The Pulpit Commentary — Matthew — Volume 1 — Section 318

Vers. 4-6.-Beproving. This is kindred to judging, and so these are here closely associated. The duty of reproving should be discharged with discretion. I. THE REPROVJNG OF A BROTHER SHOULD BE CONSIDERATE. 1. Reproof is a pre- cious and holy thing. (1) So it is described (ver. 6). The snuffers in the sanctuary were of pure gold (see also Ps. cxli. 5; Prov. iii. 18; xxv. 12). (2) It is sanctioned by the holiest examples. Moses; the prophets; Christ. (3) It serves holy uses. (a) Saves souls from death (see Jas. v. 19, 20). (b) Frees our souls from the guilt of complicity (see Lev. xix. 17, margin). (c) Leaves the sinner without excuse. So the fidelity of Noah condemned the antediluvians (Heb. xi, 7). 2. The office of reprover should not be lightly undertaken. (1) We are naturally too prone to attempt to set others right. Envy and malice give us piercing vision to discern motes in their eyes. (2) Blindness to our own faults proves us disqualified to cure those of others. Reproof is too often an attempt to depreciate the reproved that the reprover may be better thought of. (3) It is hypocrisy to pretend zeal for the amendment of others while we have none for our own. Since the prerogative to reprove is with the saint, hypocrites reprove to simulate the saint. (4) 'l'o co1Tect error in another requires more.I principle as, well as intellectual discernment. Sin destroys spiritual vision. In overlooking this parents err in correcting their children. The truly righteous are the most merciful (5) Our badness must not excuse us from reproving. Rendering us unfit to reprove, it does not release us from the obligation to become fit. ".A man's offence can never become his defence." II. THE INCORRIGIBLY WICKED ABE BEYOND REPROOF. 1. They are descri"bed as dogs and swine. (1) Some, like the dog, are pronouncedly unclean. The dog does not part the hoof. He makes no profession of a clean walk. Neither does he chew the cud. He does not ruminate upon spiritual things. (2) Some profess to be better than they are. The hog parts the hoof. Here is the profession of a clean walk. But then he does not chew the cud. He is filthy in the thoughts and intents of the heart. Note: (3) The hog is no less abominable than the dog. False-faced sinners are the more offensive. 2. Their dupositiom are 'brutish. (1) They would trample upon pearls. The ungodly see no more beauty in holiness than the hog seee in a gem, (2) They would turn again and rend you. The more refined are your tastes and dispositions the more iutensely will the wicked hate you, and the more viciously will they treat you, 3. Let the incorrigible alone. (1) "Give not that which is holy," 'l'he allusion is to (jg, vn. 1-29.J THE GOSPEL ACCORDINQ rro ST. MATTHEW. 313