how he himself acted in relation to this subject. And not to please our' selves ,• we are not to do every thing- which we may have a right to do and make our own gratification the rule by which we exercise our Chris- tian liberty.
(2) Let each one of us please his neighbour, for his good to edifica- tion. The principle which is stated negatively at the close of the pre- ceding verse, is here stated affirmatively. We are not to please our- selves, but others ; the law of love is to regulate our conduct ; we are not simply to ask what is right in itself, or what is agreeable, but what is benevolent and pleasing to our brethren. The object which we should have in view in accommodating ourselves to others, however, is their good. For good to edification most probably means with a view to his good, so that he may be edified. The latter words, to edification, are, therefore, explanatory of the former; the good we should contemplate is their religious improvement; which is the sense in which Paul frequently uses the word edification; ch. 14: 19. 2 Cor. 10: 8. Eph. 4: 12, 29. It is not, therefore, a weak compliance with the wishes of others to which Paul exhorts us, but to the exercise of an enlightened benevolence ; to such compliances as have the design and tendency to promote the spi- ritual welfare of our neighbour.
(3) For even Christ pleased not himself hut as it is loritten, The re- proaches of them that reproached thee fell on me. * For even Christ, so infinitely exalted above all Christians, was perfectly disinterested and condescending.' The example of Christ is constantly held up, not merely as a model, but a motive. The disinterestedness of Christ is here illustrated by a reference to the fact, that he suffered not for himself, but for the glory of God. The sorrow which he felt was, not on account of his own privations and injuries, but zeal for God's service consumed him, and it was the dishonour which was cast on God that broke his heart. The simple point to be illustrated is the disinterestedness of Christ, the fact that he did not please himself. And this is most affect- ingly done by saying, in the language of the psalmist (Ps. 69 : 9), " The zeal of thy house hath eaten me up ; and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me ;" that is, such was my zeal for thee, that the reproaches cast on thee I felt as if directed against myself. This psalm is so frequently quoted and applied to Christ in the New Testa- ment, that it must be considered as directly prophetical. Compare John 2 : 17. 15 : 25. 19 : 28. Acts 1 : 20.
(4) For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we, through patience and comfort of the scriptures, might have hope. The object of this verse is not so much to show the propriety of applying the passage quoted from the Psalms to Christ, as to show that the facts recorded in the Scriptures are designed for our instruction. The character of Christ is there portrayed, that we may fol- low his example, and imbibe his spirit. The words through patience and consolation of the scriptures may be taken together, and mean,