“Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice” (Ephesians 4:31)

Jerome for all his prodigious learning, had little reputation for godly grace and temperament. Whatever he learned from Scripture, he often failed to apply those aspects of Christian grace that reflect humility, patience, and longsuffering.

Church historian Philip Schaff’s assessment of Jerome reminds us that even the best of Christian men—the brightest lights and the most useful instruments in the Redeemer’s hands—may still display some of the worst traits of fallen humanity.

“He was very impulsive in temperament, and too much followed momentary, changing impressions. Many of his works were thrown off with great haste and little consideration. He was by nature an extremely vain, ambitious, and passionate man, and he never succeeded in fully overcoming these evil forces. He could not bear censure. Even his later polemic writings are full of envy, hatred, and anger.”

Philip Schaff; History of the Christian Church, Volume 3, Nicene and Post Nicene Christianity

Let us therefore be careful in all our dealings to exhibit a true representation of Christ. Not one of us, regardless of ability, learning, or attainments is the finished article!

Likewise, as we regard others, let us not be unduly disappointed when someone whose life has been a blessing behaves in an un-Christlike manner. We all have feet of clay.

Be thoughtful and earnest, kindhearted and true, 
Look ever to Jesus, He will carry you through. (Horatio Richmond Palmer)