For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.
Ver. 3. For we ourselves also] I Paul, and thou Titus, were as bad as others; let us therefore show all mercy and meekness to others. Aut sumus, aut fuimus, aut possumus esse quod hic est. Either we are or will be or will be able to be who are here.
Serving divers lusts] As the Persian kings were lords of the world, but slaves to their concubines. a The Assyrians led away the Egyptians naked and barefoot, Isaiah 20:2, so doth Satan sinners. Hence, though never so great they are called vile perrons, b as Antiochus, Daniel 11:21, because they have as many lords as lusts Felix, at that very time that he trembled before Paul, could not but covet and expect a bribe from him.
Hateful] Gr. στυγητοι, of στυξ. Horrible, as hell itself, or justly odious to others.
a Captivarum suarum captivi. Plutarch. Roma victrix gentium, captiva vitiorum. O rem miseram! Dominum ferre non potuimus, conservo servimus. Cic. Epist.
b Arch. A platform, to which one ascends by steps, in front of a church, mansion, or other large building, and upon which the door or doors open; sometimes applied to a double flight of steps ascending to such a front door. ŒD