Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Deuteronomy 30:14
But the word [is] very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it.
14. But the word is very nigh unto thee] So of God Himself, Deu 4:7, q.v., explained by what follows, in thy mouth and in thy heart (cp. Deu 6:6 f., Deu 11:18 f.), articulate, understood and familiar (especially after so much exposition of it!). The speaker does not add that it is ‘easy,’ but more justly and finely that it carries with it the conscience and provocation to its fulfilment by man: that thou mayest do it! (Cp. Isa 45:19 on the clearness, straightforwardness, and efficiency of God’s Word.) Cp. Jer 2:31. Another thought suggests itself. The local and domestic altars had been removed and God’s Presence fixed at the One Sanctuary. But in the Law Israel had received that which they could carry everywhere with them, and which touched their lives and touched them to the quick at all points.
On St Paul’s application of these words in the Law, to the Gospel in contrast with the Law, Rom 10:6-8, see Sanday and Headlam, Romans ( Intern. Crit. Comm.) 286 290 and Denney’s Romans ( Expositor’s Gk Test.) 670 f.: ‘It is irrelevant to point out that what the writer in Deut. means is that the law is not oppressive nor impracticable (as Paul in Deu 30:5 tacitly assumes it to be); the Apostle is not thinking in the least what the writer of Deut. meant; as the representative of the righteousness of faith he is putting his own thought his inspired conviction and experience of the Gospel into a free reproduction of these ancient inspired words. There is no impossible preliminary to be accomplished before the true religion is got under way The whole idea of the verses is that righteousness has not to be achieved but to be appropriated’ (Denney).
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 14. But the word is very nigh unto thee] The doctrine of salvation preached by the apostles; in thy mouth, the promises of redemption made by the prophets forming a part of every Jew’s creed; in thy heart – the power to believe with the heart unto righteousness, that the tongue may make confession unto salvation. In this way, it is evident, St. Paul understood these passages; see Ro 10:6-8, &c.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
In thy mouth; thou knowest it so well, that it is the matter of thy common discourse; thou professest thy knowledge and belief of it: or, in the months of thy priests and Levites, who are daily preaching of it, and instructing thee in it.
In thy heart, i.e. in thy mind, (as the heart is very commonly taken,) to understand and believe it.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
But the word [is] very nigh unto thee,…. In the ministration of it by those who clearly, plainly, and faithfully preach it, and in the application of it by the Spirit of God to the heart; and in the gracious experience converted persons have of the power and efficacy of it in them, and of the comfort they receive from it:
in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it; in the mouth by confession, being not ashamed to own it, and profess it before men; and in the heart, where it is come with power, has a place, and works effectually, and is cordially believed, and comfortably experienced; and when this is the case, its ordinances will be faithfully kept as delivered, and cheerfully submitted to.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
14. Nigh unto thee Augustine says these words direct our eyes to the New Testament. Compare Paul’s application of the passage in Rom 10:8.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Deu 30:14 But the word [is] very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it.
Ver. 14. Very nigh. ] Nigher than the skin is to the flesh, or the flesh to the bones; it is within thy nature, and shall be in thy heart, , an inbred or indwelling word. Jam 1:21
That thou mayest do it,
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
very: Eze 2:5, Eze 33:33, Luk 10:11, Luk 10:12, Joh 5:46, Act 13:26, Act 13:38-41, Act 28:23-28, Heb 2:1-3
mouth: Jer 12:2, Eze 33:31, Mat 7:21, Rom 10:8-10
Reciprocal: Exo 13:9 – may be Jos 1:8 – book Isa 51:5 – righteousness
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
30:14 But the {k} word [is] very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest {l} do it.
(k) Even the law and the gospel.
(l) By faith in Christ.