is never satiated.1 The because in ver. 8 is in antithesis to the because in ver. 9. — e/g rovro , for this purpose) The devil does not make an end of sinning : to destroy sin, is the work of the Son of God. — ru epya, the works) which are most contorted [perverse], and to un- ravel which, was an occasion worthy of the Son of God.
9. *A fxapr/av ou vom, doth not commit sin) The sentiment is imme- diately increased in weight : and he cannot sin. To each proposition its own because is added : to the one, in respect to the seed, or the regenerate man ; to the other, on the part of God Himself. — c rireppa avrov h uvrti /xivsi, his seed remainetli in him) In him who is born of God, there remaineth the seed of God, that is, the word, with its peculiar efficacy, 1 Pet. i 23 ; James i. 18 ; although sin often en- deavours, by a furious attack, to overthrow the regenerate. Or rather, it may be taken in this sense : the seed of God , that is, he who is born of God, abideth in God. l^sp^a, born. Such persons are truly Dv6k jnt, the seed of God , Mai. ii. 15. — oh dvmrui , he cannot) The possibility of his sinning is not absolutely denied ; but this is affirmed, that the new birth and sin cannot exist together. Thus, how can he , iv. 20, compared with Apocal. ii. 2 ; Acts iv. 20. The matter is, as in the case of an abstemious man, who cannot drink wine, and in various kinds of antipathy (i.e. natural aversion). Gataker has made this elegant paraphrase : The regenerate man does not sin : he proposes to himself as far as possible , a life free from sin ; nor does he ever spontaneously give himself up to sin. And if at any time , contrary to the purpose of his mind , he shall have offended , he neither rushes headlong into sin , nor does he continue in it ; but having acknowledged his error , he immediately returns in haste to his former course as soon as, and as far as, he is able. — Posth., ch. 33 ; where he adds the similitude of the magnetic needle, which always points to the pole, is easily turned aside from this direction, but always reseeks the pole. — lx roD 0soD ysyemjra/, is bom of God) The former words, of God, have greater emphasis in the pronuncia- tion ; and this being observed, it is plain that the same thing is not proved by the same, the beginning of the verse being compared with the words here at the end of it.
10. *Ev rovru, in this) This is to be referred to the preceding words. — xa/ 6 w uyunw, and he who does not love) A transition from the genus, or the whole to a part.
1 But this the great sinner shall be shut up, in the abyss, as in a prison ; then, in fine, punishment shall be inflicted on him in the fire. — V. g.