Commentary on Galatians Ephesians Philippians Colossians Thessalonians Timothy Titus and Philemon John Calvin
John Calvin distinguish them from the reprobate angels, but on account of their excellence, in order that their testimony may awaken deeper reverence.
Without hastiness of judgment 1013 . The Greek word {προκρίμα}, to translate it literally, answers to the Latin word proejudicium, ``a judgment beforehand.'' But it rather denotes excessive haste, 1014 as when we pronounce a decision at random, without having fully examined the matter; or it denotes immoderate favor, when we render to persons more than is proper, or prefer some persons as being more excellent than others; which, in the decisions of a judge, is always unjust. Paul, therefore, condemns here either levity or acceptance of persons.
To the same purpose is that which immediately follows, that there must be no turning to this side or that; for it is almost impossible to tell how difficult it is, for those who hold the office of a judge, to keep themselves unmoved, amidst assaults so numerous and so diversified. Instead of {κατὰ} {πρόσκλισιν}, 1015 some copies have {κατὰ} {πρόσκλησιν} But the former reading is preferable.
1 Timothy 5:22-25
1 Timothy 5:22-25 22. Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure.
22. Manus cito ne cui imponas; neque communices peccatis alienis; temetipsum purum custodi.
23. Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities.
23. Ne posthac bibas aquam; sed paululo vino utere propter stomachum tuum, et crebras tuas infirmitates.
24. Some men's sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after.
24. Quorundam hominum peccata ante manifestata sunt, festinantia ad judicium, in quibusdam vero etiam subsequuntur.
25. Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid. tells us, are born "children of wrath." (Ephesians 2:3.) What must we become if God do not choose us by pure goodness, since from our mother's womb (Psalm 51:6) we are corrupted, and are alienated from him? This gracious election must prevail, in order to separate us from the reprobate, who remain in their perdition. We ought, therefore, carefully to remark this passage, that Paul, when speaking of the angels, shews that their high rank proceeds from their having been chosen and elected by God. And so, by a still stronger reason, we are separated from all other visible creatures, only because: God separates us by his mercy." — Fr. Ser.
1013"Sans jugement precupite, ou, sans preferer l'un a l'autre." — "Without hasty judgment, or, without preferring one before another.
1014"Une trop soudaine hastivete." — "A too sudden haste." 1015"{Κατὰ} {πρόσχλισιν}, `through partiality' or undue favor. So Clemens, in his Epistle to the Corinthians, has {χατὰ} {προσχλίσεις} (through partialities.) The word properly signifies a leaning towards, or upon.'' --- Bloomfield.