Verse 17
17. this world's good—literally, "livelihood" or substance. If we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren ( :-), how much more ought we not to withhold our substance?
seeth—not merely casually, but deliberately contemplates as a spectator; Greek, "beholds."
shutteth up his bowels of compassion —which had been momentarily opened by the spectacle of his brother's need. The "bowels" mean the heart, the seat of compassion.
how—How is it possible that "the love of (that is, 'to') God dwelleth (Greek, 'abideth') in him?" Our superfluities should yield to the necessities; our comforts, and even our necessaries in some measure, should yield to the extreme wants of our brethren. "Faith gives Christ to me; love flowing from faith gives me to my neighbor."
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