of his soul, to whom it was addressed. For many followed Jesus, to whom He did not give this command. He may be perfect, who still possesses wealth ; he may give all to the poor, who is very far from perfection.1 Our Lord's words laid an ob ligation on the man who offered himself ultroneously, and that so unreservedly ; although to him, being as yet somewhat of a stranger, it was not expressly enjoined, but rather given in the form of advice to one seeking advice. In the case of others, who are not yet able to receive peculiar commands, a compen sation is made by the leading of divine Providence. — VUMCOV, x.r.X., sell, etc.) If the Lord had said, Thou art rich, and art too fond of thy riches, the young man would have denied it : wherefore, instead of so doing, He demands immediately a direct proof2 [of the contrary]. — t^t'S, X.T.X., tkou shalt have, etc..) A promise inserted in the command, and at once surely guaran teed : q.d. Thou shalt have, and thou shalt know that thou hast.3 — dyffavpbv, treasure) The inheritance is called treasure, in oppo sition to worldly goods. Dost thou wish to be rich ? Seek this treasure. — axoXovdei Mo/, follow Me} Instruction in faith
would not then be wanting.
22. AUTOU,«.£VOS, grieved) sc. because he could not at the same time both retain his wealth and follow Jesus. Obedience would have absorbed grief. — jcrj^aara, possessions) sc. immoveable goods; cf. sell in ver. 21. These are referred to in the lands spoken of in ver. 29.
23. Aurfxo'Xws, with difficulty) This young man, when he had his foot already on the threshold, withdrew it on account of his riches. It is difficult for a rich man to relinquish all things.4
they build the notion of works of ' supererogation' : quoting this instance in support of their theory. — ED.
1 Zaccheus, as recorded Luke xix. 8, when distributing one half of his goods to the poor, obtained the Lord's commendation. [He was not required to give all that he had to the poor : nay, what he did give was voluntarily, not by command. — ED.] — V. g
2 In the original the words are, '• ipsum statim documentum postulat ;" lit. "he demands the vary proof." — (I. B.)
s For already now, in this life, those things which are needful are freely held out to believers from this treasure, ver. 29. — V. g.
4 Nay, it is not even readily that he thinks of the subject of obtaining eternal life at all. — V. g.