things from good, the faithful themselves readily subscribe : nor will they be liable to the dreadful universal judgment : ver. 5, 17, 18 ;
1 Cor. xi. 32. But the same also live with Christ : and they are said to live , not to be made alive ; because they have been made alive already together with Christ : ch. iii. 18, compared with Eph. ii. 5. Respecting this judgment and life, comp. ver. 1, 2, 3 ; for the faith- ful, while they are engaged in the flesh, already receive the begin- ning of these things. — xara a\ i6pu)‘7rous) as far as relates to men; for they are exempted from human affairs. — xara Qsbv) as far as relates to God; for they live to God. — ^rvsv/xany in spirit) See ch. iii. 18, note.
7. Tlavruv) of all things ; and therefore also of the arrogance of the wicked, and of the sufferings of the righteous. — r'sXog, the end) when the number of the dead and living shall be complete : [in the last judgment. — V. g.] — ouv, therefore) He returns to exhortation ; and in ver. 7-11 duties are opposed to the sins enumerated in ver. 3. For luxuries are opposed to thebeing sober and watchful; desires (“lusts”), to love ; excesses in wine , revellings , banqueting s, to hospitality ; abominable idolatries , to the lawful ministering of heavenly gifts to the glory of the true God. — xal vrj^ars, and watch) Temperance assists watchful- ness, and each of them assists prayers : they who are removed from temperance are sleepy ; and the sleepy are slothful as to prayer, even on this account, that they do not willingly take any time from their labour and the ordinary pursuits of life. — Tpoffev^g, prayers) which are necessary at the last time.
8. T^i/ — aya-mji/, love) Love is already presupposed to exist : the injunction is, that it be more vehement. — on ay uni) xuXvxrsi w\ri6o$ ct,aapnu v, because love covers a multitude of sins) Prov. x. 12, Septua- gint, Kavrag dg roug iir\ (piXovsixovvrag xaXv-^e i <pi\/ay friendship shall cover all that are not contentious. Comp. Prov. xvii. 9. He who greatly loves, covers the faults of him whom he loves, as many as they are : he turns away his own eyes from them, and, as far as is lawful, blinds others respecting them, and makes them the subject of prayer to God. And the Divine love attends such a love as this with aid and approbation, and rewards with a like return him also who loves : Matt. vi. 14. Love also is especially necessary on this account, because the Judge is at hand : James v. 9. And they are blessed whom the end of all things finds without sins , except such as are covered.
9. E/c a XXijXovg, mutually) This relates to those who dwelt in dif- ferent cities or districts. — yoyyyojawv, murmurings) These are avoided