ever, that the transition to the Jews is at the com- mencement of this chapter, notwithstanding they are not expressly mentioned till the 17th verse : and the not mentioning of their name proceeded, we appre- hend from a delicacy of feeling, and a fear lest he might, by a too direct attack, arm, as it were, their minds against him. This certainly accords with the very tender regard which he manifests towards them throughout this whole epistle : and it was the less necessary to mention them, because their contempt of the Gentiles was so fully known, and so universally acknowledged. But the characters that are addressed are the same, whether amongst Jews or Gentiles : and, as the whole force of the address will be invali- dated if we do not clearly discern to whom it is delivered, we will,
I. Shew to whom the expostulation is addressed —
There were among the Gentiles some who in their public discourses inculcated a purer morality than that which was generally practised, but in their own life and conversation were guilty of the very crimes which they condemned : and so it is at this day among those who call themselves Christians. The disposition which is here reproved shews itself,
1. In the world towards each other —
[From whatever it may proceed, whether frem envy or uncharitableness, there is a disposition in all to view others in an unfavourable light, at the same time that they themselves are faulty, either in the same precise way, or in other ways to the same extent. Indeed such is the extreme blindness of human nature, that the more any are under the dominion of pride, or vanity, or covetousness, or ambition, the more they hate those in whom the same evils are predominant : the proud man cannot endure the proud ; and so of the rest.
But if this disposition manifests itself amongst equals, much more does it among those who are placed at some distance from each other, whether the difference be in age, or rank, or relation, or general habits and dispositions. The old condemn the follies of the young ; and the young the severity of the old. The rich inveigh against the idleness or dishonesty of the poor; the poor, against the selfishness and oppressiveness of the rich. Parents complain of their children ; children, of their parents.