An hypocrite with [his] mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered.
Ver. 9. An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth.] That is, The flatterer, slanderer, evil counsellor, but especially the heretic, as the Valentinians, qui artificium habuerunt, quo prius persuaderent quam docerent, a by their Pythanology. "By good words and fair speeches they deceive the hearts of the simple." Rom 16:18 They bring men into the lion's mouth, as that old seducer did, by telling them of an angel that spoke to them, and so make prize of them, Col 2:8 and "drag disciples after them." Act 20:30
But through knowledge shall the just be delivered.] He is too wise to be flattered, and too knowing to be plucked away with the error of the wicked. 1Pe 3:17-18 Zanchius was set upon by Socinus, but the heretic lost his labour. b Wherefore add to your virtue knowledge, 2Pe 1:5 and have your senses exercised to discern good and evil. Heb 5:14
a Tertullian.
b Zanch., Misc.