Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day.
Ver. 13. Being defamed, we entreat] Though Luther call me devil, saith Calvin, yet I will honour him as a servant of God.
We are made as the filth of the world] q.d. The filth of filth; for the whole world lies in wickedness, as a foul sloven in a slough, or as a carrion in the slime of it. The word περικαθαρματα signifies, the sweepings of the world, or the dirt scraped off the pavement thereof.
And the offscouring of all things] Detersorium, sordes, purgamenta, reiectamenta. Piaculares et abominabiles, saith Paraeus. The word signifies the dung cart, saith Mr Burroughs, that goes through the city, into which every one brings and casts his filth. Every one had some filth to cast upon Paul and the apostles. Constantine, a citizen of Rhoan, with three others, being for defence of the gospel condemned to be burned, were put into a dung cart, who thereat rejoicing, said that they were reputed here the excrements of the world, but yet their death was a sweet odour unto God. Budaeus is of the opinion that the apostle here alludeth to those expiations in use among the heathen, performed in this manner. Certain condemned persons were brought forth with garlands upon their heads in manner of sacrifices; these they would tumble from some steep places into the sea, offering them up to Neptune with this form of words, περιψημα ημων γενου, "Be thou a propitiation for us." (Bud. Pandec.) So for the removal of the pestilence they sacrificed certain men to their gods: these they called καθαρματα, filth, loading them with revilings and cursings. (Suidas in περιψημι .)