issue words as offensive and pestiferous as the tainted breath of an open grave ; or, what from the next clause may appear probable, ' their throat is always open, and ready to devour like the insatiable and insidious grave.' They injure by deceit and slander, which is the poison of asps. Their mouth is full of cursing and bitterness, i. e. of bitter execration, expressive of malignity towards men, and impiety towards God.
(15 — 17) Contain the arguments for the apostle's doctrine, derived from the prevalence of sins of violence. Their feet are swift to shed blood y they frequently, and without compunction, commit murder and violence. Destruction and misery are in their ways, i. e. mark their path. The way of peace they have not known. * The way of peace' means the way which leads to peace or happiness. Here the happiness of others is principally intended. * They do not pursue that course which is productive of happiness.' This clause, therefore, includes all the manifestations of an evil heart, which are seen in the numberless ways in which men injure their fellow-creatures.
(18) Is again a general declaration of unrestrained wickedness. There is no fear of God before their eyes. They are not actuated by any regard to the will or displeasure of God. Religious considerations have no force in the government of their conduct.
(19) JVow we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them thai are under the law. The Hebrew word usually translated law means instruction, and is used for any intimation of the will of God designed for the direction of men ; see Isa. 1:10. 8:16. Prov. 1 : 8, &c. &c. It depends on the context whether reference be had to the general rule of duty which he has prescribed, or to some one of its parts more or less extended. In like manner the apostle uses the corresponding Greek word almost uniformly in the sense of the rule of duty ; whether written in the heart, contained in the whole of the Scriptures of the Old Testa- ment, or in some of its parts. It is generally easy, from the context, to determine what law, or rather what part of the law, or rule of duty, he has in each case specially in view. Here it is obvious that the law means the Scriptures which contain the will of God revealed for our obedience. These passages quoted above are taken not from the Penta- teuch, or law, in its more restricted sense, but from the Psalms and pro- phets; see John 10 : 34. 1 Cor. 14: 21, &c. Those who are under the law, see 2 : 12. 1 Cor. 9 : 20. ' What the Scriptures say concerning the character of men, they must be understood as saying of those to whom they are specially directed.' The Jews cannot pretend that the passages quoted above have reference to the Gentiles ; being found in their own law, and addressed to them, they must be considered as indicating the light in which their character and conduct were viewed by God.
That every mouth may be stopped, i. e. that men may be deprived of all excuse, completely reduced to silence. .And the whole world become guilty before God. The word rendered guilty is applied to one who has lost his cause, or who has been convicted, or found guilty. The result,