7 But the end of all things - And so of their wrongs, and your
sufferings. Is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer -
Temperance helps watchfulness, and both of them help prayer. Watch, that
ye may pray; and pray, that ye may watch.
8 Love covereth a multitude of sins - Yea, "love covereth all things."
He that loves another, covers his faults, how many soever they be. He turns
away his own eyes from them; and, as far as is possible, hides them from
others. And he continually prays that all the sinner's iniquities may be
forgiven and his sins covered. Meantime the God of love measures to him
with the same measure into his bosom.
9 One to another - Ye that are of different towns or countries. Without
murmuring - With all cheerfulness. Prov 10:12.
10 As every one hath received a gift - Spiritual or temporal, ordinary
or extraordinary, although the latter seems primarily intended. So minister
it one to another - Employ it for the common good. As good stewards of
the manifold grace of God - The talents wherewith his free love has intrusted
you.
11 If any man speak, let him - In his whole conversation, public and
private. Speak as the oracles of God - Let all his words be according to
this pattern, both as to matter and manner, more especially in public.
By this mark we may always know who are, so far, the true or false prophets.
The oracles of God teach that men should repent, believe, obey. He that
treats of faith and leaves out repentance, or does not enjoin practical
holiness to believers, does not speak as the oracles of God: he does not
preach Christ, let him think as highly of himself as he will. If any man
minister - Serve his brother in love, whether in spintuals or temporals.
Let him minister as of the ability which God giveth - That is, humbly and
diligently, ascribing all his power to God, and using it with his might.
Whose is the glory - of his wisdom, which teaches us to speak. And the
might - Which enables us to act.
