Proi.estants," — or "the Lutherans have no dealings with the Calvinists," — or " the Calvinists have no deahngs with the Arminians," — or " the Episcopahans have no deahngs with the Presbyterians,'' — or " the Baptists have no deahngs with those who baptize mfants," — or " the Plymouth Brethren have no deahngs with anybody who does not join their company." " These things ought not so to be. They are the scandal of Christianity, the joy of the devil, and the greatest stumbling-block to the spread of the Gospel.
The Greek words translated " have no dealings," mean literally *'use not anything together with" the Samaritans Pearce says, " The Jews would not eat or drink with the Samaritans, would not drink out of the same cup, or eat of the same dish with them." This fact throws much light on the woman's surprise at our Lord's request, " Give me to drink."
10. — [Jesus answered, &c.] In this verse our Lord proceeds to uso the opportunity which the woman's question affords Him. He passes over for the present her expression of surprise at a Jew speaking to a Samaritan. He begins by exciting her curiosity and raising her expectations, by speaking of something within her reach which He calls " living water." The first step to take with a careless sinner after his attention has been arrested, is to produce on his mind the impression that we can teU him of something to his advantage within his reach. Tliere is a certain vagueness in our Lord's words which exhibit His consummate wisdom. A systematic statement of doctrinal truth would have been thrown away at this stage of the woman's feeUng. The general and figurative language which our Lord employed, was exactly calculated to arouse her imagination, and to lead her on to further inquiry.
[The gift of God.] This expression is variously explained. Some think, as Augustine, Rupertus, Jansenius, Whitby, and Alford, that it means " the Holy Spirit," that pecuhar gift which it was the Messiah's special office to impart to men in greater abundance than it had before been imparted. (Acts ii. 38; x. 45.)
Some think, as Brentius, Bucer, Musculus, Calovius, Grotius, and Barradius, that it means '' the gracious opportunity which God is graciously giving to thee." If thou didst but know what a door of life is close to thee, thou wouldst joyfully use it.
Some thi ak, as Euthymius, Toletus, Bulhnger, Gualter, Hook- er, Beza, RoUock, Lightfoot, Glassius, Dyke, Hildersam, and Gill, that it means " Christ Himself," God's gracious gilt to a sinful world. If thou didst but know that God has actually given Hia only-begoten Son, according to promise, and that He has come into the world, and that it is He who is speaking to theq, thou wouldst at once ask of Him hving water.