Ver 22.
On some have compassion, making a distinction,
On some have compassion. That is, of such who have gone
astray, being drawn aside; who are simple and ignorant, and out of
the way; who sin through infirmity, and the force of temptation; and
who are tractable and open to conviction, and whose mistakes are in
lesser matters of religion; as also such who are convicted and
wounded in their consciences for their sins and mistakes: and to
these compassion is to be shown, by praying with them, and for them,
with ardency and affection; instructing them in meekness; giving
friendly and brotherly reproofs to them; expressing on all occasions
a tender concern for their good; doing them all the good that can be
done, both for their souls and bodies: and good reason there is why
compassion should be shown them, because God is a God of compassion;
Christ is a merciful high priest; a contrary spirit is grieving to
the Holy Ghost; saints should consider what they themselves were,
and what they now are, and that compassion has been shown to them,
and they may want it again. The Alexandrian copy, and some others,
and the Vulgate Latin and Ethiopic versions, read, "reprove".
Making a distinction. Between one and another; using some
more tenderly, others more severely, as the nature and circumstances
of their case appear to be. The Syriac version renders the whole,
"when they repent, have compassion on them".
Ver 23.
and some save, snatching them out of the fire with fear, hating
even the clothing stained by the flesh.
And some save. Meaning false teachers, who lead others into
errors, and such as give themselves over unto sin, whether teachers
or hearers, and who are obstinate and irreclaimable; even such as
these, means should be used to save, if possible, by sharp
admonitions and severe language; by denouncing the awful judgments
of God, which threaten them; by inflicting on them church censures
in a terrible manner; by declaring the terrors of the Lord, and of
hell, and of everlasting damnation.
Snatching them out of the fire with fear. Of their soul
destroying doctrines, and of their filthy and unnatural lusts, and
as it were out of the fire of hell, of which they are in great
danger.
Hating even the clothing stained by the flesh. By which may
be meant the conversation of those men, even their filthy
conversation, which is to be hated, though their persons are not;
but all ways and means should be used to save them; and this is one
way, by showing a dislike unto, and a resentment at their wicked way
of living, excluding them from church communion for it, and shunning
all conversation with them. The allusion is not to garments defiled
by profluvious persons, or menstruous women, as some think, but to
garments spotted with nocturnal pollutions, or through unnatural
lusts, which these persons were addicted to l. It was reckoned very
dishonourable for religious persons, in the time of divine service,
or on a sabbath day, to have on a garment spotted with any thing; if
a priest's garments were spotted, and he performed service in them,
that service was not right m; and if a disciple of a wise man had
any grease on his garments (on a sabbath day), he was guilty of
death.
Ver 22. On some have compassion, making a distinction,
On some have compassion. That is, of such who have gone astray, being drawn aside; who are simple and ignorant, and out of the way; who sin through infirmity, and the force of temptation; and who are tractable and open to conviction, and whose mistakes are in lesser matters of religion; as also such who are convicted and wounded in their consciences for their sins and mistakes: and to these compassion is to be shown, by praying with them, and for them, with ardency and affection; instructing them in meekness; giving friendly and brotherly reproofs to them; expressing on all occasions a tender concern for their good; doing them all the good that can be done, both for their souls and bodies: and good reason there is why compassion should be shown them, because God is a God of compassion; Christ is a merciful high priest; a contrary spirit is grieving to the Holy Ghost; saints should consider what they themselves were, and what they now are, and that compassion has been shown to them, and they may want it again. The Alexandrian copy, and some others, and the Vulgate Latin and Ethiopic versions, read, "reprove".
Making a distinction. Between one and another; using some more tenderly, others more severely, as the nature and circumstances of their case appear to be. The Syriac version renders the whole, "when they repent, have compassion on them".
Ver 23. and some save, snatching them out of the fire with fear, hating even the clothing stained by the flesh.
And some save. Meaning false teachers, who lead others into errors, and such as give themselves over unto sin, whether teachers or hearers, and who are obstinate and irreclaimable; even such as these, means should be used to save, if possible, by sharp admonitions and severe language; by denouncing the awful judgments of God, which threaten them; by inflicting on them church censures in a terrible manner; by declaring the terrors of the Lord, and of hell, and of everlasting damnation.
Snatching them out of the fire with fear. Of their soul destroying doctrines, and of their filthy and unnatural lusts, and as it were out of the fire of hell, of which they are in great danger.
Hating even the clothing stained by the flesh. By which may be meant the conversation of those men, even their filthy conversation, which is to be hated, though their persons are not; but all ways and means should be used to save them; and this is one way, by showing a dislike unto, and a resentment at their wicked way of living, excluding them from church communion for it, and shunning all conversation with them. The allusion is not to garments defiled by profluvious persons, or menstruous women, as some think, but to garments spotted with nocturnal pollutions, or through unnatural lusts, which these persons were addicted to l. It was reckoned very dishonourable for religious persons, in the time of divine service, or on a sabbath day, to have on a garment spotted with any thing; if a priest's garments were spotted, and he performed service in them, that service was not right m; and if a disciple of a wise man had any grease on his garments (on a sabbath day), he was guilty of death.