For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:
For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, х dialogismoi (G1261) poneeroi (G4190)] - 'evil reasonings;' referring here more immediately to those corrupt reasonings which had stealthily introduced and gradually reared up that hideous fabric of tradition which at length practically nullified the unchangeable principles of the moral law. But the statement is far broader than this, namely, that the first shape which the evil that is in the heart takes, when it begins actively to stir, is that of 'considerations' or 'reasonings' on evil that is in the heart takes, when it begins actively to stir, is that of 'considerations' or 'reasonings' on certain suggested actions.
Murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies, х blasfeemiai (G988)] - 'detractions,' whether directed against God or man: here the reference seems to be to the latter. Mark adds, "covetousnesses" х pleonexiai (G4124)] - or desires after more; "wickednesses" х poneeriai (G4189)] - here meaning, perhaps, 'malignities' of various form; "deceit, lasciviousness" х aselgeia (G766)] - meaning, 'excess' or 'enormity' of any kind, though by later writers restricted to lewdness; "an evil eye" - meaning, all looks or glances of envy, jealousy, or ill-will toward a neighbour; "pride, foolishness" х afroosunee (G877)] - in the Old Testament sense of "folly;" that is, criminal senselessness, the folly of the heart. How appalling is this black catalogue!