Сегодня, 20 января 2026 г.

In this chapter we have both the world and the church in Adam's family, and a specimen of the character and state of both in all ages.As all mankind were represented in Adam, so that great distinction of mankind into the children of God and the children of the wicked one, was here represented in Cain and Abel; and an early instance of the enmity between the seed of the woman and the seed of the serpent.We have here,

1. The birth, names, and callings of Cain and Abel,  4:1-2.
   
2. Their religion, and different success in it,  4:3-4,
   and part of  4:5.
   
3. Cain's anger at God, and the reproof of him for that anger,  4:5-7.
   
4. Cain's murder of his brother, and the process against him for that murder. The murder committed,  4:8.
   The proceedings against him.
   1. His arraignment,  4:9, former part.
      
   2. His plea,  4:9. latter part.
      
   3. His conviction,  4:10.
      
   4. The sentence passed upon him,  4:11-12.
      
   5. His complaint against the sentence,  4:13-14.
      
   6. The ratification of the sentence,  4:15.
      
   7. The execution of the sentence,  4:15-16.
      
5. The family and posterity of Cain,  4:17-24.
   
6. The birth of another son and grandson of Adam,  4:25-26.
   

If thou dost well, shalt thou not be accepted? - Either, 1. If thou hadst done well, as thy brother did, thou shouldest have been accepted as he was. God is no respecter of persons; so that if we come short of acceptance with him, the fault is wholly our own. This will justify God in the destruction of sinners, and will aggravate their ruin.There is not a damned sinner in hell, but if he had done well, as he might have done, had been a glorified saint in heaven. Every mouth will shortly be stopt with this. Or, 2. If now thou do well: if thou repent of thy sin, reform thy heart and life, and bring thy sacrifice in a better manner; thou shalt yet be accepted. See how early the gospel was preached, and the benefit of it here offered even to one of the chief of sinners.

He sets before him death and a curse; but, if not well - Seeing thoudidst not do well, not offer in faith, and in a right manner, sin lieth at the door - That is, sin only hinders thy acceptance. All this considered, Cain had no reason to he angry with his brother, but at himself only.Unto thee shall be his desire - He shall continue in respect to thee as an elder brother, and thou, as the first - born, shall rule over him as much as ever. God's acceptance of Abel's offering did not transfer the birth - right to him, (which Cain was jealous of) nor put upon him that dignity, and power, which is said to belong to it,  49:3.