But I say unto you, That whosoever looks on a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart.
All Commentaries on Matthew 5:28 Go To Matthew 5
Jerome
AD 420
Between παθοςand προπαθεια,that is between actual passion and the first spontaneous movement of the mind, there is this difference: passion is at once a sin; the spontaneous movement of the mind, though it partakes of the evil of sin, is yet not held for an offence committed. When then one looks upon a woman, and his mind is therewith smitten, there is propassion; if he yields to this he passes from propassion to passion, and then it is no longer the will but the opportunity to sin that is wanting. “Whosoever,” then, “looketh on a woman tolust after her,” that is, so looks on her as to lust, and cast about to obtain, he is rightly said to commit adultery with her in his heart.
