And if any man hear my words and believe not
Men may hear the Gospel of Christ, and not understand it; and
they may understand it literally and grammatically, though not
spiritually and experimentally, and not believe it; not so much
as give credit or an assent to the truth of it, but reject and
deny it; for though faith comes by hearing to some, it does not
come to all: some receive no profit by hearing it, because it is
not mixed with faith by them. The Alexandrian copy, and all the
Oriental versions, and also Nonnus, read the last clause thus,
"and keep [them] not"; or does not observe them, is negligent of
them, and shows no regard, and yields not the obedience of faith
to them; the sense is the same.
I judge him not;
I do not accuse him to the Father, nor do I condemn him, nor
shall I take vengeance on him for so doing; meaning, that he
should do none of these things now, though hereafter he will be a
swift witness against him, and will convict and condemn him, and
pass sentence on him, and execute it:
for I came not to judge the world, but to save the
world.
Christ, at his first coming, came not under the character of a
judge, but a Saviour; wherefore suitable to his character, and
the end of his coming, he would not accuse, condemn, or judge any
man, even the greatest unbelievers in him, and despisers of him,
but would leave them to another day, when righteous judgment
shall take place.