WHAT A DIFFERENCE THE A MAKES!

Yes, the change of a single letter in a key word can make a world of difference.  This became clear to me when I read a 600-year old story, an account from Chaucer's Canterbury Tales.  That single letter change puts a frame around all our morality.

In Chaucer's bawdy story of the Wife Of Bath, he has the wife defending her love life thus: "The Apostle Paul did not COMMAND virginity before marriage - he COMMENDED it!" So she regards Paul's words as a suggestion, not a moral demand.

The consequences of that distinction are enormous.  For if you act obediently to some authority, you are not responsible for your action.  If you are a soldier commanded to burn a village and shoot any escapees, you cannot be held guilty.  If you act on a suggestion, a commendation, you are responsible! 

Jesus was clearly aware of this difference.  When Peter asked Jesus "Who are you?", Jesus asked "Whom do you say that I am?". And when Pilate asked him if He was king of the Jews, He  replied, "You have said so.". He did not say "You must be a peacemaker" but "Blessed are the peacemakers.". He did not define the Kingdom of Heaven but rather opened the way: "Seek first the kingdom of God and these things shall be added to you."

Jesus made it clear again and again: we are led, beckoned, challenged, advised -- but never ordered!  Commended but not commanded. We are personally responsible for our moral choices. Jesus shed light on what He considered Godly, but He left the decisions to us.