Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.
God. 'Aleph (') A B C read 'Lord' х ton (G3588) kurion (G2962) kai (G2532) patera (G3962)]; 'Him who is Lord, and Father.' The uncommon application of 'Lord' to the Father doubtless caused the change to "God" (James 1:27). But as Messiah is called "Father" (Isaiah 9:6), so, the Father is called the Son's title, 'Lord:' showing the unity of the Godhead. "Father" implies His paternal love; 'Lord,' His dominion.
Men, which - not 'men, who;' what is meant is not particular men, but men generically (Alford).
Are made after the similitude of God. Though in a great measure man has lost God's likeness, in which he was originally made, yet enough still remains to show what once it was, and what in regenerated and restored man it shall be. We ought to reverence this remnant and earnest of what man shall be in ourselves and in others. 'Absalom has fallen from his father's favour; but the people still recognize him to be the king's son' (Bengel). Man resembles the Son of man, "the express image of his person" (Hebrews 1:3: cf. Genesis 1:26; 1 John 4:20). In Genesis 1:26 "image" х eikoon (G1504)] and "likeness." [homoiosis] are distinct: "image," according to the Alexandrians, was something in which men were created, common to all, and continuing after the fall, while the "likeness" was something toward which man was created, to strive and attain it: the former marks man's physical and intellectual, the latter his moral pre-eminence.