Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;
Ver. 23. Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar] To anger our Saviour here opposeth charity, which suffereth long and is kind. Charity envieth not, nor is rash, &c.; but beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Strangers we must love as ourselves, Luke 10:27,28; but brethren, as Christ loved us, with a preventing constant love, John 15:15, notwithstanding provocations to the contrary.
That thy brother hath aught against thee] As justly offended by thee: see the like phrase, Luke 7:39; Revelation 2:4. If either thou have given offence carelessly, or taken offence causelessly. And two flints may as soon smite together, and not fire come out, as people converse together, and not offences happen. Now, if it be a great offence, a considerable injury, to the just grief or disgrace of another, satisfaction must be given, and reconciliation sought (at least), ere the service can be accepted. For how can we look our Father in the face, or ask him blessing, when we know that he knows there is hatred or heart burning between us and our brethren?