And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you.
Ver. 13. If that house be worthy] The saints are the only worthies, of whom the world is not worthy,Hebrews 11:38. These shall walk with Christ, for they are worthy, Revelation 3:4. But the heart of the wicked is little worth, Proverbs 10:20 .
Let your peace come upon it] Christian salutations are effectual benedictions. "We bless you in the name of the Lord," Psalms 129:8 .
Let your peace return unto you] Something will come of your good wishes; if not to others, to yourselves; you shall be paid for your pains, as the physician is, though the patient dies; as the lawyer hath his fee, though his client's cause miscarry. God will reward his ministers, though Israel be not gathered, Isaiah 49:4,5, secundum laborem, non secundum proventum, Follow work not results, as Bernard hath it, κατα τον κοπον, ου κατα τον καρπον .