The ability to distinguish between a person as such and his or her actions has long been a problem. St Augustine taught us that we must hate the sin but love the sinner. Not everyone can accept that principle and some feel there is some dishonesty in it. It is easy enough to hate the sin, but are we all so truly honest in our love for the sinner? As in many cases we are too easily caught in the apparent dilemma of truth and love and we sometimes lose the balance.

Though he does not speak in terms of love and hate, Jesus seems to be addressing a similar situation with regard to the Pharisees - People may have wondered: if they are such hypocrites, as Jesus claims, should we follow their teaching? Jesus tries to show a way forward: distinguish between their personal religious attitudes and their teaching of the divine law as God gave it through Moses.

They may have been rigid and uncompromising in the interpretation of the Law. They interpreted the Law in such a way as to make it burdensome and so left themselves open to Jesus' criticisms. But as teachers of the Law they are to be accepted. A sinner may indeed preach the Gospel authentically even if he does not live it perfectly.