Ver. 1. At the end of every.] This Sabbatical year signified the year of grace, the kingdom of Christ, wherein all Israelites indeed are discharged of their debts. (Matthew 6:12) [See Trapp on “Mt 6:12”]
Ver. 2. He shall not exact it.] For that seventh year at least, because there was neither sowing nor reaping that year; how then could the poor pay their debts? We must all “put on bowels of mercy, forbearing one another, and forgiving one another,” &c. (Colossians 3:12,13)
Ver. 3. Of a foreigner.] To show that none that are alienated from the life of God, or a godly life, have remission of sin by Christ: “he sanctifies all whom he justifies.” Compare Romans 11:26 Isa 59:20.
Ver. 4. Save when there shall be no poor.] Here, as in sundry other places of the new translation, the margin is better than the text, as giving a good reason of the former law, To the end that there be no poor amongst you, that is, extreme poor by your exactions. Of a cruel creditor it is said, (Psalms 10:9) that “he lieth in wait to catch the poor; he doth catch the poor when he draws him into his net,” that is, into bonds, debts, mortgages, as Chrysostom expounds it.
Ver. 7. Thou shalt not harden thy heart.] But “draw out thy soul to the hungry.” (Isaiah 58:10) Many have iron bowels and withered hands. See my “Commonplace of Alms.”
Ver. 8. Thou shalt surely lend him.] [See Trapp on “Mt 5:42”]
Ver. 9. And he cried unto the Lord.] Who is the poor man’s king, as James V of Scotland was termed for his charity.
Ver. 10. Thine heart shall not be grieved.] [See Trapp on “2Co 9:7”] The Lord thy God shall bless thee.] See Proverbs 19:17; and “Alms,” ubi supra.
Ver. 11. For the poor.] [See Trapp on “Mt 26:11”] Aged and impotent poor, whose misery moves compassion without an orator; called here our poor, as well as our brethren.
Ver. 12. In the seventh year,] viz., Since he was sold unto thee.
Ver. 16. Then thou shalt take an awl.] Ut si non horreret servitudinem, horreret saltem ignominiam publicam: If we can bear reproach for Christ, it is an argument we mean to stick to him, as this bored servant to his master.