They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.
Ver. 16. They profess that they know] Aliud in titulo, aliud in pyxide. Outside Christians who perform, as Ephraim, dough baked duties, are almost persuaded, as Agrippa, come near God's kingdom with that young Pharisee; faint chapmen that go without the bargain, as he did that came kneeling to our Saviour, and saying, "What shall I do to inherit eternal life?" These do virtutis stragulam pudefacere, put honesty to an open shame, as Diogenes said to Antipater, who being vicious, wore a white cloak, the ensign of innocence.
Being abominable] Gr. βδελυκτοι (α βδεω, pedo), such as stink above ground, and are of an offensive savour.
To every good work reprobate] αδοκιμοι, or injudicious; such as cannot make a right judgment of any good works, so as to approve and relish them, to see a beauty in them, as good, &c.
But in works they deny him] Which is, as if a man should confess his faith in English and deny it again in Latin. These are no better than devils wrapped up in Samuel's mantle; hot meteors, shooting and showing like stars.