city.1 A change of houses might have the appearance of fastidiousness.2
12. 'AffTaffao^E, salute) i.e. say DPE*, peace, mentioned in ver. 13, i.e. salvation. Our Lord adopted formulae and ceremonies already observed, but He elevated them to a higher use.
13. 'Eav [Mv, K.T.X., if indeed, etc.) i.e. if they receive you. — e\6sru — sKiffrpap ?jrw, let it come — let it return to) The imperative may here be taken in its strict sense. If you pra$ for it, let it come. If you are not unwilling, let it return. So bear yourselves, that [in the one case] it may come [upon the house], that [in the other] it may return [to yoii\. Impart your salutation to them with ready good-will, or take it back to yourselves.3 — jj g/V>jj«j Ipuv, your peace) sc. that of which you are the mes sengers. — lav fc, x.r.X., but if, etc.) contrary to your expecta tion. — <ffpbs upas sKiffrpaipTiru, let it return to you) By a testimony of duty performed, and an increase of tranquillity and spiritual power. That which has once gone forth from the wealth of God, has not gone forth in vain, but assuredly finds some one whom it may reach. A consolation for ministers who appear to themselves to produce no edification. The Lord says to them thus, " They have despised it ; have it yourselves." 4
14. "o$ sav, whosoever) whatever householder or magistrate. — '%*fXfr****t when ye depart) The ignorance of men was not yet invincible. At present, in a greater multitude of labourers^ and hearers, it is not necessary to depart.5 — #, or) If/you should
1 A distinguishing privilege was thereby granted to those who were their " first-fruits" in each city. — V. g.
2 In the original, " potuisset prsebere speciem hominum delicatorum," where it is difficult to find an exact equivalent to " delicatorum :" though one is naturally reminded of Luke vii. 25, q. v. — (I. B.)
3 This was, as it were, a prelude to the loosing and binding (c. xviii. 18). -V. g. _
4 In his German Version he says, " you must not distress (krilnkeri) your selves. That which others reject becomes thereby a greater blessing to you." _(I. B.)
5 Beng. seems to mean, There was not then, as yet, the invincible ignor ance of men to contend with, that there is now : it was wilful unbelief; and in such a case it was their duty not to waste time, as the spiritual labourers were few, but to depart. In our day, on the other hand, where the numbers of both spiritual labourers and their hearers are many, it is not the duty of the former to depart, though many wilfully harden themselves, for there are