Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.
Ver. 19. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man] And yet withal a merciful, tender man of the Virgin's credit. Hence that conflict and fear within himself lest he should not do right.
And not willing to make her a public example] That is, to wrong her, as the same word is used and expounded by the author to the Hebrews of the Son of God, as here of the mother of God,Hebrews 6:6; cf. Hebrews 10:29 : παραδειγματισαι. Noluit ipse eam nec poenis, nec infamiae, imo nec risui exponere (Aret.).
Was minded to put her away privily] Which yet he could hardly have done, without blame to himself and blemish to her. So far out we are (the best of us) when destitute of Divine direction. How shamefully was that good Josiah miscarried by his passions to his cost, when he went up against Pharaohnecho, without once advising with Jeremiah, Zephaniah, Huldah, or any other prophet of God then living by him!