19. The goodman. Literally, “the man.” The husband is meant. “Goodman” is an archaic word meaning “master of the house,” or “husband” (see Matt. 20:11).
Not at home. A strong element of temptation is introducedâthe idea of safety from discovery. Without the restraint imposed by fear of detection and punishment, the condition of society would be much worse than it is. Few in these days are restrained by the working of the Holy Spirit upon the heart (see Gen. 6:5). In this degenerate age, when man is weak and sin is strong, the people of God must make wisdom and understanding their close companions and draw so near to the Saviour that the very thought of sin will be quickly expelled from the mind (2 Cor. 10:5).
However, sin that is avoided merely through fear of detection still pollutes the soul (see on Matt. 5:28). In this statement from the Sermon on the Mount Jesus does not mean to imply that temptation itself is sin. But if the condition of the soul is such that the tempted one would indulge in the sin if he had the opportunity, that condition itself is sin. Sin is lack of conformity with the law of God, whether in act, disposition, or state. Someone has aptly remarked that character may be evaluated by what a man would do if he knew that he would never be found out.