Комментарии к Библии

Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.

Therefore thou art inexcusable — Though thou have no pleasure in them that do evil, as Romans 1:32 , but dost superciliously censure them, being thyself otherwise as bad. Cato is said to have exercised usury, to have prostituted his wife, to have slain himself. God often sets a Noverint universi "let it be known to the whole world" upon the world’s wizards, for the foulest fools.

return to '

But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.

Which commit such — As Cato, Romans 2:1 , whom yet Velleius affirmeth to have been hominem virtuti simillimum. But God judgeth not as man.

return to '

And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?

Thinkest thou — This is preaching to the conscience, to the quick. Our exhortations should be as forked arrows to stick in men’s hearts; and not wound only, as other arrows. A poor hermit came to our Richard I, A. D. 1195, and preaching to him the words of eternal life, bade him be mindful of the subversion of Sodom, and to abstain from things unlawful: otherwise, said he, the deserved vengeance of God will come upon thee. The hermit being gone, the king neglected his words. But afterwards falling sick, he more seriously bethought himself, and waxing sound in soul as well as in body, he grew more devout, and charitable to the poor. (Hoveden. Speed.)

return to '

Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?

The goodness of God — Gr. το χρηστον , his native goodness, ready to be employed to the behoof and benefit of the creature, Titus 3:4 . Now as the beam of the sun shining on fire doth discourage the burning of that; so the shining of God’s mercies on us should dishearten and extinguish lust in us. This is so equal and needful a duty, that Peter picks this flower out of Paul’s garden, as one of the choicest, and urgeth it upon those to whom he writes, 2 Peter 3:15 .

return to '

But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;

Treasurest up unto thyself — Sicut mittentes pecuniam in gazophylacium, quod, ubi iam impletur, confringitur, saith Stella upon Luke. In treasuring, there Isaiah 1:1-31 . Laying in; 2. Lying hidden; 3. Bringing out again, as there is occasion. Wicked persons, while by following their lusts they think they do somewhat to their happiness, shall in the end find, pro thesauro carbones, those burning coals, Psalms 140:10 .

return to '

Who will render to every man according to his deeds:

Who shall render — The Papists hence infer merit of works. But it is well observed that the Church in the Canticles is nowhere described by the beauty of her hands, or fingers. Christ concealeth the mention of her hands, that is, of her works (Cotton on Canticles): 1. Because he had rather his Church should abound in good works in silence than boast of them (especially when they are wanting), as Rome doth. 2. Because it is he above that worketh all our works for us, Isaiah 26:12 ; Hosea 14:4 ; John 15:5 . Certum est nos facere quod facimus; sed ille facit, ut faciamus. (Augustine.) We do what we do; but it is he that causeth us so to do. See Trapp on " Matthew 16:27 "

return to '

To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:

Who by patient continuance — Or, by suffering persecution for righteousness’ sake. Gordus the martyr said, "It is to my loss, if you bate me anything in nay sufferings." Maiora certamina, maiora sequuntur praemia, οπου πλειων κοπος, πολυ κερδος , saith Ignatius. Much pains hath much gains.

return to '

But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,

But unto them that are contentious — That wrangle and thwartle against clearest truths, searching the devil’s skull for carnal arguments, as those Athenians,Acts 17:16-21; Acts 17:16-21 ; being refractory as Pharaoh, who would not sit down under the miracle, but sent for the magicians. And though the word doth eat up all they say, as Moses’s rod did, yet harden they their hearts, as Pharaoh, and resolve to curse, as Balaam, whatever come of it. These are those contentious ones, εξ εριθειας .

return to '