He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy [is] he.
Ver. 21. He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth.] His poor neighbour. Where the hedge is low the beast will easily break over. None usually are so trampled on with the feet of pride and contempt, by the great bulls of Bashan, as the necessitous and afflicted. Hence "poor" and "afflicted" are set together; Zep 3:12 so are "to want" and "to be abased." Php 4:11 This is a great sin, saith Solomon; it is to commit sin and to "be convinced of the law" as transgressors, saith St James. Pro 3:9
But he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.] His sins shall be remitted, his necessities relieved, and the blessings of God multiplied upon him, even a μυριομακαριστης. See my "Common Place of Alms."