These are, &c.] The apostle, to shame these sinners, bringeth similitudes from feasts, where spots are bred on mens apparell, from the skie in the clouds, from the earth in the trees, from the sea in the waves, from the heaven in the planets. spots] Such as pollute mens garments in feasts, arising out of fat or liquor falling on them. Others take it to be an allusion to spots on the body, which disgrace it. Others, to the spots on cattel, that made them unfit for peace-offerins. The sense is, that they were a blemish to their festival meetings. in your feasts of charity] Made for the poor, as Luke 14:12-13. Or, for others of the same religion with us, 1 Corinthians 11:33-34. when they feast with you] They came without bidding, thrust themselves in, and defiled the tables with gluttony and drunkennesse, evil doctrine, wanton words, gestures, looks. feeding themselves without fear] Impudent persons, not fearing to offend God by intemperance, nor regarding what men might say of them therefore, Luke 18:4. clouds they are without water] Promising rain to the husbandman, but giving none: so these made shew of great learning and pietie, whereby they might do good to others; but were empty of both, and deceived mens expectations. carried about of windes] Unstable, and coming to nothing in the end, Ephesians 4:14. trees whose fruit withereth] Gr. autumn-trees: Such as put out in autumn, when they should give fruit. unfruitfull] Because blowing so late, the fruit cannot ripen. twice dead] Having neither fruit nor leaves. Or, first losing their fruit, and then dying themselves, as trees blowing so late use to do: so these apostata’s were first dead by nature, born in sin, Ephesians 1:1-2. Secondly, having made a shew of spirituall life, by professing the true religion, they lost that also, by falling into errours and vices. Or, twice dead: that is, altogether or certainly dead, as Psalms 62:11. Job 33:14. so these were sure to go to hell, v. 4. plucked up by the roots] Past all hope of springing up again. It is a bad condition for a tree, to blossom, and yet bear no fruit: it is worse to die, and have no hope of ever bearing any fruit hereafter: worst of all, to be plucked up by the roots; then it is good for nothing but the fire. Such was the condition of these false teachers.