Verses 7–14
Considering the cunning and malice of Satan, and the weakness and depravity of men's hearts,
it is not possible but that there should be offences. God permits them for wise and holy ends, that
those who are sincere, and those who are not, may be made known. Being told before, that there
will be seducers, tempters, persecutors, and bad examples, let us stand on our guard. We must, as
far as lawfully we may, part with what we cannot keep without being entangled by it in sin. The
outward occasions of sin must be avoided. If we live after the flesh, we must die. If we, through
the Spirit, mortify the deeds of the body, we shall live. Christ came into the world to save souls,
and he will reckon severely with those who hinder the progress of others who are setting their faces
heavenward. And shall any of us refuse attention to those whom the Son of God came to seek and
to save? A father takes care of all his children, but is particularly tender of the little ones.
Verses 15–20
If a professed Christian is wronged by another, he ought not to complain of it to others, as is
often done merely upon report, but to go to the offender privately, state the matter kindly, and show
him his conduct. This would generally have all the desired effect with a true Christian, and the
parties would be reconciled. The principles of these rules may be practised every where, and under
all circumstances, though they are too much neglected by all. But how few try the method which
Christ has expressly enjoined to all his disciples! In all our proceedings we should seek direction
in prayer; we cannot too highly prize the promises of God. Wherever and whenever we meet in the
name of Christ, we should consider him as present in the midst of us.
Verses 21–35
Though we live wholly on mercy and forgiveness, we are backward to forgive the offences of
our brethren. This parable shows how much provocation God has from his family on earth, and
how untoward his servants are. There are three things in the parable: 1. The master's wonderful
clemency. The debt of sin is so great, that we are not able to pay it. See here what every sin deserves;
this is the wages of sin, to be sold as a slave. It is the folly of many who are under strong convictions
of their sins, to fancy they can make God satisfaction for the wrong they have done him. 2. The
servant's unreasonable severity toward his fellow-servant, notwithstanding his lord's clemency
toward him. Not that we may make light of wronging our neighbour, for that is also a sin against
God; but we should not aggravate our neighbour's wronging us, nor study revenge. Let our
complaints, both of the wickedness of the wicked, and of the afflictions of the afflicted, be brought
to God, and left with him. 3. The master reproved his servant's cruelty. The greatness of sin magnifies
the riches of pardoning mercy; and the comfortable sense of pardoning mercy, does much to dispose
our hearts to forgive our brethren. We are not to suppose that God actually forgives men, and
afterwards reckons their guilt to them to condemn them; but this latter part of the parable shows
the false conclusions many draw as to their sins being pardoned, though their after-conduct shows
that they never entered into the spirit, or experienced the sanctifying grace of the gospel. We do
not forgive our offending brother aright, if we do not forgive from the heart. Yet this is not enough;