Verse 32. "And be ye kind one to another," etc. Kindness and tenderness of heart are comelier ornaments for a forgiven sinner than bitterness and wrath. For it is little that such an one can have to remit to his offending neighbour, in comparison with "all that debt" which God, for Christ's sake,[^89] has forgiven him. The simple but powerful nature of this appeal is immediately acknowledged by both the heart and conscience of the genuine believer. It is by the remembrance of that kindness of God, which is our common portion, that the heart is kept ready for the exercise of fervent charity. Knowledge by itself puffs up; love edifies. Both should be added to our faith, but each should be valued wisely, and according to the estimate of God. But nothing is so dear to Him who gave His Son for our redemption, as kindness and humility of mind Knowledge, being a thing of measure and attainment, tends to sever rather than unite. Divine forgiveness is received by us in equal measure. He has forgiven us in Christ and for His Name (1 John 2:12). A lively recognition of that grace is, therefore, the effectual means of knitting together, in unfeigned love, those hearts which taste its gracious sweetness. We love if we are born of God. If true knowledge grows in us, our love to God increases with it. But He lets us know that the most acceptable proof we can afford of our love to Him is an active kindness to each other in His name (1 John 4:20-21).
[^89]: to phaneroumenon. There are syntactical peculiarities in this verse, which render it difficult to decide as to its literal signification. The moral drift of the sentiment is sufficiently clear. Light, if it acts at all, brings hidden things from their obscurity. The contrast presented by a really spiritual walk to the ordinary ways of men would not fail to exemplify this principle.