his hearers, observes Macknight, to what passed within themselves, he took occasionto engraft upon those feelings one of the noblest, plainest pieces of morality, which Doddridge thus connects with the preceding verses: "Being animated, therefore, by his goodness, study to express your gratitude for it, byyour integrity and kindness to your fellow-creatures; and take it as a most sacred rule, All things, &c. Treat men in every instance just as you would think it reasonable to be treated by them, if you were in their circumstances, and they in yours; for this is in effect the summary and abstract of all the humane and social virtues recommended in the moral precepts of the law and the prophets, and it was one of the greatest ends of both to bring men to this humane [divine] and equitable temper: I say one of the greatest, that this may be reconciled with our Lord's declaring the love of God to be the first and great commandment, ch. Matthew 22:37-38. And it is indeed a most absurd and fatal error to imagine, that the regulation of social life is the only end of religion." We may just observe, that this precept, which includes in it the rules of equity, justice, and even of charity, was familiar to the Jews, and one of theirmaxims. See Tob 4:15. And a similar precept has been delivered by several heathens writers; many quotations from whom the reader will find by referring to Grotius and Wetstein on the place. Thus far proceeds the doctrinal part of the sermon: the exhortation to practise it begins at the next verse. See Bengelius. The reader will find in Bishop Atterbury and Dr. Evans's Discourses the sense, reasonableness, and use of this golden law illustrated in a manner which deserves the most attentive perusal.