Love is not rash in judging
Love is not rash or hasty in judging. The phrase is not "does not vaunt itself," which would only repeat the very next words, but rather, as the word also properly means, is not rash or hasty in judging. It will not hastily condemn anyone. It does not pass a severe sentence on a slight or sudden view of things. It first weighs all the evidence, particularly the evidence brought in favor of the accused. A true lover of his neighbor is not like most people, who even in cases of the nicest nature see a little, presume a great deal, and so jump to the conclusion. No. He proceeds with caution and care, taking heed at every step, and willingly subscribes to that rule of the ancient heathen, and oh, where will the modern Christian appear: I am so far from lightly believing what one person says against another, that I will not easily believe what a person says against himself. I will always allow him second thoughts, and many times counsel too.
1771 text
6. Love οὐ περπερεύεται· Not vaunteth not itself, which co-incides with the very next words, but rather (as the word likewise properly imports) is not rash or hasty in judging. It will not hastily condemn any one. It does not pass a severe sentence, on a slight or sudden view of things. It first weighs all the evidence, particularly that which is brought in favour of the accused. A true lover of his neighbour, is not like the generality of men, who even in cases of the nicest nature, “see a little, presume a great deal, and so jump to the conclusion.” No: he proceeds with wariness and circumspection, taking heed to every step: willingly subscribing to that rule of the ancient Heathen, (O where will the modern Christian appear!) “I am so far from lightly believing what one man says against another, that I will not easily believe what a man says against himself. I will always allow him second thoughts, and many times council too.”
About this text
Rendered in modern English, to be read and heard. Open the 1771 text under each part to check the claims and the scripture.
Rendered in modern English. The 1771 panel is his own Pine printing of the Works. It is public domain.
Catalogue & scope
Sermon 22 in the 1771 Works. Matthew 5:5-7.
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.