7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.



Ver. 7. He that is without sin among you] Not that is impeccable, and not subject to sin (as the Greek, áíáìáñôçôïò , may here seem to sound), but that allows not himself, wallows not in some gross sin, yea, perhaps in this very sin Clodius aecusat moechum. (Juvenal.) Thus our Saviour wrings those supercilious and censorious hypocrites, who hated virum, non vitium; as it is said of Crassus the Roman, that he was very severe against covetousness in others, when there was not a more covetous person than himself. Carere debet omni vitio qui in alterum paratus eat dicere, said a heathen. {a} He had need be unblamable that blameth another. And therefore the apostle, after that he had said, "Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but reprove them rather;" he soon after addeth, "walk circumspectly, not as fools," &c., Eph_5:11; Eph_5:15.



{a} Anabaptiatae scripserunt adulteria non esse punienda per homines, &c. Joh.. Manl.