| Geneva Study Bible {14} But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. (14) An exhortation to the duties of charity, by the profit that follows from it, because no men proved worse for themselves than they that hate one another. People's New Testament 5:15 But if ye bite and devour one another. Bite in sudden anger, and devour in continued hatred. Take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. Mutual anger and hate must result in mutual destruction. Wesley's Notes 5:15 But if - On the contrary, in consequence of the divisions which those troublers have occasioned among you, ye bite one another by evil speaking. And devour one another - By railing and clamour. Take heed ye be not consumed one of another - By bitterness, strife, and contention, our health and strength, both of body and soul, are consumed, as well as our substance and reputation. Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary 15. bite-backbite the character. devour-the substance by injuring, extortion, &c. (Hab 1:13; Mt 23:14; 2Co 11:20). consumed, &c.-Strength of soul, health of body, character, and resources, are all consumed by broils [Bengel]. Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary 5:13-15 The gospel is a doctrine according to godliness, 1Ti 6:3, and is so far from giving the least countenance to sin, that it lays us under the strongest obligation to avoid and subdue it. The apostle urges that all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. If Christians, who should help one another, and rejoice one another, quarrel, what can be expected but that the God of love should deny his grace, that the Spirit of love should depart, and the evil spirit, who seeks their destruction, should prevail? Happy would it be, if Christians, instead of biting and devouring one another on account of different opinions, would set themselves against sin in themselves, and in the places where they live. | 
