^- -t . { The righteous.
Enemies, ) r Ji (.The reconciled.
See on the powerlessness and on the strength of glorying \i.e., the
powerlessness of the ungodly, and the strength of glorying of the
righteous] Ps. Ixviii. 2, and the following verses ; [Ixxi. 16, civ.
35] Is. xxxiii. 24, eh. xlv. 24 ; 1 Cor. i. 31 ; Heb. ii. 15. Add
the verbal parallelism, 2 Cor. xi. 2\.'—-xara, xaip'ov a.m6avi, in due
time died) nnjja, xara zaiphv, Is. Ix. 22. When our powerlessness
had reached its highest point, then Christ died, at the time which
God' had previously determined, and in such a manner, that
He died neither too soon nor too late (comp. the expression in
the time that now is [at this time'] ch. vii. 26), and was not held
too long [longer than was needful] under the power of death.
Paul fixes the limits [of the due time'] and he cannot speak in
this passage of the death of Cbrist, without, at the same time,
thinking of the counsel of God, and of the resurrection of
Christ, ver. 10, ch. iv. 25, viii. 34. The question, why Christ
did not come sooner, is not an idle question ; see Heb. ix. 26 ;
Gal. iv. 4 ; Eph. i. 10 ; Mark i. 15, xii. 6, just as also the
question, why the law was not given sooner, is no idle question,
ver. 14.
7. Aixaiov. rou ayaSou) Masculines ; with which comp. ver. 6,
8, as Th. Gataker rightly shows. Book 2, Misc. c. 9, but in
such a way, that he thinks them to be merely synonymous.
When there is any doubt respecting the pecuHar force of an ex-
pression, and a difference between words, it will be of much
advantage if you either suppose something in the mean'while, or
transpose the words. Accordingly, by transposing the words
in this passage, we shall read : /to'^'S yap vtrip dyadou ng amSotr-
utra.1, iirep ykp Bixalou ra.-xf'- rig xal toX/jl^ amSavliv, for scarcely
for a good man will one die, for peradventure for a righteous man,
some one would even dare to die) suppose, to wit, also, that
ayaSou is put without the article. You vnR immediately per-
ceive the disadvantage to the sense, with which this change would
be attended, and it will appear evident, that there is both
some difference between Bixam and aya6ov, and a great one
between dlxccwv and rhv ayaShv, wheresoever that difference in
the consecirtive words may be found hereafter. In fact the
KOMANS V. 7. 66
ai'ticle so placed, makes a climax. Every good man is right-
eous; but every righteous man is not good. Gregory Thau-
maturgus; -Tripl rroXKou xai TOT iravrog. Chrysostom; //^ixpii raura
y.at TO litibiv, those things of little importance, and that which is
of no importance whatever. The Hebrews call a man pHS, who
performs his lawful duties ; T'DH, who performs acts of kindness.
The Greeks call the former bUaiog ; the latter, oirios ; comp. plX
and nuj?) Zeph. ii. 3, but in this passage we have not ialou, but
rou dyaSou. Wherefore the distinction between the Hebrew
words does not determine the point. But this much is certain,
that just as Sawg, so also ayaShg expresses more than dixaios.
(See Matt. v. 45, and lest they should be thought there also to
be merely synonymous, try that same transposition, and it will
be seen, that to make mention of the genial sun in connection
with the just, and the useful rain in connection with the good, is
not so suitable [as the converse order of the original], likewise
Luke xxiii. 50.) And so Paul, in this passage, judges rhv
ayaShv, the good man to be more worthy, that one should die for
him, than Sixamv, a righteous man. 'AeijBui [ver. 6] and o ayaSig,
the ungodly and the good man, also Slxaiog and d/iafn-aXol [ver. 8],
a righteous man and sinners, are respectively opposed to each
other. What, then, is the result ? dlxaiog, indefinitely, implies
a harmless [guiltless] man ; i ayoiShg, one perfect in all that piety
[duty towards God and man] demands, excellent, bounteous,
princely, blessed, for example, the father of his country.— i«p
'yap) here yap has a disjunctive force, of which we have many
examples.— ra;i^a, rig, xal, r6X/ji,f, peradventure, one, even, dares)
These several words amplify that which is stated in ver. 8 ; ra^"
(instead of rayj^fo) diminishes the force of the affirmation ; rh,
one, is evidently put indefinitely ; nor is it regarded [nor does it
enter into the consideration], whether the person, who may die
for a just or for the good man, is in a state of wrath or of grace ;
y.a/, even, concessive, shows, why it is not said simply, dies, as if
it were a daily occurrence ; but that the writer should rather
say, dares to die, inasmuch as it is something great and unusual.
roX/iS, dares, as though it were .an auxiliary verb, corresponds to
the fiiture, will one die ; dares [endures to], ventures.— d'roda)'?/!',
to die) Dost thou wish to have the steadiest friends? be a good
man.
VOL. III. ^
66 KOMANS V. 8-11.
8. 2uwVr»](f/) commends ; a most elegant expression. Persons
are nsually [commended] recommended to us/ who were pre-
viously unknown to us or were aliens [strangers]. Comp. He
descended into tl\e midst [He stooped do^^-n to interpose between
us and Himself^ (if^iekivie) Heb. vi. 17.— 5s, hut) This com-
parison presupposes that God's love toward Christ, is as great
as God's love toward Himself. Therefore the Son is equal to
God.—a/j,apru\uv, sinners) We were not only not good, but not
even righteous.
9. AixaiaSivTig, Being justified) The antithesis to sinners, ver.
8. — vuv, now) The remembrance of Jesus Christ's death was at
that time fresh among behevers. — a-?rb r^g opyng, from wrath)
which otherwise does not cease : wrath abides upon those who
do not attain to grace.
10. e;, [since] if) Often el, if, especially in this and the
eighth chapter of this epistle, does not so much denote the con-
dition as strengthen the conclusion.
11. Kauj/w^E^a, weglory (Joy)) The whole discourse from ver.
3 to 11 is comprehended in one construction, thus : oh /j,6m &e,
aXka, xa! zai;;^w/iE^a h T&ig iXi'^im (e'lhorig ver. 3 — h rrt ^wJj aurou
— ver. 10) ou ijjOVOV hi, aXka. xal xav^d/LeSa h rj5 Qeui x.t.X. So the
edition of Colinaeus, Barb. 4, cod. MS. in colleg. prsedicatorum
apud Basileam, Bodl. 5. Cov. 2. L. Pet. 1. Steph. la. Aeth. Arab.
Vulg. make the words oh fiomv di, aXXA xot.1 xotfU^ufieSot, be repeated
after a long intervening parenthesis [by epanalepsis,^ Not. crit.],
and the sense, suspended by it, be most elegantly and most
sweetly completed, according to the following arrangement of
the apostle, although it was only lately that we discovered it,
We have peace, and we glory not only in the hope of the glory of
God; but, even in the midst of tribulations, we glory, I say, in
God Himself, through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have
NOW [opp. to Hope above] received the atonement [reconciliation'].
Most of the more recent copies have made it Kavx 0£t», in God) not before God, ch. iv. 2. — rriv xaraX\ot,y^v) the
' See Appendix.
' BOA, the weightiest auHiorities, read xauxiifieuoi. Gfg Vulg. read
vecixiifiiv, gloriamur. Others, x,»v)(,u^tSiii.—%D.
ROMANS V. 12. 67
reconciliation. Glorying as to love, which means something more
[than merely reconciliation'] follows upon the reconciliation and
deliverance from wrath.-"^
12. Aioi Touro, wherefore) This has regard to the whole of the
preceding discussion, from which the apostle draws these con-
clusions concerning sin and righteousness, herein making not so
much a digression as a regression. In imitation of Paul's method,
we must treat, in the first place, of actual sin, according to the
first and following chapters, and then go back to the source in
which sin originated. Paul does not speak altogether expressly
of that which theologians call original sin ; but, in truth the sin
of Adam is sufficient to demonstrate man's guilt ; the very many,
and most mournful fruits resulting from it, are sufficient for the
demonstration of man's habitual corruption. And man, in con-
sequence of justification, at length looks back upon, and appre-
hends the doctrine concerning the origin of evil, and the other
things connected with it. This second part, however, is in
special connection with the first part of this chapter ; comp. the
■much more, which reigns [ver. 17] on both sides [i.e. grace reign-
ing and triumphing abundantly over both original sin and habir-
tual corruption] ; ver. 9, etc., 15, etc., for the very glorying of
believers is exhibited ; comp. ver. 11 \we glory, or Engl. vers, we
joy] with ver. 21. The equality, too, of Jews and Gentiles, and
consequently of all men, is herein included. — ueitip, as) The
Protasis, which the words and so continue ; for it is not so also
that follows [which would follow, if the apodosis began here].
The apodosis, from a change in the train of thoughts and words,
is concealed in what follows. — Mpdimv, man) Why is nothing
said of the woman ? Ans. 1. Adam had received the command-
ment. 2. He was not only the Head of his race, but also of
Eve. 3. If Adam had not listened to the voice of his wife, not
more than one would have sinned. Moreover, why is nothing
said of Satan, who is the primary cause of sin ? Ans. 1. Satan
is opposed to God ; Adam to Christ ; moreover, here the economy
of grace is described as it belongs to Christ, rather than as it be-
longs to God : therefore, God is once mentioned, ver. 15 ; Satan
' The atonement, Engl. Vers. But r^u implies "the reconciliation,"
already spoken of ver. 10, reconciled. — Er.
68 EOMANS V. 13.
is never mentioned. 2. What has Satan to do with the grace of
Christ l—i, &wr!a-6 6&va.T,i, sin— death) These are two distinct
evUs, which Paul discusses successively at very great letigth.—
e/s rhv x6s/Lov) into this world, which denotes the human race—
sleriXk, entered) hegan to exist in the world ; for it had not pre-
viously existed outside of the world.— ;£«/' S'a, and by) Therefore,
death could not have entered before sin.— xa/ oS™?) and so,
namely, by one man.— s/'s) unto [or upon"} all, ■whoQ.j.—dmXhv,
passed) when sin once entered, which had not been in the world
from the beginning.— Ip' w) 'Ep' w with the verb fi/j,apTov has the
same signification, as Si& with the genitive, rrjs a/Mapria;. The
meaning is, tJirough the fact that, or in other words, inasmuch as
all have sinned, comp. the iiiA)fj.ari rijs ira.pt>t,^a,(!i/^<^,
the offence — the gift) The antitheses in this passage are to be
observed with the utmost care, from which the proper significa-
tion of the words of the apostle is best gathered. Presently
after, in this verse, and then in ver. 17, the gift is expressed by
synonymous terms. — o'l mXXol, the many) this includes in its
signification all, for the article has a meaning relative to all,
ver. 12, comp. 1 Cor. x. 17. — ^ %af'Sj grace) Grace and the
gift differ, ver. 17 ; Eph. iii. 7. Grace is opposed to the offence;
the gift is opposed to the words, they are dead, and it is the gift
of life. The Papists hold that as grace, which is a gift, and
what follows grace, as they define it, they do not consider as a
gift, but as merit. But all is without money or price of ours
[the whole, from first to last, is of grace, not of debt or merit of
ours]. — £11 %a^;T-/ XpigTou, in the grace of Christ) see Matt. iii. 17 ;
Luke ii. 14, 40, 52 ; John i. 14, 16, 17 ; Gal. i, 6 ; Eph. i. 5,
6, 7. The grace of God is the grace of Christ, conferred by the
Father upon Christ, that it may flow from Him to us. — Ttj tou)
Articles most forcible. Col. i. 19 : rjj especially, is very pro-
vidently [to guard against mistake] added ; for if it were want-
ing, any one, in my opinion, might suppose that the wttrds of
one, depended on the word gift, rather than on grace. As it is,
[the Tjj being used] it is evident that the grace of God, and the
grace of Jesus Christ, are the things predicated ; comp. similarly,
viii. 35, 39, concerning love [the attribution of it, both to God
and to Christ, as here], — bhs av6p(Mou, of one man) Paul (more
than the other apostles, who had seen Him before His passion)
gladly and purposely calls Jesus man, in this His work, as man
for man, 1 Cor. xv. 21 ; 1 Tim. ii. 5. Can the human nature
of Christ be excluded from the office of Mediator? When
Paul in this verse calls Christ man, he does not give that appel-
lation to Adam ; and ver. 19, where he gives it to Adam, he
does not bestow it upon Christ (comp. Heb. xii. 18, note).
The reason is, doubtless, this, both Adam and Christ do not
sustain our manhood at the same time ; and either Adam ren-
ROMANS V. 16, 17. 73
dered himself unworthy of the name of man ; or the name of
man is scarcely sufficiently worthy of Christ. Moreover, Christ
is generally denominated from His human natm-e, when the
question is ahout bringing men to God, Heb. ii. 6, etc. : from
His Divine nature, when the subject under discussion is the
coming 0^ the Saviour to us, and the protection which He
affords us, against our enemies, Tit. ii. 13. No mention is here
made of the Mother of Grod ; and if her conception was neces-
sarily immaculate, she must have had no father, but only-a
mother, like Him, to whom she gave birth. [Cohel. or Eccles.
vii. 29.]
16. KaJ, and) The meaning is to this effect : and not, as hy
one that sinned (is the judgment) (so by one, the author of
righteousness is) the gift [Engl. Yers. is different] ; that is to
say ; And [moreover] the proportion [the ratio] on both sides,
is not the same. — Kpina, the judgment) namely, is. — e^ hh;, from
one) namely, offence, [Engl. Vers, differs] ; for the antithesis,
of many offences, follows. The one offence was of the one
man ; the many offences are of many men.^
17. ToD hli — ha roD hhi, of the one man, hy the one) A very sig-
nificant repetition ; lest the sins committed by individuals should
seem rather [than the offence of the one man] to have produced
death. — l^aslXiugi, reigned) The word in the preterite tense looks
back from the economy of grace to the economy of sin ; as
presently after the expression shall reign, in the future, looks
forward from the economy of sin, to the economy of grace and
eternal life ; so ver. 19. — rrjv ■xipKieiiav) liXiomZii]/, and "jripieiiiuiiii
differ, as much in the positive, and more in the comparative,
' / frankly confess, that I do not clearly understand how this plural
proves, that Paul is not treating here of original sin, as if it ever exists
without the accompaniment of other sins, which is the assumption of some
one of the more recent commentators. Doubtless the Apostle distinctly shows,
that the gift in Christ is the cure both for original sin, and for the actual
oflFences of individuals besides. There are, certainly, many actual sins,
which are not to he considered as the necessary consequence of the first sin
("otherwise all the morality of our actions would now cease); but there is no
sin, whether it be called original or actual, the pardon and removal of which,
ought not to he considered as the mere effect of the gift, ;sa^(V^«rof. There-
fhre the power of the gift, toS xo^fiafietros, is greater than that of the judg-
ment, ToD xpifiazos — E. B.
74 ROMANS V. 18.
ver. 20. Abundance of grace, is put in opposition to the one
offence. — Xa/i^dvovng, receiving) Aa/i^dvuv may be rendered
either as a neuter-passive verb, empfangen, erlangen, kriegen
to receive, to acquire, to get; or actively, annehmen, to take.
The former is the better sense ; still the relation to Sw/iEiii/ a gift,
is more suitable to the act of taking. In justification, man does
something ; but the act of taking, so far as it is an act, does
not justify, but that which is taken or laid hold of. The gift
and taking, are correlatives. iFurthermore, this verb is not
used, vs^hen we are speaking of sin; and it is for the same
reason, owing to which it happens that we are not said to reign
in death, but death reigned ; but hfe reigns in us, 2 Cor. iv. 12,
and we in life. Christ, in this passage, is King of them that
reign. Life and reigning are mentioned in connection also, in
Rev. XX. 4. The term life is repeated from ch. i. 17, and often
recurs, presently after, in ver. 18, 21, and in the following
chapters.
18. "Afa oZv) Ufa draws the inference, syllogistically : oh con-
cludes, almost rhetorically : for this subject is not farther dis-
cussed than in this and the following verse. — hhg — hhg, of one
— of one) In the mascuhne ; as is manifest from the antithesis,
all. The word one, generally put without the addition, man,
designates with the greatest force, one, either of the two. —
dixaiu/j^KTog — dixaiusiv) Aixaiufia is, SO to speak, the material
substratum, the foundation for hxaiiisii, justification ; obedience,
righteousness fulfilled. It may be caRed justificament {justifica-
mentum) The ground and material of justification, as Idpaito/j-a
denotes a firmament [or means of making firm] ; hdv/ia, vest-
ment ; I'iri^Xrjfia, additament [or the thing wherewith addition
is made] ; iiiagij,a, defilement ; hylemfia, muniment ; icifnd6a.fii.a.,
the means of purgation ; iti^'i-i^r^iia, the thing scraped of; exiiraeiia,
a tegument or the thing wherewith a covering is made ; erepsapa,
'firmament; \iir6bnfj,a, a thing wherewith the foot is covered, a
shoe ; (ppovni^a,, sentiment [the material of cppovneig] French senti-
ment. Aristot. Eth. Book v. c. 10, has put Adixn/jia and dixaiu/Lo.
in opposition to each other, and defines the latter to be
the correction of injustice [rh s-jravopSafio, roD d3;x^/*aros] the
putting right what is wrong ; which is tantamount to satisfac-
tion [or atonement'], a term undeservedly hatefnl to the Socinians.
ROMANS V. 19. 75
The following sclieme exhibits the exquisite propriety of the
terms : —
A. B. C. D.
Ver. 16. xpl/jt,a, xardxpifia; ;)^af>«!'/ta, Stxaia/ioi,,
judgment, condemnation, free gift, righteousness.
A. B. C.
V er. 18. -rapdvru/JM, xardxfi/Aoi', Sixa,!iii/j,a,,
offence. condemnation, righteousness.
D.
Sixaliiigi; ^carig,
justification of life.
In both verses A and B are of the same class, eueroixi'', [are
co-ordinate] and likewise C and T> ; but A and C correspond in
' the opposite classes, avrtvToixe'", so also B and D. In ver. 16
the transaction on the part of God is described ; in ver. 18 on
the part of Adam and of Christ ; and that, with less variety of
words in the case of the economy of sin, than in the case of the
economy of grace. Aixdieugig ^w^f, justification of life, is that
Divine declaration, by which the sinner, subject to death, has
life awarded to him, and that too, with justice on his side.
19. Hapaxotig) ■TrapSi in -jrapaxon very appositely points out the
principle of the initial step, which ended in Adam's fall. The
question is asked, how could the tmderstanding or the will of an
upright man have been capable of receiving injury, or of com-
mitting an offence? Ans. The understanding and the will
simultaneously gave way [tottered] through carelessness, aiiAXna,
nor can we conceive of any thing else previous to carelessness,
a^sXiia, in this case, as the initial step towards a city being
taken is remissness on the part of the guards on watch. Adam
was sedaced through carelessness and indolence of mind, ha.
fo^^Mlhiav \ as Chrysostom says, Homil. xxvii. on Gen., and at
fiill length in Homil. Ix. on Matt., " whence did man wish to dis-
obey God? from weakness and indolence of mind" Tohv jj^sXsjffsn
avdptavog irafaxoZdai ©sou ; a-Tth pcj,6u/ji,la,s, x.r.'k. — vapaxorj, disobe-
dience, implies this carelessness or weakness. The opposite in
this passage is i/Taxori, obedience, from which is derived an excel-
lent argument regarding active obedience, without which the
76 ROMANS V. 20.
atonemeht of Christ could not have been called obedience ; it is
for this reason He is so often praised as, a/j!,u//,og, blameless. —
xaratrai^eovrai, shall be constituted) It is one tiling for a man to
be constituted righteous, even where imputation is spoken of, it is
another thing to be justified, since the former exists as the basis
and foundation of justification, and necessarily precedes true jus-
tification, under which it is laid as the substratum [on which it
rests] ; for a man must of necessity stand forth as righteous, before ,
he can be truly justified. But we have both the one and the other
from Christ, for both the merit of Christ's satisfaction for sin, im-
puted to a man in himself unrighteous, already constitutes that same
person righteous, inasmuch as it procures for him the righteousness,
by which he is righteous; and by virtue of this righteousness,
which is obtained by that merit, he is necessarily justified wherein-
soever that justification be needed ; that is, he is justly acquitted
by merit, who in this way stands forth righteous. Thorn. Gataker.
Diss, de novi instr. stylo, cap. 8. This is quite right. Never-
theless the apostle, as at the end of the period, seems to set forth
such a constituting of men as righteous, as [which] may follow
upon the act of justification, and which is included in the
expression being found, Phil. iii. 9 ; comp. with Gal. ii. 17. —
0/ -jtoXXol, the many) all men, ver. 18, 15.
20. No>of, law) the omission of the article tends to increase
the sublimity [elevation of tone]. — rapsiat^Xk) came in stealthily
by Moses, ver. 14. The Antithetic word is, entered, ver. 12 ;
Sin therefore is more ancient than the law. — wXtovderi, might
abound) ch. vii. 7, etc. Sin is not reckoned in the absence of
the law ; but when the law came in stealthily, sin appeared as
abounding; but, before the law, the fall of Adam should be held
as the cause of death. — ro 'sa.fo.xrtaiha, the offence) supply xai i\
aji^afria, and sin. All the sms of mankind, compared with the
sin of Adam, are as it were ofishoots ; it is the root. 'A/xafr/a, sin,
in the singular number, is considered as a plague most widely
spread ; and it also comprehends all actual Tapa-sTti/iara, offences,
ver. 16. — n kiiaprla. [the} sin) or in other words, the offence and
sin ; for there is a difference between them ;' see notes on ver.
14; the sin, in the singular number, John i. 29. — uvipi'ripjif-
' The latter being the result of the former Ed.
ROMANS V. 21. VI. 1-3. 77
eiuai, superdbounded [did much more abound'^ A third party con-
quering the conqueror of the conquered is superior to both : sin
conquered man : grace conquers sin ; therefore the power of
grace is greatest.
21. 'Ev rp iamTifj — lig ^uriv, in death — unto life) The diffe-
rence is here exemplified between the particles bv and lig. [Death
has its limits and boundary, whereas hfe is everlasting, and [by
divine power^ divinely extended. Death is not said to be eter-
nal ; whereas life is said to be eternal, ch. vi. 21, etc. — fi %«;>/?
^aeiXsiidrj, that grace might reign) Grace therefore has had, as it
were, no reign, that is, it hip,s had a most brief reign before the fall.
We may believe, that Adam sinned not long after that he was
created. — 'irieou, Jesus) Now no longer is Adam even mentioned :
the mention of Christ alone prevails.
CHAPTEE VI.
1. ' Em/jiiivoiJ/jLiv ; shall we continue?) Hitherto he treated of the
past and the present : now he proceeds to treat of the future ;
and the forms of expression are suited to those, which imme-
diately precede, whilst he speaks] respecting the ' abounding' of
grace. In this passage the continuing in sin is set before us ; in
the 15th verse, the going back to sin, which had been overcome.
The man, who has obtained grace, may turn himself hither or
thither. Paul in this discussion turns his back on sin.
2. ' A-jriSdvo/isv, we are dead) in baptism and justification.
3. "h) Or ? [' an,' Latin. The second part of] a disjunctive
interrogation. — ayvoiTn, know ye not ?) The doctrine concerning
baptism was known to all. The same form of expression occurs
again ch. vii. 1. to which the phrase, know ye not? corresponds,
ver. 16, xi. 2 [Wot ye not ?] and 1 Cor. throughout. Ignorance
is a great obstruction ; knowlege is not sufficient.' — oeoi, whoso-
•■ The point in this sentence is putting officii in antithesis to svfficit, but
78 ROMANS VI. i, 6.
ever) [as many soever]. No one of the Christians was by that
time unbaptized. — i^a-jTTMvi/ji.ev, were baptized) The mentioning
of Baptism is extremely well suited to this place ; for the adult,
being a worthy candidate for Baptism, must have passed through
the experience of these things, which the apostle has hitherto
been describing. Paul in his more solemn epistles, sent to the
churches (Eom. Cor. Gal. Eph. Col.), at the beginning of which
he caUs himself an apostle, mentions Baptism expressly ; in the
more familiar (Phil. Thess.) he presupposes it. — ilg) into. The
ground on which we are baptized. — Xpigrhv 'ineouv, Christ Jesus)
The name Christ is here put first, because it is more regarded
here, ver. 4, Gal. iii. 27. — s/'s rh Sdvarov avrov, into Sis death)
He who is baptized puts on Christ, the second Adam ; he is
baptized, I say, into a whole Christ, and so also into His death,
and it is the same thing as if, at that moment, Christ suffered,
died, and was buried for such a man, and as if such a man
suffered, died, was buried with Christ.
4. '2uverdprif/,ev, we were buried with Sim) The fruits of the
burial of Christ. Immersion in baptism, or at least the sprink-
ling of water upon the person, represents burial, burial is a
confirmation of [facit ratam] death. — I'lg, into) Construed with
baptism, with which comp. ver. 3. — ug-ffep — outu, as — so) An
abbreviated expression for,^ As Christ was raised from the dead
by the glory of the Father, so we should also rise, and as Christ
reigns for ever in the glory of the Father, and in that life to
which He has risen, so we also should walk in newness of life, —
di&, by) By concerning the Father is also found at 1 Cor. i. 9. —
Trig So^rig, the glory) A6^a is the glory of the divine life, of
incorruptibility, ch. i. 23, of the power and virtue, by which
both Christ was raised, and we are restored to a new life, and
are conformed to God, Eph. i. 19, etc. — h xonvorriri, in newness)
Ch. vii. 6; 2 Cor. v. 15, etc. This newness consists inhfe,
5. ^ifiipvToi) LXX. jSouvhs e{i//,(puTog, Spvfihg ffu/ipuro?, a planted
hill, a planted forest, Amos ix. 13 ; Zech. xi. 2, and on this
account o/io;w/ian here may be taken in the ablative. But
it cannot be imitated in English— it might he, ignorance is exceedingly
efficient, knowledge is not sufficient, were efficient an English word, which it
is not. — Tk.
' See App., under the title Concisa Locutio.
ROMAICS VI. 6-10. 79
Hesychius has eu//,(purov, eu/i-Tropiiio/ieiiov, eu\i6v, and so eu/LSivroi
with the dative is a word very significant; comp. ver. 4, 6.
Cluverus translates it, engendered together [connaturati, endowed
with the same nature together] grown together^.) AH spiritually
quickening power is in Christ, and that power has been confer-
red upon [brought together into] baptism ; eiv is used [in the
compound suf/,ipvroi'], as in the opposite word guvieraupuSri ; and the
simple [root] word (A)G Memph. Vers. Hilary, omit the £!;/«<.' But BC Vuk fa and
Rec. Text retain it Ed. ■"'
3 ABD(A)6/^ Vulg. Hilary, reject rS ^vpl^ i,f<,Z,. But C Memph. and
Syr. Versions retain the words. — Ed.
ROMANS VI. 14-17. ^1
duties. Man, vAio is dead in sin, could not, with propriety, be
said to yield himself [Sistere seipsum, to present himself} to
sin : but the man, who is aUve, may yield [present] himself to
God. — oirXa, arms) [instruments'] a figurative expression, derived
from war, as wages, ver. 23. — aSixiag, of unrighteousness) which
is opposed to the righteous will of God. — rjf a/xapriif, to sin)
Sin is here considered as a tyrant. — Tapaar^sare [yield'] present)
as to a king. — Ix, vexpuv, from the dead) The Christian is alive
from the dead. He had been dead, he is now alive. Comp.
Eph. V. 14, note, Key. iii. 1-3. Sleep, too, in these passages,
is the image of death. — bmaioguvm, of righteousness) The anti-
thetic word is aSixiag, of unrighteousness.
14. Ou xvpiexisei, Shall not have dominion) Sin has neither the
right nor the power ; it will not force men to become slaves to
it against their will. — iTh v6/j.o\i, under the law) Sin has dominion
over him, who is tmder the law.
15. 'r-rrh, under) eh. vii. 2, 14.
16. AoilXou?, servants) Servitude is here denoted, from which
obedience follows as a consequence. — SouXoi, servants) The state
of servitude, which follows as the consequence of obedience, is
signified, 2 Pet. ii. 19. — slg, unto) elg, unto, occurs twice in this
verse, and in both cases it depends on servants. — iiTraxo??, oj
obedience) Obedience, used absolutely, is taken in a good sense.
Righteousness, too, promptly claims as her own, those who act
obediently to her. — ilg Sixaiosdvriv, unto righteousness) Supply,
and of righteousness unto life : as appears from the antithesis
[death], with which comp. the similar antithesis, ver. 20 and 22,
iii. 20, note.
17. Xdpig Si rifi ®eu), but God be thanked) This is an idiom
peculiar to Paul, who usually expresses categorical propositions,
not categorically and nakedly, but, as it were, with some modi-
fying qualification, i.e., with an intimation of afiection, thanks-
giving, prayerful wish for them, etc. — 1 Cor. xiv. 18 ; 2 Tim.
ii. 7, note. The enthymeme^ of this passage stands thus : you
were the servants of sin ; but now you have become obedient to
righteousness : but there is added the moral mode^ or moral
I 1 The simple enunciation. See Appendix.
« See Appendix, under the title, Modalis Sermo A proposition not
VOL. in. F
82 KOMAKS VI. 17.
sentiment, God he thanked, that though ye were the servants oj
sin, ye have now obeyed righteousness. This mode, however, in
this place, implies this also, that this is the blessed state of the
Komans, which they ought by all means to maintain. This
observation wiU clearly bring out the meaning of the apostle's
language in many passages, and will show the ardour that was
within his breast. — on, that) so that, with indeed, to be under-
stood, John iii. 19.' — SoSXo/, servants) especially in heathenism.
— Ik xapblag, from the heart) The truth and efficacy of the
Christian religion [lies in its having its root in the heart.J
Wicked men cannot be altogether wicked with their whole
heart, but even unconsciously and continually repent of their
past conduct, and of their slavery to sin ; but good men are
good from the heart, and without constraint. [It is not any
doctrine of men, but the doctrine of God alone, which takes by
storm (takes complete possession of) the human heart. — V. g.] —
elg ov) This is the explanation vntn'x.ohsa.Ti ilg rwov dida^vjg d) or
5/; ov 'jrapiSoSijrs, comp. iig. Gal. i. 6 ; you were obedient to [with
respect to, towards] the form of doctrine (comp. sig 'ffavra mnx.001,
obedient in all things, 2 Cor. ii. 9) unto which you were delivered
(which was delivered to you). The case of the relative, expressed
in abbreviated form,^ depends on the word preceding, ch. iv. 17,
or following ch. x. 14. — irajnUSnn, you were delivered) Elsewhere
the doctrine is said to be delivered. That phrase is here ele-
gantly inverted, and is a very graceful expression respecting
those who, when freed from sin, devote and yield [present] them-
selves, ver. 16, with a great change of masters, to the honourable
service of righteousness.— rii^oi/, form) a very beautiful term, Ex.
XXV. 40. The form meant is the 'form' of Christ, Gal. iv. 19
Uaxng, of doctrine) That rule and standard, to which the
servant conforms himself, is merely shown to him by the doc-
trine; he does not need to be urged by constraint.
stated nakedly, but with intimation of feeling accompanying it. Instead of
the najced statement, "Ye were servants of sin," Paul says, in the moral
mode, " Thanks be to God, that, though ye were servants of sin, ye have
now obeyed," etc.
1 Light is (indeed) come into the world, and (yet) men loved darkness,
etc. So here, = though ye were, — yet now, etc. — Ed.
^ See App., tit. " Concisa Locutio."
i <
ROMANS VI. 18. gS
18. ''EKiukpuKtrig, being made free) It will be of use to have
this connected view of the plan of the apostle, up to the point
which it has now reached : — •
I- ^n, . . . . Ch. iii. 9.
n. The perception [the coming to "the
knowledge"] of sin from the law;
the sense of wrath; internal [spiritual]
death, .... iii. 20.
HI. The revelation of the righteousness of
God in Christ, by the Gospel, directed
against sin, and yet in behalf of the
sinner, .... iii. 21.
rV". The centre of Paul's system. Faith;
embracing that revelation without
reservation, and striving after, and
succeeding in its eflfort to reach right-
eousness itself, . . . iii. 22.
V. The remission of sins, and justification,
by which God the judge, views sin
committed by man, as if it had not
been committed, and righteousness
lost, as -if had been preserved [re-
tained], .... iii. 24.
VI. The gift of the Holy Spirit; love
Divine shed abroad in the heart ; the
inner new life, . . . v. 5, vi. 4.
Vn. The free service of righteousness in
good works, ... vi. 12.
From this view, it is evident why Paul, in proving justifica-
tion by faith alone, against those who are in doubt or error,
makes frequent mention of the gift of the Holy Spirit, and of
the other things, which follow as the consequences of justifica-
tion. As righteousness flows from faith; adoption [sonship]
accompanies righteousness ; the gift of the Holy Spirit, with the
cry, Ahha, Father, and with newness of life, follows upon adop-
tion ; but faith and righteousness are not in themselves clearly
perceived by sense ; whereas the gift, of the Holy Ghost pro-
84 KOMANS VI. 19, 20.
duces very conspicuous and prominent [standing out palpablej
effects; comp. [God] bare them witness [giving theni the Holy
Ghost] Acts XV. 8. Farther, the surpassing excellence of
these fruits, most effectually proves the worthlessness of men's
works.
19. ' AvSpiimm, after the manner of men) Language after the
manner of men, is frequent, and in some measure alvcays occur-
ring, whereby Scripture condescends to suit itself to our capacity.
Too plain language is not always better [the best] adapted to
the subject in hand. The accusative is used for the adverb.
[According to our mode of speaking, it may be translated, Ich
muss es euch mir massiv sagen, / must speak to you with great
plainness and simplicity. — Y. g.]— 3/a, because of) Slowness of
understanding arises from weakness of the flesh, i.e., of a nature
merely human, comp. 1 Cor. iii. 3. ' Ae^imav, weakness) Those
who desire discourse to be continuously in all respects quite
plain, should perceive in this a mark of their own weakness,
and should not take amiss [take offence at] a more profound
expression of the truth, but they should consider it with grati-
tude, as an ample benefit, if in one way or the other, they have
had the good fortune to imderstand the subject : at first, the
mode of expressing the truth is more sublime, then afterwards
it is more plain, as in the case of Nicodemus. — John iii. 3, 15.
That which pleases most [the greatest number] is not always
the best. — V. g. — rjj aKo/i/qs e/'s djv avo/ilav, to iniquity unto ini-
quity) A ploce^ not observed by the' Syriac version. The
word [to] iniquity [aw^/a] (before which uncleanness is put, as
a part before a whole) is opposed to righteousness; the word
[unto] iniquity [avo/i/ai/] is opposed to holiness [end of verse]
Righteousness corresponds to the Divine will, holiness as it were,
to the whole of the Divine nature. Those who are the servants
of righteousness, make progress [i.e., advance from righteousness
to holiness, whereby they partake of the Divine nature] ; cho/ioi,
workers of iniquity are workers of iniquity, nothing more.
20. T^s ai^aprlag, of ain) This case contains the emphasis of
the sentence ; sin had taken possession of you.^-r^ dnaioemri,
to [towards] righteousness) that is in respect of righteousness.
' See App., tit. Place. A word twice put, once in the simple sense, au.
86 ROMANS VI. 23-VII. 1.
Amos ii. 11, CDnrJ^, Lxx, ilf ayiaeiim \ Engl. Vers, has Naza-
rites.
23. Ta, Th) The mark of the subject. — o-^iima — x&fidiio,, wages
— gift) Bad works earn their own proper pay; not so, good
works ; for the former obtain wages, the latter a gift : h-^Sivia.,
wages, in the plural : %a^/(r/ia, a gift, in the singular, with a
stronger force.
CHAPTER Vn.
1. "h) The disjunctive interrogation. - There is a close con-
nection here with ch. vi., the words of which, at ver. 6, 14, 21,
xarapyiTd^ai, xvpieCiiv, xapvhg, Mvaros x.r.x. again occur prominently
in this chapter. The comparison of the Old and New state
is continued. — yivwexougi, to them that know) the Jews ; although
it is the duty of all Christians to know the law. — o v6//,os, the law)
for example, of marriage. The whole law, in consonance with
the opening of this portion, is put by synecdoche,^ for the law
of marriage. — rov avSpiimv, over a man) i.e., over a woman, ver.
2, comp. 1 Pet. iii. 4, where the inner [" the hidden man"] pre-
supposes the outer man, and the parallelism consists in this, that
man is predicated also separately of the woman, not merely of
Adam, the husband [' viro,' the man, in the restricted sense of
the term.] Man here is used genericaUy ; but in the second
verse, Paul applies it in a special and subordinate sense to the
woman, as falling under the generic term. — sip' Sgov, as long as)
neither any longer nor any shorter. — ^Ti, lives) the Law [lives.
But Engl. Vers. " As long as he — ^the husband — liveth."] A
personification. In the apodosis, life and death are ascribed, not
to the law, but to us ; whereas, here we have the protasis, in
which, according to the meaning of the apostle, life or death is
ascribed to the [marriage] law itself, and to the husband. What
' See Appendix.
ROMANS VII. 2-6. 87
is here said, depends on the nature of the things related, which
are the law and man. When either party dies, the other is
considered to be dead. Thus the protasis and apodosis cohere.
2. °T«avhpoc) So the Lxx. — didsrai, is bound) It may be con-
strued with to her husband, and with by [to] the law. — rov v6/i,ov
rou avdphs) It would not be an unsuitable apposition, were we
to say, from the law [that is, froni] her husband,
3. Xptj/ioiTieii) viz. Eaun^)/, she will come under the appellation of
an adulteress, and that too by the power of the law. Slie shall
bring upon herself the name of an adulteress. — i&v y'evnrai uudpl
irepijj, LXX. Deut. xxiv. 2.
4. "ciffrs) This word has a stronger meaning than if ouTiai had
been used. — Uavarti^nn, ye Jiave become dead) which denotes
more than ye are dead. The comparison is thus summed up :
the husband or wife, by the death of either, is restored to
liberty ; for in the protasis, the party dying is the husband ; in
the apodosis, the party dying is that, which corresponds to the
wife. — &i& rov (fw^aro;, by the body) A great mystery. In the
expiation [atonemen^t] for sin, why is it that .mention generally
is made of the body, rather than of the soul of Christ ? Ans.
The theatre and workshop of sin is our flesh ; and for this, it is
the holy flesh of the Son of God, which is the remedy. — syip6iwi,
who is raised) and so is alive [which the law no longer is to the
behever]. — xapmf)opf}gcii/i,iv, we should bring forth fruit) He comes
from the second person to the flrst ; fruit corresponds to off
spring ; for the simile is derived from marriage.
5. '''H./jbiv h Tji eapxt, we were in the flesh) that is [we were]
carnal. See the opposite ver. 6, at the end. — S/ti, by) ver. 8. —
rS} 6avdr({i, to that death) of which ver. 13, ch. viii. 6, speak.
6. ' AmSavovTig, being dead) So ver. 4, ye became dead, said of
that party, which corresponds to the wife : comp. Gal. ii. 19.
I have shown in der Antwort wegen des N. T. p. 55. A. 1745,
that Chrysostom also read avoSavivni, not amSavovrog.^ — if) A
plain construction in this sense : we have been set free by
death from the law, which held us fast. — ■x.am-xJ'^i^") an expres-
1 So also A (B ?) C, both Syr. Versions, Memph. The first correction of
the Amiatine MS. of Vulg. read A'^^odkwytK. D (A) G fg Vulg. read toS
ta,r«.TW [The law of death]. Rec. Text (and B ?) «5rii^«i/o<'TOf.— Ed.
88 KOMANS VII. 7.
sive term ; comp. ewixXuei, ch. xi. 32, s
11. 'Eg»)crarjj(rE, deceived) led me into by-paths, as the robbei
leads the traveller; and while I supposed that I was going
onward to hfe, I fell into [upon] death. — aviKrunv, slew me)
This is the termination of the economy of sin, and is on the
confines of that of grace.
12. "Ayio;, holy) supply from what follows, and just and good;
although it was necessary to accumulate these synonymous
terms chiefly in defence of the commandment, with its stinging
power [rather than of the hw] : holy, just, good,- ia relation
respectively to its efficient cause, its form, and its end ; (as we
find in the MS. notes of Dorscheus) or holy in respect of my
duties to God ; just, in respect of my neighbour ; good in respect
of my own nature ;'' with which whatever is commanded is in
harmony, for Hfe is promised, ver. 10. The third of these three
epithets is taken up with very great propriety in the following
verse.
13. TJ) therefore what is good. — The power of the article is to
be noticed. — ^dmres, death) the greatest evil, and the cause of
' Lachmann and Tischendorf, the two ablest exponents of modern textual
criticism, prefer uvrn. — Ed.
2 Aixctio; Th. S/xn, is that which is precisely what it should be, without
regard to the question whether good or evil flow from it, just, right. But
dyaUs, what is profitable and of benefit to men. The commandment is
S/xa(«, for it teaches nothing but what is just; dyaSiiyior it regards the
happiness of those, to whom it is given. It is also S.yia, not because it
makes holy, but because it is holy in itself, sacred to God, and therefore tn
he held inviolate. — See Tittmann Syn. Or. Text. — Ed.
ROMANS Vn. U. 31
death, the grestest evil : xarepyat^ofihr}, working [death in me]. —
aXXSc. n a/jiapTia, hut sin) namely, was made death to me ; for the
participle x.a.TBpya'toiMhnj working, ■without the substantive verb,
does not constitute the predicate. — iVa ri^ovTd /is, bringing ?ne into captivity) by any actual
victory which it pleases.^ The apostle again uses rather a harsh
term, arising from holy impatience :* the allegory is taken from
war, comp. the similar term, warring.
24. TaXai-irupos syii S.vSpwTrog) [" wretched man that I am!"
Engl. Vers. But Beng.] wretched me, who am [inasmuch as I
am] a man ! Man, if he were without sin, is noble as well as
blessed ; with sin, he rather wishes not to be a man at all, than
to be such a man as man actually is : The man [whom Paul
personifies] speaks of the state of man in itself, as it is by
nature. This cry for help is the last thing in the struggle, and,
' The participle cannot be placed first in English Tr. What he means is ;
the law is found by Mm who wills to do good, which is now the case with
me. — Ed.
^ i.e. leading me at will to do whatever it pleases. — Ed
' To express his holy impatience to be rid of the tyrant. — Ed.
9S ROMANS VII. 25.
after that henceforth convinced, that he has no help in him-
self, he begins, so to speak, unknowingly to pray, who shall
deliver me ? and he seeks deliverance and waits, until God
shows Himself openly in Christ, in answer to that who. This
marks the very moment of mystical death} Believers to a certain
extent continue to carry with them something of this feeling
even to the day of their death,* viii. 23. — pveirai, shall deliver)
Force is necessary. The verb is properly used ; for puigSai, is,
sx. 0ANATOT I'Xxeiv (to drag from death), Ammonius from
Aristoxenus. — Ix) from. — roD ffw/taros, from the body of death)
the body being dead on account of sin, ch. viii. 10. The death
of the body is the fiill carrying into execution of that death, of
which ver. 13 treats, and yet in death there is to be deliverance.
— Toirou) g&i/ia Savarou Tourou is said for ifca/io, ^anarou roDro, the
body of this death, for, this body of death. — Comp. Acts v- 20,
note.
25. Bu^apidru, I give thanks) This is unexpectedly, though most ■
pleasantly, mentioned, and is now at length rightly acknowledged,
as the one and only refiige. The sentence is categorical : God
will deliver me by Christ ; the thing is not in my own power :
and that sentence indicates the whole matter : but the moral
mode [modus moralis. See Append.] (of which, see on ch. vi.
17), I give thanks, is added. (As in 1 Cor. xv. 57 : the senti-
ment is : God giveth us the victory ; but there is added the
7i6og, or moral mode, Thanks be to God.) And the phrase, I
give thanks, as a joyful hymn, stands in opposition to the miser-
able complaint, which is found in the preceding verse, wretched
that I am. — ouv, then) He concludes those topics, on which he
had entered at ver. 7. — aMg syiii) I myself. — vo/^oj GeoC — vo/iw
afiHtprlag, the law of God — the law of sin) vo/iw is the Dative,
not the Ablative, ver. 23. Man [the man, whom Paul per-
sonifies] is now equally balanced between slavery and liberty,
and yet at the same time, panting after liberty, he acknowledges
that the law is holy and free from all blame. The balance is
rarely even. Here the inclination to good has by this time at-
tained the greater weight of the two.
1 The becoming figuratively dead in a spiritual sense to the law and to
sin, ver. 4. — ^Bd.
* This longing for deliverance from the body of this death. ^Ed.
EOMANS Vm. 1, 2. 97
CHAPTEK Vni.
1, OhSiv apa vuv x-ardxpifia, There is therefore now no condem-
nation) The apostle comes now to deliverance and liberty.
Moreover lie does not employ the adversative Sh, but ; he uses
the conclusive cipa, therefore, comp. on ch. ii. 1 ; because at the
end of ch. vii. he had already reached the confines of this
condition. He also now evidently returns from his admirable
digression to the path, which is pursued [he had entered on] at
ch. vii. 6. And, as a proof of this, the particle now, which
denotes present time (like the German wiirklich, actually, truly)
was used there, and is resumed here. Condemned [" God c.
sin"] in ver. 3, refers to condemnation here.
1, 2. Jlepi'Trarougiv' 6 y&p vo/jiog, to them that walk : for the law)
the aetiology [assigning of the reason, see Append.] by a paren-
thesis suspends the train of thought {for the law of death (ver.
2) : in us luho walk [resuming the same word and train of thought
as ver. 1], ver. 4) ; and as this parenthesis is terminated by
epanalepsis,"^ the expression but according to the spirit com-
pletes the period, in which the but is opposed rather to the
not in ver. 1, than to the not in ver. 4. The phrase, but after
the spirit (aXXa Kara miuf/.a) is omitted in the first verse on
the most respectable testimony." Baumgarten retains it. But
Paul immediately treats of that expression /tj) xara edpxa, not
according to or after the flesh ;^ then as he advances,* he adds,
^ See Appendix. When the same word or words are in the beginning of
the preceding member and in the end of the following member : as here ^jj
Kxroi ai.px,a 'Trepiirnrovaii/, before, and at the close of the parenthesis.
" A and the later corrector of D Vulg. Syr. add with Eec. Text, the words
fiij xxTct aapy.a irepivxrouaiu. But they omit aXX« xara wivficc. BOD
(A) (iff/, Memph. and Theb. Versions omit the whole fc^ xecra — Tn/ivfta.
Eec. Text has, of ancient authorities, only_^, one or two later vmcial MSS.
and Theodoret. — Ed.
* Which makes it likely, that not x«t» imivfia, but x«t» capKa was whs.t
went immediately before. — Ed.
* And not till then, — Ed.
VOL. III. &
98 ROMANS VIII. 2, 3.
aXKoi xctrSi ftvevfua, but according to or after the spirit, ver. 4,
note.
2. No,ttoj rou mi\iiia,roi) the law of the spirit, the Gospel in-
scribed on the heart ; comp. ch. iii. 27 ; 2 Cor. iii. 8. The spirit
makes aUve, and this life invigorates [vegetat] the Christian. —
fiXiufiptaai (li, hath made me free) a mild term, and in the preterite
tense ; he had formerly put the weightier verb pvairai in the
future. Grace renders that most easj, which seems difficult to
man under the law, or rather does it itself. Both are opposed
to the phrase, bringing me into captivity, ch. vii. 23. — r^s d/^af^
tIcx,; x.at roD ^avarov, of sin and death) He has respect to those
things which he said in behalf of the law of God, ch. vii. 7
and 13. Observe that and is put here, and is not put at the
beginning of the verse in the antithesis, •yv£u,aaroj rric t,urig, of the
spirit of life, where either the conjunctive particle is wanting^
of spirit, [and] of life, or it must be explained thus, rh Xlvivfio,
Tjjg l^aijjs, the Spirit of life.
3. Th) This word has the force of an adjective [or epithet'], to
be simply explained thus : God has accomphshed the condem-
nation of sin, which was beyond the power of the law ; God
condemned sin in the flesh (a thing ivhich the law could not
do, namely, condemn sin, while the sinner is saved). TJ aSuraroi',
what was impossible, has an active signification in this passage ;
and the paraphrase of Luther is according to the meaning of
the apostle. — See Wolfii Cur. on this place. — rou ro^ou) of the
law, not only ceremonial, but also moral ; for if the moral law
were without this impossible [impossibility of condemning sin,
yet saving the sinner], there would have been no need that
the Son of God should have been sent. Furthermore, the word
impossible, a privation [of something once held], supposes that
the thing was previously possessed : formerly the law was able
to afford righteousness and life, ch. vii. 10. Hence it is that
man so willingly follows the traces of that first path even after
the fall. — taurou) 'Idiov, ver. 32. His own, over whom sin and
death had no power. — vifi'^a;, sending) This word denotes a
sort of separation, as it were, or estrangement of the Son fi-om
the Father, that He might be the Mediator. — sv o/ioiiifian ea,pxb(
a/iaprias, in the likeness of the flesh of sin [sinful fleshj) The
construction is with xarixpm, condemned [not as Engl. Vers.
EOMANS VIII. 4. 99
His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh]. We, along -witli
our fieshj utterly tainted as it was with sin, ought to have been
consigned to death ; but God, in the likeness of that Jlesh (for
iustice required the likeness), that is, in the flesh of His own
Son, which was real and at the same time holy, and (that too)
for sin, condemned that sin (which was) in (our) flesh,^ that we
might be made free ; Iv [before o//,oiu)/iaTi] is construed with
condemned, compare by, ch. vii. 4 [Dead by (dia) the body of
Christ]. — 'irepl a//,a/>r/as t^\i afi,apriav, for sin, sin) The substan-
tive is here repeated, as in Luke xi. 17, note, when the house «'.«
divided, the house falls. But the figure ploce^ is here added,
as is indicated by the use of the article only in the latter place
[on the second employment of the word o^afr/a]. These two
terms mutually refer to one another, as do the words the likeness
of flesh ani flesh, mpl, for : "jripl a/iaprlag is equivalent to a noun,
as in Ps. xl. (xxxix.) 6 ; Heb. x. 6, 8. But here, in the epistle
to the Romans, I explain it thus : God condemned sin on this
account, because it is sin. Sin was condemned as sin. So sin
is put twice in the same signification (not in a double significa-
tion as happens in an antanaclasis), but the article Ttiv adds an
epitasis.' — xarixpin, condemned) took away, finished, put an end
to, destroyed all its strength, deprived sin of its power (compare
the word impossible above [What the law was powerless to do,
God had power to do, and deprived the law and sin of their
power"] — sin which was laid on the Son of God. For the exe-
cution of the sentence also follows the condemnation of sin. It
is the opposite of the expression to justify, ver. 1 ; ch. v. 18, and
2 Cor. iii. 9.
4. Ti hnaiujia, the law's just commandment \_jus, Engl. Vers.
' righteousness^'^) an antithesis to condemnation, Yer. 1. — -aXrifiadri,
might be fulfilled) That/M^/i^Jweniispresentlyafter described, ver.
5-11 ; thence it is that we have the for, ver. 5. Works of justice
{righteousness] follow him that is justified [i.e. follow as the con-
^ God condemned that sin, which was in our flesh, in the likeness of that
sinful flesh, [i.e. in His incarnate Son,] and that too, for sin.
" See Appendix. The same word repeated, once expressing the simple
idea of the word, next expressing an attribute of it.
» See Appendix. Epitasis, when to a word, which has been previously
used, there is added, on its being used again, some word augmenting its force.
100 ROMANS VIII. 5-9.
sequent fruits of his justification] : sin is condemned, lio who had
been a sinner, now acts rightly, and the law does not prosecute
its claims against him. — iv rii/,n) in us. — i/,fi xar&, eapxoi, not after
the flesh) an antithesis to, in the flesh, ver. 3. Now at length
Paul has come to the open distinction between ^es/t and spirit}
The spirit denotes either the Spirit of God, or the spirit of be-
lievers, ver. 16. The latter is a new power produced and main-
tained in us by Him ; and it is to this that the reference is,
wherever yfes^ stands in opposition.
5. O/' yap, for they that) From this passage and onward Paul
primarily describes the condition of believers ; and secondarily,
for the purpose of illustrating it, what is contrary to that state.
— bvTig, who are) This refers to a state, or condition. — fieiros. But (A)
DOfy Vulg. Orig. 2, 266; 3, 1706 Iren. and Cypr. read r^f ir»pxcs Ed.
ROMANS Vm. ir,, 16. 103
or uhi ilei 0£oD, There are thus three readings, of which Baum-
garten defends the first, I the second, which is supported by the
third, inasmuch as the, word u'lo! is placed first for the sake of
emphasis ; and it was the emphasis that induced me to touch
upon this variety in the readings.^ — vhi sons) The Spirit is given
to sons, Gal. iv. 6. At this passage Paul enters upon the dis-
cussion of those topics, which he afterwards comprehends under
the expression. He glorified, ver. 30, but he does not describe
unmixed glory, but only such glory, as that, the taste of which
is still diluted with the cross. Therefore the sum of what he
says is : through sufferings [we must pass] to glory ; patient
endurance [or else, support] is interwoven with sufferings.
Hence the whole connection of the discourse will be obvious.
15. T&p, for) This word has reference to sons in the preced-
ing verse. — wsij/jia douXilag, the spirit of bondage) The Holy
Spirit was not even in the Old Testament a Spirit of bondage ;
but He so unfolded His power in the case of those behevers, in
whom He then dwelt, that there however was lurking, beneath,
a feeling arid sense, which carried with it something of bondage,
inasmuch as being in the case of those who [under the law]
were still but children, Gal. iv. 1. — irdXiv, again) as formerly
[under the law]. The Romans in their state as Gentiles had
had groundless [vain] fear ; but not the spirit of fear, as those
had had, into whose place the Gentiles had come. The^Church
of all ages is, as it were, one individual, moral person ; so the
word, again, Gal. iv. 9, v. 1. — s/'s (po^ov, to fear) See Heb. ii. 15,
note. — viohfflag, of adoption) See Gal. iv. 1, etc. — xpd^o/jnv, we
cry) one and all. Cry is a word implying vehemence, accom-
panied with desire, confidence, a just claim, perseverance. And
the Holy Spirit himself cries : Abba, Father, Gal. iv. 6, note.
[If, while you are alive, yow have not attained to this experience,
it ought to be the subject of lamentation to you, and you ought
eagerly to seek it ; but if you have attained it, see that you joy-
fully continue in it. — ^V. g.]
16. T^li) Our spirit testifies : the Spirit of God Himself testi-
fies along with our spirit. [Our spirit is human, 1 Cor. ii. 11 ;
^ T/oi ihiu Sum is read by BGjr Vulg. (Amiat. MS.) Orig. 1, 574c Hilary.
But t A)DAC Fuld. MS. of Vulg./, Orig. a, 685c Cypr. have viol iiou sicrts.
Rec. Text with Iren. has siam viol ^tov. — Ed.
104 ROMANS VIII. 17-19.
and therefore its testimony is in itself not infallible, Mai. ii. 16. —
V. g.] Blessed are they, who distinctly perceive this testimony.—
aM ri has reference to ver. 14.
17. iMyvXnpowiMi, jointrheirs) that we may know, that it is a
very great inheritance, which God gives to us : for He has
assuredly given a great inheritance to His Son. — e/'te?, if indeed?)
This short clause is a new proposition, which has respect to those
things, which follow. — eMfj/xasxpt^^h ^^ suffer with) To this word
refer sufferings in the following verse, and in like manner, we
may he glorified together in this verse refers to the glory in the
following verse.
18. Vaf, for) The reason assigned,^ why he just now made
mention of suffering, and of glorification. — roD vDi/ %aifo\i, of
the present time) The cross [laid on the children of God], in the
New Testament is greater than it formerly was, but -it is of
short continuance, -/.aiflg, a short time ; the present and future
are opposed to each other. — ir^of, to he compared with) that is,
if they be compared together. — s/'s ;i^«j, with respect to [towards]
us ; comp. 2 Cor. v. 2.
18, 19. ' A-!roxa\v(pSjjvai — a'jroxd.Xv-^^iv) The gloTj is revealed, and
then also the sons of God are revealed.
19. ' A'ffoxapaSoxlci. This term denotes the hope of the coming
event, and the effort of the mind, which is eagerly panting for
[gaping for] it. Tlie expectation of the creature, that is, the
creatiu-e waiting, or expecting. Luther on this passage in Post,
eccl. calls it, das endliche Harren, final waiting. — rra xriaioig, of
the creature) The creature here does not denote angels, who are
free from vanity [weakness] ; nor men of every kind, provided
only they are men, although not even the weakest men [those
most under bondage to vanity] are excluded, who, although in
the bustle of life they consider vanity as if it were liberty, and
partly stifle, partly conceal their groaning, yet in times of
sobriety, quietness, sleeplessness and calamity, they have many
sighs, which are heard by God alone ; nor are the virtiaous
Gentiles excluded ; but believers are expressly opposed to the
creature. As to the rest, all the Adsible creation [the whole
aggregate of creatures : " creaturarum universitatem"] without
' Aetiologia. See Appendix.
ROMANS Vlll. iO-21. 105
exception is intended (as xrlgfio, in Macarius everywhere denotes
the visible creation [creaturam], Homil. vi. § 5, etc.), and every
kind of creature according to its condition (captu) [ver. 39, i. 25].
As every creature stands in its relation to the sons of God, so, in
this passage, the things predicated of the former stand in rela-
tion to the things predicated of the latter. The wicked neither
desire, nor wiU obtain liberty. Disadvantages have redounded
to the creature in consequence of [from] sin ; reparation vidll
accrue to the creature in consequence of [from] the glory of the
sons of God. — u'luv) Tfxvuv, ver. 21. — airsxde^irai) ' Airh in this
compound verb signifies the waiting for a thing hoped for in
consequence of the promise. The same word is in ver. 23 and
in like manner a-soxapaSoxla above.
20. MaralorrjTi, to vanity) whence the first of believers, whom
the Scriptures commend, was called ?3n, Abel [vanity']. Glory is
opposed both to vanity and corruption ; and the greatest vanity
is idolatry, ch. i. 21, 23. Vanity is abuse and waste; even the
malignant spirits themselves have dominion over the creature.
— ■j'jTira'yri, was made subject) In the passive voice, with a middle
signification, though it has however in it somewhat of the figure,
personification. — ou;^' i-A.o\J(Sa, not willingly) For in the beginning
it was otherwise : thence it is that the creature would rather be
made subject to Christ [" Thou hast put all things in subjection
under His feet"], Heb. ii. 7, 8. — S/dciriv i'?rora^a\ira, on account
of [propter : owing to] Him who hath subjected) that is on
account of [by reason of] God, Gen. iii. 17, v. 29. Adam
rendered the creature obnoxious [liable] to vanity, but he did
not subject it.
21. 'Et' iKirlbi [super spe: resting on hope], in hope) It is con-
strued with, was made subject, so, in hope [super spe], is put abso-
lutely. Acts ii. 26; and comp. by hope [spe], ver. 24. — aurj) jj -/.rigig)
itself, to wit, the creature. — kXmhpuSfisiTai, shall'be delivered [set
freej) Dehverance is not accomplished by means of complete
destruction; otherwise quadrupeds, when they are butchered,
would fall with pleasure.' — avo rns douXilag r^s iphpa; iig nji/
iXeuhfiav r^s So^ris, from the bondage of corruption into the glorious
1 i.e., were death and annihilation a deliverance. Therefore the coming
restoration of the creature and its deliverance will not consist in their de-
struction and annihilation — Fn
106 KOMAUS Vin. 22, 23.
liberty) 'Avi, from, and lig, into, are opposed to each other.
From denotes the point, from which we set out ; into, the point
at which we arrive. Bondage and liberty belong to the creature ;
corruption and gbry to men, even behevers [the latter, glory to
beHevers alone : the former, corruption, to men in general].
Vanity, ver. 20, is something more subtle than i/ii'i] ; otherwise, the apostle would have said, aurol oi rtiv
a-mpxfiv x.r.x. [the article o! would have followed the first aurol,
had it referred to a different subject from the second avroi].
Tijv avapyrii tou -prKsi/tarof, the first fruits of the Spirit) that is
the Spirit, who is the first fruits ; see 2 Cor. i. 22, note. We
are a kind of first fruits of God's creatures, James i. 18 ; and
we have the first fruits of the Spirit; and the same Spirit enters
1 See Appendix.
ROMANS VIII. 21-26. 107
into all creatures, Ps. cxxxix. 7, a passage, from which the
groaning of the creature is distinctly explained. The 'Sons of
God are said to have the first fruits, so long as they are in the
way [whilst as yet they have not reached the end, when they
shall have full fruition]. Tliey who possess the first fruits, and
the good, which attends the first fruits, are the same. — exovn;,
Juzving) This word involves the idea of cause ; because we have.
— £v iuuroTi, in ourselves) It implies, that the groaning of believers
is widely different from the groaning of the creature. — anvdioiJiiv)
^Tivdi^a here, and in ver. 22, signifies to desire [yearn after]
with groaning ; comp. 2 Cor; v. 4. — rrtv) This article shows by
the apposition, that this sentiment, if it be resolved [analyzed],
is contained in it, the redemption of our body is what constitutes
the adoption. — rijv amXiirpum [redemption'] deliverance) This will
be at the last day, which already at that time they were setting
before themselves as being at hand ; iXiuhpla, liberty [ver. 21],
is a kindred expression to this amXurpMis. — Comp. Luke xx. 36.
[That liberty is not intended here, by which we are delivered from
the body, but that, by which the body is delivered from death. —
v.g.]
24. 'BX-jridi) the dative, not of the means, but of the manner ;
we are so saved, that there may even yet remain something, for
which we may hope, — both salvation and glory. He limits the
present -salvation, but, while he limits, he by that very circinn-
stance takes it for granted. — r/ xal) why yet does he hope for
it? Where there is vision, there is no need of hope. The
blessed will be sure of the eternity of their blessedness, because
they shall have no need of hope ; and therefore they wiU be
established in it.
25. e; di, but if) The patient waiting of believers is deduced
from the nature of hope.
26. Kal, even) Not only the whole creation (every creature)
groans, but the Holy Spirit Himself affords assistance ; comp.
ver. 23, note 2. On both sides, believers have such as groan
with them, and make common cause with them ; — on the one
side, they have the whole creation [creature] , on the other, what
is of still more importance, they have the Spirit. In as far as
the Spirit groans, it respects us : in as far as He also affords
assistance ['helps,'] it respects the creature [creation']. — ffwatTi-
108 ROMANS VIII. 27.
Xa//,^a,verai) giiv has the same force in this compound as in tfu/t-
uaprupei', ver. 16, [i.e., along with us]. — raTg asdivilaig) infirmities,
which exist in our knowledge and in our prayers ; the abstract
for the concrete, infirmities, that is our prayers, which are in
themselves infirm. — yap, for) Paul explains what the infirmities
are. — ri — xaih, what — as) comp. how or what, Matt. x. 19. —
viripiVTuyxdni) mip, abundantly [over and above] as in ver. 37,
i'!ripvix.S)/j,iv, and {iirepemplenvtrsv, ch. v. 20. Both v'jsfivTvyx"'^^' ^^
this verse, and hrvyxann, ver. 27, are the predicates of the same
subject, viz. the Holy Spirit. It is the general practice, first
to put the compound verb with its proper emphasis, and then
afterwards merely to repeat, in its stead, the simple form. Thus
in Rom. xv. 4 we have first 'xpoiypdp6vr}/j,a, ver. 6, (Senswrn,'^ the nominative : firom
the plural sensa, sensorum. — roD Tviifiarog, of the Spirit) the
Holy Spirit, as in the preceding verse. — xara) according to [ad],
xarA &ihv, according to God, not xa,T& aydpuTov, according to man
(comp. 1 John iii. 20) [after the manner of God, not man], as
is worthy of God, and in a manner acceptable and manifest to
Him. The Holy Spirit understands the style of the court of
heaven, which is acceptable to the Father. Kara is the em-
phatic word of the sentence, inasmuch as it is placed at the
' Beng. uses senium here to express ip^6vnpi.», not the accus. otsensus, but
an old disused nominative singular, the plural of whiah is often found sensa
sensorum. — Ed.
BOMANS VIU. 28, 29. 109
beginning of the clause. — vTep ayluv, for saints) The article is
not added ; they are saints, who are both near to God, and are
deemed worthy of assistance, being those for whom [the Spirit]
makes intercession.
28. O'idafiiv 8i, Moreover we know) An antithesis to, we know
not, ver. 26. — roTg ayavSiei, to them tliat love) The subject is here
described from the fruit of those things, which have been
hitherto mentioned, — namely, love to God ; and this love also
makes believers [by a happy art] dexterously to take in good
part all things which God sends upon them, and perseveringly
to overcome all difficulties and temptations, [James i. 12. Paul
is an example, 2 Cor. i. 3— !!• — V. g.] Presently after, in the
case of the called, the reason is given, why a predicate so excel-
lent is attributed to this subject [why such blessed things are
predicated of them who love God]. — •jravra guvspyif) all things
work together, by means of groanings, and in other ways. So
1 Mace. xii. 1, o xcx.iphg airffl euvipyeT, time works with (serves)
him. — th ayadhv, for good) even as far as to [up to] their glori-
fication, ver. 30, at the end. — nig xara •Hfoheiv xXriroTg oZbiv, to
those who are the called according to His purpose) This is a new
proposition in reference to what follows. The apostle designs
to give a recapitulation of all the advantages involved in justi-
fication and glorification, ver. 30, and accordingly returns now
first of aU to its deepest [most remote] roots, which only can
be known from these their sweetest fruits themselves :* he at
the same time hereby prepares us for the ninth chapter [which
treats chiefly of Gods election and calling'] : vpokeig is the purpose,
which God determined to carry into effect concerning the sal-
vation of His own people. xXriroTg, the called, is a noun, not a
participle ; inasmuch as oZaiv is added [which it would not be,
if xXriToTg were a participial adjective], who are the called : — the
purpose is unfolded, ver. 29, the called, ver. 30.
29. TlpoiyviS) He foreknew. Hafenreffer translates it — He
formerly acknowledged, 'xpihaig, the purpose, comprehends vpoy-
vagif, foreknowledge, and 'rpoopig/jkh, predestination, for calling is
annexed both to the former (vpihaig) and to the two latter
%.e. the root, Go^s calling and everlasting election, is known from the
blessed fruits {all things working for their good) which it bears to the called.
—Ed.
110 ROMANS VIII. 30.
{vpiymisii and irpoopitf/iog), ver. 28—30 ; Eph. i. 9, where how-
ever ii'kriiJi.a, His will, is in a more extensive sense, than predesr
tination, and assuredly predestmation accompanies foreknowledge.,
for foreknowledge takes away rejection or reprobation [casting
away] : ch. xi. 2. Moreover reprobation [casting away] and
predestination are opposed to each other. — vfodpige, ev/Ji,/i6pipovg,
predestined, (to be) conformed) He declares, who they are, whom
He foreknew, namely, those who are conformed. This is the
character of those [impress of God's seal on those : referring to
seal, 2 Tim. ii. 19], who were foreknown and are to be glorified,
2 Tim. ii. 19; Phil.iii. 10, 21. — rrj; sixSvos, to the image) con-
strued with gu/ji,/i6pa/ia, a sort of verbal noun, is not so much
height, as something that has been elevated, or made high;
\j-^og belongs to God, and the third heaven, fi-om whence we
receive nothing hurtfal; u'^tafM has perhaps some likeness in
sound [resemblance by aUiteration] to the word enpicaiMa, jirma^
merit, which is frequently used by the LXX. interpreters ; and in
this passage certainly points to those regions, to which it is diffi-
cult to ascend, and where the powers of darkness range, evcalting
themselves awfdlly against us [2 Thess. ii. 4, eaialteth himself,
Ephes. ii. 2, vi. 12] : fidh;, how far soever it descends, does no
injury to us, — xrieig, creature) whatever things exist outside of
God, and of what kind soever they are. He does not so much
as condescend to mention visible enemies. — Suvrjgsrui, shall be
able) although they should make many attempts. — ^caplaai, to
separate) neither by violence, ver. 35, nor in the way of law
[just right], ver. 33, 34.
EOMANS IX. 1-3. 119
CHAPTEE IX.
1. 'AXfihiav, truth) Concerning the connexion, see on ch. i,
16, note. The article is not added here ; comp. 2 Cor. vii. 14,
xi. 10, tecause his reference is not to the whole truth, but to
something true in particular [a particular truth], and in this
sense also aXfihiai in the plural is used in Ps. xii. 2, LXX. ;
2 Mace. vii. 6. This asseveration chiefly relates to ver. 3,
vrhere for is put as in Matt. i. 18. Therefore ■ in ver. 2 on
denotes because [not as Engl. Vers, that'], and indicates the
cause of the prayer. For verse 2 was hkely to obtain belief of
itself without so great an asseveration [being needed ; therefore
on is not = that in ver. 2.] — xiyu, I speak) The apostle speaks
deliberately. — Iv XpiarSi) 3, h, has sometimes the same force as
an oath. — oi -vJ^siSo^a/, I lie not) This is equivalent to that
clause, I speak the truth. Its own confirmation is added to each
[both to, I lie not, and to, I speak the truth']. This chapter
throughout in its phrases and figures comes near to the Hebrew
idiom. — evviibfigsus, conscience) The criterion of truth lies in the
conscience and in the heart, which the internal testimony of the
Holy Spirit enlightens and confirms. "■
2. Aijff)), grief, [heaviness]) In spiritual things grief and (see
the end of the eighth chapter) joy in the highest degree may
exist together. Paul was sensible, from how great benefits,
already enumerated, the Jews excluded themselves, and at the
same time he declares [makes it evident], that he does not say
those things, which he has to say, in an unfriendly spirit
towards his persecutors. — /loi — rjj xapSlcf /iov, to me — in my
heart) These are equivalent in each half of the verse.
3. Hiip^o>9iii, I could wish) A verb in the imperfect tense, in-
volving in it a potential or conditional signification, involving
the cohdition, if Christ would permit. Sis grief was unceasing
[continual], but this prayer does not seem here to be asserted as
unceasing, or absolute. Human words are not fully adequate
to include in them [to express ftdlyj the emotions of holy souls ;
nor are those emotions always the same ; nor is it in the power
120 ROMANS IX. 3.
of those souls always to elicit from themselves such a prayer as
this. If the soul be not far advanced, it is incapable of [cannot
comprehend] this. It is not easy to estimate the measure of
love, in a Moses and a Paul. For the narrow boundary of our
reasoning powers does not comprehend it ; as the little child is
unable to comprehend the courage of warlike heroes. In the
case of those two men [duumvirs] themselves, the intervals in
their lives, which may be in a good sense called extatic, were
something sudden and extraordinary. It was not even in their
own power to elicit from themselves such acts as these at any
time they chose. Grief [heaviness] and sorrow for ^e danger
and distress of the people ; shame for their fault ; zeal for their
salvation, for the safety of so great a multitude, and for still
farther promoting the glory of Grod through the preservation of
such a people, so carried them away, as to make them for a
time forget themselves, Exod. xxxii. 32. I am incHned to give
this paraphrase of that passage : Pardon them ; if thou dost not
pardon them, turn upon me the punishment destined for them,
that is, as Moses elsewhere says, kill me, Num. xi. 15. It is
therefore the book of temporal life, as distinguished from that
of eternal life, according to the point of view, economy, and style
of the Old Testament ; comp. Ex. xxxiii. 3, 5. The book of
temporal life is intended in Ps. cxxxix. 16. — aJros lyii, I my-
self) construe these words with to he \were\. — avakfio. ihai, to he
accursed) It will be enough to compare this passage with Gal.
iii. 13, where Christ is said to have heen made a curse for us.
The meaning is, I could have wished to bring the misery of the
Jews on my own head, and to be in their place. The Jews,
rejecting the faith, were accursed from Christ ; comp. Gal. i. 8,
9, V. 4. Whether he would have wished only the deprivation
of all good, and his own destruction, and annihilation, or
the suffering also of every evil, and that too both in body and
in soul, and for ever, or whether, in the very excitement
[paroxysm] of that prayer, he had the matter fully present
before his understanding, who knows whether Paul himself, had
he been questioned, would have been able exactly to define 1
At least that word [Egoj I [all thought of seZ/] was entirely
suppressed in him ; he was looking only to others, for the sake
of the Divine glory; comp. 2 Cor. xii. 15. From the loftiest
ROMANS IX. 4. 121
pinnacle of faith (chap, viii.) he now shows the highest degree
of love, which was kindled by the Divine love. The thing,
which he had wished, could not have been done, but his prayer
was pious and solid, although under the tacit condition, if it
were possible to he done ; comp. Rom. viii. 38, I am persuaded;
Ex. xxxii. 33. — a^i roD XpiSTov, from Christ) So a.Th from 1 Cor.
i. 30 ; or, as Christ, being made a curse, was abandoned by the
Father ; so Paul, filled with Christ, vrished in place of the Jews
to be forsaken by Christ, as if he had been accursed. He is
not speaking of excommunication from the everlasting society of
the church. There is a difference between these two things,
for xardpa iwp, curse, has the greater force of the two, and
implies something more absolute : Din, anathema, something
relative, Gal. i. 8, 9, 1 Cor. xvi. 22, the former is rather more
severe, the latter milder ; the former expresses the power of
reconciliation by the cross of Christ ; the latter is more suitable
to [more applicable as regards] Paul ; nor can the one be sub-
stituted for the other, either here, or in the passages quoted. —
Tuv) The apostle is speaking of the whole multitude, not of indi-
viduals. — adiXrwv], (for the comma may be placed
with due respect to religion) ; for in that case the expression
should have been, ivhoynrog 6 ^eog [not o — 'bthg ilXcynros], if only
there had been here any peculiar occasion for such a doxology ;
or [who fix a full stop] after edpxa ; for in this case rh xara
eupua would be without its proper antithesis [which is, " who
in His divine nature is God over all" [. — ©si;, God) We should
ROMANS IX. 6. 125
greatly rejoice, that In this solemn description Christ is so plainly
called God. The" apostles, who wrote before John, take for
granted the deity of Christ, as a thing acknowledged ; whence it
is that they do not directly treat of it, but yet when it comes in
their way, they mark it in a most glorious manner. Paul, ch. v.
15, had called Jesus Christ man ; but he now calls Him God ;
so also 1 Tim. ii. 5, iii. 16. The one appellation supports the
other. — ivXoytirh;, blessed) napn. By this epithet we unite in
giving all praise to God, 2 Cor. xi. 31. — ilg nui o.]mag,for ever)
[He] Who is above all — -for ever, is the Ji7'st and the last, Rev.
i. 17.
6. Ou;:^' oTov,) This is not of that kind [not as though"] The
Jews were of opinion, that, if all the Jews were not saved, the
word of God becomes of none effect. Paul refutes this opinion,
and at the same time intimates, that the apostacy of the Jews
had been foretold, rather than otherwise, by the word of God. —
Si) but ; namely, although I profess great sorrow for Israel, who
continue without Christ. — Ix^swriwxEi', hath taken none effect) A
suitable expression, 1 Cor. xiii. 8, note. If all Israel had failed,
the word of God would have failed ; but the latter cannot occur,
so neither can the former : for even now there are some, [Israel-
ites believers], and in future times there will be all. For this
sentence comprehends all the statements in Chapters ix. x. xi.,
and is most aptly expressed. It is closely connected with what
goes before in ver. 2, and yet in respect of what follows, where
the word Xoyog occurs again, there is a studied gentleness of ex-
pression and anticipatory caution^ that whatever is said of a
disagreeable description may be softened before it is expressed ;
as in 1 Cor. x. 13. — o Xiyoi, the word) of promise, which had
been given to Israel. — o\i yap -s-avrs;, for not all) yap, for begins
the discussion, not all, is mildly said instead of, there are not
many. This was what the Jews held : We all and we alone are
the people of God. Wherefore the all is refuted here ; and the
alone at veir. 24, etc. The Jews were Particularists (' Particu-
laristse') ; therefore Paul directly refutes them. His whole dis-
cussion will not only be considered as tolerable, but will even
be much admired by those, and those alone, who have gone
' See on 'Euphemia' and T^oh^efiruec the Appendix.
126 ROMANS IX. 7, 8.
through the former chapters in faith and repentance ; for in this
the prior regard is had to faith [rather than to repentance]. The
sum of this discussion, in the opinion of those who deny universal
grace, is as follows. God gives faith to whom He will; He
does not give it, to whom He will not ; according to the mind of
Paul, it is this : God gives righteousness to them that believe,
He does not give it to them, that work ; and that is by no means
contrary to His word. Nay, He himself has declared by types and
testimonies, that those, the sons of the promise are received ; that
these, the children of the flesh are rejected. This decree of God is
certain, irrefragable, just ; as any man or people listens to this
decree or strives against it, so that man or that people is either ac-
cepted in mercy or rejected in wrath. The analysis of Arminius,
which has been gleaned from Calovius Theol. Apost. Horn.
Oraculo Ixviii., and adopted Oraculo Ixix., comes back to this
[amounts to this at last]. Compare by all means i. 16, note.
In the meantime Paul, in regard to those, whom he refutes, does
not make any very wide separation between the former chapter
[or head] concerning faith and the latter concerning righteous-
ness; nor indeed was it necessary. — 'igparjX, 'igpa^X, Israel, Israel)
Ploce.i
7. "Or/) because; this particle makes an epitasis^ in respect
of the preceding sentence. — A^paA/n,, of Abraham) That, which
happened to the children of the Fathers in the most ancient
times, may much more happen to their later descendants. — dXX'
h 'liraax, x.r.'k., but in Isaac, etc.) This clause is put as a
" Suppositio Materialis" [See Append.] ; for we supply, it was
written, and it is being fulfilled, Lxx., Gen. xxi. 12 : on Iv a'Trif/ia.
Here we even find a suitableness in the origin of the name
Isaac ; for they are the seed, who embrace the covenant of grace
with a pure and noble-minded joy, Gen. xvii. 19 [Isaac Heb.
= laughter, joy].
8. TovTBdrii) The apostle, using boldness in speaking, puts
that is for therefore. — raSra) Dn, that is, are. The substantive
pronoun for the substantive verb ; so olroi, these, ver. 6 : and
■■ See Appendix. A word twice put, once in the simple sense, once to ex-
press an attribute of it.
2 Appendix. An addition made to a previous enunciation, to explain, or
give emphasis.
KOMANS IX. 9-11. 127
frequently olrog this, ver. 9. The mode of expression in this
chapter becomingly assumes the Hebrew idiom, so ver. 28, etc.
9. 'M'jrayysXlag, of promise) It corresponds to the expression,
of the promise, ver. 8. — ouroj, this) viz., is. — xarci rhv xaiphv roiiroi/
iXsuio/jiCii, xal israi rri 'Sdp^if uios) At this time will I come, and
Sarah shall have a son. LXX., Gen. xviii. 10 : Idoii liravaerpifmii
ri^oi vpo; (Si %a,ra, rh xaipitv rourov iig upag, xal s^ii v'liv ^d^pa, t; yuvq
(Sou ; comp. Gen. xvii. 21.
10. Oi /ioDov di, and not only so) That is : it is wonderful, what
I have said; what follows is still more wonderfiil. Ishmael
under Abraham, Esau under Isaac, and those, who resembled
Ishmael and Esau under Israel, rebelled. — 'Pi^ixxcx,, Rebecca)
viz., s(st1v, is, i.e. occurs in this place. She, the mother, and
presently after Isaac the father, are named. — ig bog, by one)
Isaac was now separated from Ishmael, and yet under Isaac
himself, in whom Abraham's seed is called, Esau also is separated
from Jacob. Ishmael and Isaac were bom not of the same
mother, nor at the same time, — and Ishmael was the son too of a
bondmaid, Isaac of a free woman. Jacob and Esau were bom
both of the same mother, and she a free woman, and at the same
time. — Kolrrjv) so Lxx. for n33E' ; it often occurs, e.g. Lev. xviii.
20, o!i Sdasig xoktjv (Svip/Jtarog, said of the man, which is opposed to
the phrase tx^iv xolrriv, of the woman in this passage.
11. Mij^riw ysnti^hTiav, when they were not yet bom) Carnal
descent profiteth nothing, John i. 13. — /iJjSs -rpa^avruv, and when
they had done nothing) This is added, because some one might
think as to Ishmael, that he was driven out, not so much be-
cause he was the son of a bondmaid, as because he was a mocker ;
although this slave-like scurrility afterwards shows itself in [lays
hold of] the son of the bondmaid, so that he [pnSD, and xaxo^riXog
ro\j priS*] laughs and mocks at Isaac, whom he envies and insults.
— xar sxXoyri,) The purpose, which is quite free, has its reason
founded on election alone ; comp. xarai ch. xvi. 25 ; Tit. i. 9. It
might be said, in Latin, propositum Dei electivum, the elective pur-
pose of God. — /ihji, might stand [remainj) incapable of being set
aside. It is presupposed that the vp6k(Si)/, the purpose, is prior
to the, might stand. — oux l§ 'ipyoiv, not of works) not even of works
foreseen. Observe, it is not faith, which is opposed to election,
but works. — Ix roD xoiXoZwog, of Him that calleth) even Him, who
128 ROMANS IX. 12-14,
called Jacob to be the superior, Esau to be the servant : comp,
ver. 25.
12. Aurri, to her) It was often foretold to mothers before con-
ception or birth, what would happen to their sons. — on 6 — Ixde-
oow) Gen. XXV. 23, LXX., xa! o — Ixdegovi. — 6 fisli^cav) the elder, who,
it might be reasonably thought, should command, as the younger
should obey. — SouXiueu, shall serve) and yet not so for ever, Gen.
xxvii. 40.
13. KaSug, as) The word spoken by Malachi, at a period so
long subsequent, agrees with that spoken in Genesis. — rhv 'laxiilS
riydirr^ga. x.r.X.) Mai. i. 2, LXX., ;jya^jj(fa rhv 'laxii^ x.r.X. — ^yaTjjaa
— i,u,!ffr}(fa, T have loved — I have hated) The reference is not to the
spiritual state of each of the two brothers : but the external con-
dition of Jacob and Esau, in like manner as the corporeal birth
of Isaac is a type of spiritual things, ver. 9. All Israelites are
not saved, and all Edomites are not damned. But Paul inti-
mates, that as there was a difference between the sons of Abra-
ham and Isaac, so there was a difference among the posterity of
Israel. So far has he demonstrated what he purposed ; he in
the next place introduces an objection, and refutes it ; fi^ieiiv
properly signifies to hate, nay, to hate greatly. See Mai. i. 4, at
the end.
14. T; oh, what then f) Can we then on this ground be accused
of charging God with unrighteousness and iniquity by this, as-
sertion ? By no means ; for what we assert is the irrefragable
assertion of God ; see the following verse. — M)5 yivoiro, God for-
bid) The Jews thought, that they could by no means be rejected
by God ; that the Gentiles could by no means be received. As
therefore an honest man acts even with greater severity [aTOTo/t/a]
towards those who are harshly and spitefully importunate, than
he really feels (that he may defend his own rights, and those of
his patron, and may not at an unseasonable time betray and cast
away his character for liberality) so Paul defends the power and
justice of God against the Israelites, who trusted to their mere
name and their own merits ; and on this subject, he sometimes
uses those appropriate phrases, to which he seems to have been
accustomed in former times in the school of the Pharisees. This
is his language : No man can prescribe anything to the Lord God,
nor demand and somewhat insolently extort anything from Him as
ROMANS IX. 15. lag
a debt, nor can he interdict Him in anything [which He pleases
to do] or require a reason, why He shows Himself kind also to
others [as well as to himself]. Therefore Paul somewhat
abruptly checks by a rather severe answer the peevish and spite-
ful objectors. Luke xix. 22, 23, is a similar case. For no man
is allowed to deal with God as if by virtue of a bond of agree-
ment, [as if he were His creditor], but even if there were such
a bond, God even deals more strictly with man [i.e. with a man
of such a hireling spirit] ; let the parable. Matt. xx. 13-15, which
is quite parallel, be compared : / do thee no wrong, etc. There
is therefore one meaning of Paul's language, by which he gives
an answer to those who contend for good works : another, of a
milder description, in behalf of believers, lies hid under the veil
of the words. In the Sacred Scriptures too, especially when we
have come from the thesis [the proposition] to the hypothesis
[that on which the proposition rests], the manners, to, rjSri, as well
as the reasonings, o'l Xiyoi, ought to be considered ; and yet there
can be no commentary so plain, which he, who contends for
justification by good works, may more easily understand than
the text of Paul.
15. Tw yap lAiiKSTi, for to Moses) Many are of opinion, that the
objection extends from this verse to ver. 18 ; in which view the
for, is used, as in ch. iii. 7, and thus thou wilt say then, ver. 19,
concludes the objection, which was begun at ver. 14. And
indeed by this introduction of a person speaking there would be
a fitting expression of that avramxpjsig (rejoinder of the opponent),
which is censured at ver. 20, and is subsequently refuted by
taking up the words themselves or their synonyms. In the
meantime Paul so expresses himself, as to make i avm.'xoxfmi/.ivoi,
the objector whilst replying at the same time answer himself ;
and therefore the words in this verse may be also taken, without
injury to the sense, as spoken in the person of the apostle, as we
shall now endeavour to show. Moses, Exod. xxxiii., had prayed
for himself and the people by in, the grace of the Lord, ver. 12,
13, 16, 17, and had concluded with, show me thy glory. The
Lord answered : / will make all My goodness pass in the presence
of thy face, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before thy
face, cms -it^K-ns inomi tnx nSfK-ns Tljni, And will be gracious,
to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy, to lohom I will show
VOL. HI, I
130 ROMANS IX. 15.
mercy, ver. 19. .The Lord did not disclose even to Moses without
some time intervening, to whom He would show grace and mercy,
although the question was respecting Moses and the people of"
Israel alone, not respecting the Gentiles. To this Moses, then,
not merely to others by Moses (Mueri, says Paul, as presently
after, rfi ^apaa) the Lord spoke thus : By My proclamation, arid
by My most abundant working, subsequently, I will designate
[mark out] him, as the object of grace and mercy, whosoever he be,
whom 1 make the object of grace and mercy. By these words He
intimated, that He would make proclamation [would reveal His
own character] as regards grace and mercy ; and He shortly
after accordingly made proclamation, Ex. xxxiv. 5, p3ni Dim
[oiKTIPMriN -Aal EAEHMXIN x.r.X. ilg ■)(^iXiaias\, merciful and
gracious, etc., to thousands ; and added [xa/ rh 'hoyov ou xaSapisT,
ivaywi aiLapr'tac, irar'spoiv, x.r.X.], and He will not clear the guilty,
etc. Therefore according to the subsequent proclamation itself,
the following meaning of the previous promise comes clearly out :
I will show thee the most abundant grace, even to that degree that
thou mayest see concerning Me [see centred in Me] all whatsoever
thou dost both desire and canst receive [comprehend] in order that
thou mayest furthermore understand, that it is [all of] grace ; and
for this reason inasmuch as I have once for all embraced thee in
grace, which thou acknowledgest to he grace ; and as to the rest of
the people, I will show them the most abundant mercy, in not visit-
ing tliem with immediate destruction for their idolatry, that they
may further understand it to be mercy ; and for this reason inas-
much as I have once for all embraced them in mercy, which thou
in their behalf acknowledgest to be mercy. The Lxx. Int. and
Paul have expressed the meaning of this sentence by the diifer-
ence between the present and future tense : IXsrjeu h av iXsw, xal
oixTiipfigia ov uv ohnip'a, I will have mercy on whom I have mercy,
and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion. And
there is the figure Ploce [see Appen.], which nearly signifies the
same as below, ch. xiii. 7, and here it expresses the liberty of the
Agent, of whom the apostle is speaking, as in Ex. xvi. 23.
Moreover, each of the two verbs, placed in the two clauses \i.e.
repeated twice], contains the emphasis in the former clause ; [i.e.
the emphasis is on the verb in each of the two clauses Gniis first
mention, not on it when repeated ; I will have mercy, on whom I
ROMANS IX. 16, 17. 131
have mercy, etc.J : although generally in other passages the
emphasis is on the verb in the latter clause [i.e. on its repetition]
Gen. xxvii. 33, xliii. 14 ; 2 Kings vii. 4. That the acknow-
ledgment of grace and mercy, on the part of Moses, and the true
Israehtes, is entwined together, is evident from this, that Paul,
ver. 16, speaks, on the opposite side, of the man that willeth and
that runneth, to whom grace is not grace, and mercy is not mercy.
He's nx ov civ is put twice, and intimates in the former passage
that Moses (to whom the word tn, grace, is repeated in reply,
taken from his own very prayers from Ex. xxxiii. ver. 13 : where
there occurs the same Ploce), and that in the latter passage, the
others, were ilg p(;/X;aSas among the thousands [as to whom God
said of Himself, keeping mercy for thousands'], to whom sinners,
their children, grandchildren, etc., are opposed, Ex. xxxiv. 7.
And thus, this testimony is extremely well fitted to prove, that
there is no unrighteousness with God. This sentiment is mani-
fest to beHevers. But in regard to those, who maintain the effi-
cacy of good works, it sounds too abrupt : the reason why God
should be merciful, is none other than His own mercy, for no
other is mentioned in the writings of Moses, concerning Moees
and Israel. I will have mercy, i.e. no one can extort anything ly
force ; all things are in My hand, under My authority, and depend-
ent on My will, if I act otherwise, no one can charge Me with in-
justice. This answer is sufficient to give to the defender of good
works ; and if any farther answer is given to him, it is super-
fluous.
16. "Apa. oZv, therefore) so also ver. 18. The inference of Paul
here is not drawn from the particle ov av, whomsoever, but from
the words iXsS and olxTiipu, I have mercy, and I have compassion.
— o!) roD) not of the man that willeth, nor of him that runneth,
supply it is, the business, or, will, course [the race is not of him
that runneth, etc.] ; not that it is in vain to will rightly, and,
what is of greater importance, to run, or strive rightly, 1 Cor.
ix. 26; Phil. iii. 14: but because to will and to run produce none
of the things aimed at by those, who trust to their works. The
human will is opposed to divine grace, and the course [the run']
of human conduct to divine operation. — Comp. ver. 30, 31.
17. Aiysi) saith, i.e. exhibits God speaking in this manner,
comp. ch. X. 20, saith. — y&p, for) He proves, that it is of Him
132 ROMANS IX. 18.
who shows mercy, even God. — ra (bapacti, to the Pharaoh) who
lived in the time of Moses. — on eig alrh touto s^^ysipa ei, Sircai
i\ibii^!a!/,ai h go! rrii dha/iiv /lov z.r.X.) Even for this same purpose
have I raised thee up that I might show my power in thee. The
LXX, Ex. ix. 16, Kal evixiv roirou dnrfif^Sris ewj rou vuv, ha hdsi^co/Mi
h go! Tn'' igx^^ /*"" ^•'>:>- For this cause, thou hast been preserved
until now, that I might show my power, etc. — i^riyupa gi) TTilDyn
LXX. Int. dierrjpfiSris (as Exod. xxi. 21, TDV> diaB'ouv, to pass one's
life), but Paul according to his custom says more significantly,
i^fiyupa ff£ : but it should be carefully observed, that by iZ^iyiipa
here the meaning of the word D^pn is not expressed, as it is used
in Zech. xi. 16, but TiDVn, which in all cases presupposes the
subject previously produced. See the difference of these two
Hebrew verbs in 1 Kings xv. 4. The meaning then is this : I
have raised thee up to be a king very powerful (in whom I migljt
show My power) and illustrious (by means of whom [owing to
whom] My name might be proclaimed throughout all the earth).
Therefore this i^syspgig, raising up, includes the 8iaTr,piT\i, preserv-
ing, as the LXX. render it, using the milder term : and also in-
cludes the Iveyxeii, which in ver. 22, is introduced fi-om this very
passage of Moses. The predecessor [the former Pharaoh] had
previously begun rather to oppress Israel ; Exod. ii. 23 : nor vet
did the successor repent. The Ordo Temporum,, p. 161 [Ed. II.
142], determines his reign to have been very short, and therefore
his whole administration was an experiencing of the Divine power.
It must be added, that this was told to Pharaoh not at first, but
after he had been frequently guilty of excessive obstinacy, and
it was not even then intended to discourage him from acknow-
ledging Jehovah and from letting the people go, but to bring
about his reformation. — &vmfiiv, power) by which Pharaoh with
all his forces was drowned. — SiuyyiXri, might be declared) This
is being done even to the present day.
18. "Ox SiXii) whom He will. Moreover, as regards the ques-
tion, to whom God wills to show mercy, and whom He wills to
harden ; Paul shows that in other passages. — sXeeT, has mercy)
as for example on Moses. — SKX^pivei, hardens) as He did Pharaoh.
He ns,es, hardens, for, has not mercy, by metonymy of [substitut-
ing, for the antecedent,] the consequent, although not to have
mercy has a somewhat harsher meaning : so, is sanctified, for,
BOMANS IX. 19-21. 383
IS not unclean, 1 Cor. vli. 14; and, you rescued from, lippUaek\,
instead oiyou did not deliver up. Jos. xxii. 31.
19. "Er(, as yet) even still. This particle well expresses the
peevish outcry. To the objection here put, Paul answers in two
ways. I. The power of God over men is greater than the power
of the potter over the clay, ver. 20, 21. Then II. He answers
more mildly: God has not exercised His power, not even over
the vessels of wrath, ver. 22. — aurou. His) It is put for, of God,
and expresses the feeling, by which objectors of this description
show their aversion from God.
20.^ ' Av^fuiti, Omxm) weak, ignorant of righteousness \i.e. the
true way of justification]. — ii,r\ ipiT, x.r.X.) Isa. xxix. 16. Ou^
•jig irnXhg rou xif>a/j,sus XoyisS^gisSs ; /ji,fi epiTrh irXda/jtU rtti wXdeavri axirli,
ou tfi) fii iirXagag. The same prophet, ch. xlv. 9, iJ,n epiTo 'jrnXig ra
x.ipd/Mi' : Ti ■TToiii's, on oxix IpydZri, o\)ii £%£'S X^'P^^' ^^ aToxgiSrieeTai rh
•xXdeiLa fphg rh 'rXdaavra, airo; Shall ye not be reckoned as the pattellas
clay ? Shall the thing formed say to Him that formed it, Thou
liast not formed me ? Is. xlv. 9, Shall the clay say to the potter,
what art thou doing, that thou dost not work, thou hast no hands ?
Shall the thing formed answer Him that formed it ? — (Vers. LXX.)
21. "h) particle of interrogation [an?]. — l^ouelav, power) con-
strued with, over the clay. The potter does not make the
clay but digs it out ; God makes man, therefore He has
greater power [over man], than the potter [over the clay].
But absolute power and liberty do not imply, that the will
and decree are absolute. If God had left the whole human
race under the power of sin and death. He would not have
done unjustly, but He did not exercise that right. [Man is
struck with the vivid exhibition of Divine power, so that he ever
after unlearns all the outrageous (unreasonable) suspicions of his
thoughts, against the justice [righteousnessl of God, Matt. xx. 15;
Ex. XX. 20 ; Job xhi. 2, 6. — ^V. g.]. — pupd/j-aroi) lump, which has
been prepared from clay and softened by steeping, and has its
1 Mei/ovvyi, but truly) This answer savours of a severe and somewhat
vehement nature. Men of fierce dispositions must certainly be restrained ;
but the sweetest foundation of the whole argument is subsequently disclosed
to them that are called, ver. 24. In this discussion, he who merely cuts off
a portion of it from the rest, must be perplexed and stick at trifles ; but he
proceeds easily, who thoroughly weighs the whole connection of chapters ix.,
X., xi.— V. g.
134 ROMANS IX. 22.
parts now more homogeneous. — u; ari/Jav, to dishonour) Paul
speaks circumspectly, he does not yet say, to wrath : vessel must
be construed with these words [To make one, a vessel unto
honour, etc.J
22. E/' dif but if) This particle has this as its apodosis to be
supphed at the end of ver. 23 from ver. 20 : God has much
greater cause to complain concerning man, and man has less
cause to expostulate with God [than the potter concerning the
clay, and the clay with the potter]. Comp. lav, John vi. 62,
where also the apodosis is to be supphed. It is a question, but
one imphed, not expressed, with an eUipsis, What reply hast thou to
make [if God wiUing to show, etc., endured, etc.J. — SsXuv, willing)
Corresponds to the. His will, ver. 19, and to. He will, ver. 18.
Paul speaks xar avSgwirov, [" after the manner of man :" or, taking
advantage of his opponents' unavoidable admissioni in the words of
his opponent; and so el signifies whereas, [since, as you must grant].
At the same time, we must-observe that what he says of the vessels
of wrath is more scanty, and of the vessels of mercy more copious;
willing to show, he says, not, [wilhng, putting forth His will]
that he might show, comp. next verse [where iu the case of the
vessels of mercy, he says, ha, ymglgri, though here ver. 22 in the
case of the vessels of wrath, he says, yvupisai], and Eph. ii. 7. —
hdBi^asSai — rj hbvarov airov, to show His power) These words are
repeated from ver. 17. — rriv 6py^v, wrath) He does not say, the
riches of his wrath ; comp. ver. 23. — rh duvaThv) This signifies,
what Pie can do (potentiam 'might') not what He may do
(potestatem ' right' [l^outf/a]). — tinyxm, endured) as He endured
Pharaoh. — h -jroXXfi fiaxpo6u/iicf., with much long-suffering)
viz: in order that it might allure the wicked [the repro-
bate] from their state of ahenation from Him to repentance,
ch. ii. 4 ; 2 Pet. iii. 9. God endures many bad men, in the
enjoyment of great and long continued good fortune in this
life, when He might at the very first have consigned them
to death. The gate of mercy and grace is still open to
them. This long-suffering, humanly speaking, precedes His
" will to show His wrath," nor does it merely follow it.
His enduring is not wont to be exercised until He is about
to show His wratK\ : wherefore myxev should be translated,
Md endured [previous to His will to show His wrath.] By
ROMANS IX. 23, 24. 135
this very circumstance the question, wlio hath resisted ? ver.
19, is most powerfully refuted. — ipyfjg) of wrath, which is not
indeed without cause, but presupposes sins ; he does not say, of
disgrace, nor unto wrath, but of wrath, [i.e. the fault is in them-
selves. '\ — xaTripriBjjAm, fitted) It denotes the disposition [fitness]
internal and full, but now no longer free [no longer now liable
to change], not the destination ; he does not say, which He
ftpoxarripriffi, previously fitted, although he says in the next verse,
which he prepared, comp. ver. 19, ch. xi. 22, note ; Matt. xxv.
34, mth ver. 41, and Acts xiii. 46, with ver. 48. This is dis-
tinct from the ef&cient cause ; what is said merely refers to the
state in which God finds the reprobate, when He brings upon
them His wrath. — i'lg antiiiKuav, to destruction) The antithesis is,
ver. 23, unto glory.
23. '\m, that) Denotes more distinctly the end and aim, with-
out excluding means. — yvupisfi, might make knowri) This verb is
applied to things not formerly known ; it is therefore put both
here and in the preceding verse, but hdeixwffSai, to show, is only
used in verse 22 concerning wrath ; of which even the Gentiles
have some knowledge. — ItI, upon) The sentence is thus quite
consistent. But if God that He might make known the riches
of His glory, supply, did this, or, in other words, made known
the riches [of His glory] on the vessels of mercy ; respecting the
apodosis, see the beginning of the note, ver. 22. — r^s ^ofis) of
His glory : of His goodness, grace, mercy, wisdom, omnipotence,
Eph. i. 6. — eX'sov;) of mercy, ver. 15, 16, 18, 25, which presup-
poses the former misery of those, styled vessels. — rrporirol/iamv,
previously prepared) antecedently to works, ver. 11, by the
arrangement of all the external and internal circumstances,
which he, who is called, finds tending to his salvation, at the first
moment of his call. This is implied by the preposition in irporiroi-
lj.aei\i. So a vessel unto honour, prepared, 2 Tim. ii. 21.
24. Ous y.a.1, whom also) nal, also, in chap. viii. 30, Cluverus :
whom (having been previously prepared for glory) He hath also
called. — ixaXidiv, called) in some respects an antithesis to. He
endured, ver. 22. Again, / will call, occurs in the next verse. —
fifia;, us) This gnome ^ leads Paul to come to the proposition
1 ' Noema,' a gnome or religious and moral sentiment appertaining to
hnman life and action See Appendix.
136 ROMANS IX. 25-27.
respecting grace, which it laid open to Jews and Gentiles ; and
he proceeds to refiite the Jewish Particularism, and to defend
the universality of grace. — oi /isvon If, not only from) The believ-
ing Jew is not called on the very ground that he is a Jew, but
he is called from the Jews. This is the root of the word ixxXngici.
\The epistle to the Ephesians most especially corresponds to this
whole- section, as well as to the exhortation, chapters xiv. xv.,
deduced from it. — ^V. g.J — if 'loudalciiv, from the Jews) He treats
of this at ver. 27. — If ihuv, from the Gentiles) He treats of this,
ver. 25, etc.
25. A'eyii, saith) God. Paul asserted the prior right of God
in calling the Gentiles, and their actual calhng, and now at last
that the event is shown, he brings in one testimony from the
Old Testament, and ch. xv. 9, etc., a number more in succession,
by a method worthy of notice. The predictions, though nume-
rous and quite clear from their fulfilment, yet in the first in-
stance do not easily obtain belief. The strength of the following
quotation is not in the verb xaXltfw I will call [name], but in the
other part of the expression : h.akisiv. He called, is used as in
viii. 30. Nevertheless naming immediately accompanies calling,^
and in a manner precedes it. — xaXigu rhv oi \a6v ,2, consummated, corrh-
pleted) ; and at the same time 6ri//,ev. —
-rpoilpnMv, said before) Before the event, or before the prophecy
quoted at ver. 28. — eal3au6) In 1 Samuel and in Isaiah, m^aiii
is put for the Heb. word nsnx ;. in all the other books it is
translated Tatroxparup, Ruler over all. Prom this circumstance
there is strong- ground for conjecturing, that one or perhaps
several persons were employed to translate those two books, and
that diiferent persons translated the rest. And in the same first
book of Sam. Scripture begins to give this title to God, although
others had been formerly used as it were in its place. — Exod.
xxxiv. 2?,.—ei:ipiJ,u, a seed) There is denoted 1) a small number
at the present time, 2) the propagation of a multitude after
deliverance from captivity. — in ^6Sofj,a, as Sodom) where not a
single citizen escaped ; no seed was left.
30. T/, what) He returns from the digression, which he had
138 ROMANS IX. 31-33.
commenced at the middle of ver. 24, and takes in summarily
the whole subject, ver. 30-32. There is a mitigation of the
severity of the discussion continued from ver. 6 to ver. 23 ; but
it will only be comprehended by him, who is acquainted with the
way of faith. In short, by this tone of feeling the foregoing
remarks are judged of. — xareXa/Ss) liave attained [Luke xiii. 29,
24.] — -TTigTsug, hy faith), ver. 33, at its close.
31. NoiMov diKMoevvrig eig v6//,ov bixaioelivrn, the law of righteousness
to the law of righteousness) He did not use the word law, in the
preceding verse, concerning the Gentiles ; but now uses it in
speaking of the Jews ; and there is a ploce or repetition of the
words in a different sense ; concerning legal and also concerning
evangelical righteousness. While Israel is foUomng the one
law, he does not attain to the other. The apostle appropriately
uses the expression, the law of righteousness, for, the righteousness
of the law. The Jews rather looked to the law, than to
righteousness : vo^oj, doctrine, nTiD. — om ipSagt) did not attain.
32. "Or; because) viz. they sought after it [followed after it\. —
oux — aXX' iis) The Basle Lexicon says : iig in comparing things
dissimilar is doubled, and the one as is elegantly understood in the
former member, and as is only joined to [expressed in] the latter
part. Examples are there subjoined from Aristotle ; we may
compare John vii. 10 ; 2 Cor. xi. 17 ; likewise Acts xxviii. 19 ;
Philem. v. 14 ; Phil. ii. 12.
33. 'l8ov rlSrriJ,! h liiiv X!9ov •ffpoixo/J^^aTos, xai 'jrerpa.v anavhaXow
xai iras o "irignxiuv im ahrSi ou Karaig^uvSijeerai) LXX., Is. XXviii. 16,
Idoii iyii e/i^aXu sis r^ h//,iXia ^liiv Xlhv ffoXi/nXS), enXeXTov, axpoyu-
viaiov, ivn/MV sis rSi 6i/j,sXia, auruv, xcx,! 6 iriSTshuv hr aurSi oh xaraia-
X^'^^Vi Is- ^iii- l^' ""' "^X ^^ ^'^of '!rpoex6fif/,a,ri ewawfissah,' ovhs
iis vsTpas TTUfian. Such, a one will not be made ashamed, and
so will obtain glory ; comp. ch. v. 2, 5. This denotes eternal
life, Is, xlv. 17.
ROMANS X. 1-4. 139
CHAPTEE X.
1. 'AdiXipol, brethren) Now that he has got over, so to speak,
the severity of the preceding discussion, he kindly addresses
them as brethren. — /ih, indeed) di usually follows this particle,
but di, ver. 2, is absorbed in aXXa, but. — ivSoxla, well-wisMng,
desire) I would most gladly hear of the salvation of Israel. —
dsrisig, prayer) Paul would not have prayed, if they had been
utterly reprobates [cast away.]
2. ^z^Xou ©sou, a zeal of God) Acts xxii. 3, note. Zeal of God,
if it is not against Christ, is good. — oi aar I'Triyvaan, not accord-
ing to knowledge) An example of Litotes [expressing in less
strong terms a strong truth] i.e. with great bhndness ; it agrees
with the word, ignorant, in the next verse. Flacius says : The
Jews had and now have a zeal without knowledge ; we on the con-
trary, alas! to our shame, have knowledge without zeal. Zealand
ignorance are referred to at ver. 19.
3. Zriromris, seeking) by all means. — ov^ bvirdyneav, have not
been subject) and have not obeyed," (yir^xoveav) ver. 16. 'T^oraysj,
submits itself to the Divine wiU, ra iiXnv, the will of GoD.
4. TeXoff, the end) bestowing righteousness and life, which the
law points out, but cannot give. TiXtg, the end, and nthrt^unLoi.,
the fulfilment, are synonymous ; comp. 1 Tim. i. 5, with Eom.
xiii. 10, therefore comp. with this passage Matt. v. 17. The law
presses upon a man, tiU he flies to Christ ; then even the law
itself says, thou hast found-a refuge. I cease to persecute thee,
thou art wise, thou art safe. — Xpigrhs, Christ) the subject is, tJie
end of the law. [Not as Engl. Vers. " Christ is the end of the
law"]. The predicate is, Christ (viz. uv, who is) in [every one
that believeth ; not as Engl. Vers., " the end of the law to every
one"] etc. [ver. 6, 7, 9.] — crair/ rS msrsijovTi, in every one that
believeth) The words, in the believer, are treated at ver. 5,' etc. :
and the words, every one, at ver. 11, etc. -jravri, in every one,
namely, of the Jews and Gentiles. The ix. chap, must not be
' Tap, for.) Therefore even in those, who are not in a state of grace,
something at least may be found which may induce those, who rejoice in the
Divine favour, to intercede for them. — V. g.
110 ROMANS X. 5, 6.
shut within narrower limits than Paul permits in this x. chap.,
which is more cheerful and more expanded ; and in it the word
all occupies a very prominent place, ver. 11, etc.
5. Vpdfii, writes of), [thus exhibiting the truth that] " the
letter killeth." It is antithetic to ver. 6, 8 : [the righteousness
by faith] speaks, with the Uving voice [not writes, as Moses].
There is also another similar antithesis : Moses in the concrete ;
the righteousness which is of faith in the abstract. — on o -Troirieac,
x.r.X.) Lev. xviii. 5, LXX.,'7ro/;j(r£r£ aura a Toirjsag, x.r.X.
6. 'H sx irldTit^g Sixaioivvri, the righteousness which is of faith")
A very sweet Metonymy, i.e. a man seeking righteousness by
faith. — X'syii, speaks) with himself. — /^jj £'V»jff, say not) for he,
who says so, does not find in the law what he seeks ; and he
does not seek, what he might find in the Gospel : viz. righteous-
ness and salvation, which are in Christ and are ready for
believers in the Gospel. And yet, whoever only hears and
heeds that fi-om Moses, The man that doeih shall live, considers
it necessary, thus to say [who shall ascend into heaven, etc.] —
xapSicf, in the heart) The mouth [ver. 9] is also attributed to
faith ; for faith speaks ; but unbelief generally mutters. — rig,
x.T.X.) Deut. XXX. 11-14, LXX., Sn hroXf) aZrri, ^v syii hTiXXo/iai
eoi BriiiiSpov ol'^ iiiripoyxog ieriv, oiiSi /j,axpav a'sh eou ienv. cux h ru
oupawp sari, Xlyctiv rig a\iaj3ri(Si7v,i fi/iuv eig tov ovpavhv, xal Xff^irai
riiJM ahrrtv ; xal axousavng avrrjv iroir}(So/iiv. oiiSi iripav rrig SaXasfftif
sBt}, Xiyiar Tig Sia'TTipdaerai ri/J,iii tig rh Tipav rfig iaXdasrig xal Xfi-^iTai
>]/j,iii airriv. xai axoudavng airijv vroiriifo/jiiv. eyyvg gov iari rh pril/jO,
ifiodpa : h arofjiar! gov xal iv r5j xapiia gov, xal iv raTg ')(ipei gov, 'iroisiv
xvrh. " For this commandment which I command thee this
day is not overwhelmingly great ; nor is it far from thee ; it is
not in heaven, that thou shouldst say, who amongst us shall go
up to heaven and obtain it for us, that we may hear it and do
it ? nor is it across the sea, that thou shouldst say, who shall
cross the sea and bring it to us, that we may hear it and
do it ? The word is very near to thee, in thy mouth and in
thy heart and in thy hands to do it.'' This paraphrase, so to
speak, very sweetly alludes to this passage, without expressly
quoting it. Moses speaks of heaven, as well as Paul, but the
former afterwards says, across the sea, instead of which Paul
most dexterously turns his discourse to the abyss, that he may
KOMANS X, 7. U\
on the contrary [in antithesis to their question as to the abyss]
make mention of the resurrection of Christ from the dead. The
abyss is a huge cavity in the terraqueous globe, at once imder
the sea and the land. Compare, as to many things connected
with this subject, Job xxviii. 14, 22 ; Phil. ii. 10, note. — rig
ava^ndiTai ; who shall ascend ?) He, M'ho thus speaks, shows his
willingness, but declares his inability to ascend and descend, so
as to fetch righteousness and salvation from afar. — roui' ten, that
is) Their perverseness is reproved, who say, Who shall ascend
into heaven ? for they speak just as if the word concerning the
Lord of heaven were not at hand, whom the mouth of the
believer confesses to be Lord, ver. 9, and they who wish to
bring salvation down from heaven, wish to bring Christ (as
being the One, without whom there is no salvation) down from
heaven, whence He has already descended : but as the latter
cannot take place, so neither can the former. The words, That
is, in the present is thrice used, with great force.
7. Totjr esTi), that is. That is construed with to say, as sub-
stantive and adjective. Moreover, they are again reproved for
perverseness, who say, who shall descend into the deep ? for they
speak just as if the word concerning the resurrection of Christ
from the dead were not nigh at hand, and the heart of the
believer acknowledges, that He has risen, in the same ver. 9 :
and they who wish to fetch salvation from the depths of the
earth, wish to bring Christ (since there is no salvation without
Him) from the deep, which He left once for all at His resurrec-
tion ; but as the latter cannot happen, so neither can the former.
Therefore the believer, so far as this is concerned, regards not
either heaven or the deep, since he has the thing which he desires,
as near to him, as he is to himself. But unbelief is always
fluctuating ; it is always wishing, and knows not what it wishes ;
it is always seeking, and finds nothing. Hence it looks down
at the deep with giddiness, nor can it look up to the heaven
with joy. — Xpierov, Christ) The unbeliever does not fetch Christ
m His own name, that is in the name of Christ [in His peculiar
attributes as anointed Saviour] either from heaven or from the
deep : but the righteousness by faith, speaking here, suggests to
the ignorant unbeliever to call upon the name of Christ, as
much as to say, that which thou art seeking, O unbeliever [O
142 ROMANS X. 8-10.
unbelief], whilst thou art moving heaven and the deep, and art
taking refuge in heaven or the deep, (as we find in Virgil, I will
move heir- [Acheronta movebo], know that it can neither be
thought of by me, nor be found by thee, without [outside of]
Christ, ver. 4. The expression is hypothetical. That, which
cannot be done, — to fetch righteousness from afar [opposed to,
is nigh thee'\, from heaven or out of the deep ; Paul sets this
aside : and so leaves one only refuge, the word of Christ, which
is very near.
8. 'AXKfi, but) The particle here either has an augmentative
[i'jrira.Tixnv : See Append, on Epitasisl meaning as in Matt. xi.
8, 9, or faUs upon syyug, nigh thee. — lyyvs, nigh) We ought not
to seek Christ at a distance, but within us. For while faith is
beginning to believe, Christ dwells in the heart. This seeking
for Christ [at a distance, instead of within one's own heart] is
found not only in those who are merely beginning, but even in
those who are making progress in faith, Song of Sol. iii. 1 ; Ps.
cv. 3, 4. For he is here speaking, as if the righteousness of
faith were itself conversing with itself. — In rip erofhari gov xal tv
rjj xap&lcf, (Toil) so it is in the Hebrew, but the LXX. add xal h raTg
X^po'i ffo" '""!''■' 's'"^") Tlie word, that is, the word of faith is nigh
9. Eai/) if only — o/ioXoy ))?>);, thou shalt confess) Confession
in itself does not save ; otherwise infants would not be saved :
but only in as far as it includes faith. — Kipwv, the Lord) The
summary of faith and salvation is found in this appellation. He
who confesses that Jesus is Lord, does not now any longer [now
for the first time ceases to] endeavour to bring Him down from
heaven. — ijyeipsv sx vixpuv, hath raised Him from the dead) The
special object of faith. He who believes the resurrection of
Jesus does not now any longer endeavour to bring Him from
the dead, ver. 7,
10. KapSlcf,, with the heart) From the mentioning of the ' heart'
and 'mouth' by Moses [in Deut. xxx. 14, quoted here at ver. 8],
the consequence is [here by Paul referred, or] proved in reference
to ' faith,' and ' confession ;' namely, because the * heart' is the
proper subject of ' faith' and the ' mouth,' of ' confession ;' there-
' Aen. vii. 312.
KOMANS X. 11-15. 143
tore Paul here in tWs verse begins his sentences, by saying, with
the heart, and with the mouth.
11. Asyti, saith) ix. 33, note.-'
12. Ou yap idri SiagroXri, for there is no difference) ch. iii. 22
Here the words first to the Jews, are not added, as at the begin-
ning, ch. i. 16. — ydi,p aurhg, for the same) ch. iii. 29, 30. —
Kup;of, Lord), ver. 9. — 'irXovrZv) rich and hberal, whom no mul-
titude of believers, how great soever it may be, can exhaust ;
who never finds it necessary to deal more sparingly.
13. nS; OS av, whosoever, Acts ii. 21, note. This mono-
syllable, vag (alV), more precious than the whole world, set
forth [as a theme] ver. 12, is so repeated, ver. 12 and 13, and
farther confirmed, ver. 14, 15, as not only to signify that who-
soever shall call upon the name of the Lord, shall be saved,
but that God wills that He should be called upon by all, for
their salvation.
14. 15. nwff, how) A descending climax; by which Paul
argues from each higher to the next lower degree, and infers
the necessity of the latter, as also from that necessity [infers]
its very existence. He who wills the end, wills also the means.
God wiUs that men should call upon Him for their salvation ;
therefore He wills that they should believe ; therefore He mils
that they should hear; therefore He wills that they should
have preachers. Wherefore He sent preachers. He has done
all that the matter [the object aimed at, viz., man's salvation]
required. His antecedent will is universal and efficacious.
14. 05 am ^xovgav) whom, namely, when speaking in the
Gospel, ver. 15, or offering Himself, thei/ have not heard.
15. TlZig ds xiipv^ouffiv, but how [how then] shall they preach)
viz., 01 xripuggovTig, those preaching. This word, as well as those
going before, is put in the future tense, in imitation of Joel, in
whose writings this expression, shall call, is found, ver. 13, by
that [manner, which Paul has at times, of] looking from the
Old Testament [standing-point] to the New. — xaSojg, as) i.e.
messengers [of the good tidings] were not wanting. Isaiah in
spirit saw their eager steps. — ug — i'lpnvrtv, rSv Juay/sX/^o^E^wi/ to,
ayaSa) Is. hi. 7. LXX iig — a-M^v eipmg og iuoi,yysXit,6/istiog ayaSa.
' Ou x.tt.Ta.iD3
denotes other nations.
20. ' AvoToX/iS,) What Moses had merely hinted at, Isaiah
boldly and openly proclaims. — lipUtjv, I was found) I was
ready at hand for, Isa. Ixv. i., LXX., J/tpanj? lyivfj^rjv roii sfii //,ri
^jjroDtf/v, iipi6i]v roTi Ifii (iij l-jnpoiruaiv, I luas made manifest to them
that sought Me not, I was found hy them who asked not after Me.
21. "OXjji', whole) Isa. ibid. ver. 2, lxx., ii^intiraea. rag Xiipag
I/jo\) 'iXriv rnt rjf/>ipa,v -Jtphg x.r.X., comp. the whole day, [all the day
long] ch. viii. 36, see the remarkable dissertation of J. C.
Pfaffi/us, on the continued grace of God. — i^tmrasa, I extended)
A metonymy [see Appen.] of the antecedent [for the conse-
quent]. They permit Me to extend My hands, nor do they come.
Even by this one word alone the doctrine T)f the double will of
God, viz., a mere good-will [which is towards all men], and a
will of sealing [cerfam j)ersons as, His elect; beneplaciti et signi ;
lidoxia, Luke ii. 14, good will ; but gx7.asav yovu rw BaaX. jind I loill have
in Israel seven thousand men, all the knees, which have not bowed
to Baal. From the verb Xe/Vw [in xariXimv, I have left\ we de-
rive XiT/L/j,a a remnant [a portion left] ; see what follows. — i^aurffi,
to myself) Paul adds this for the sake of emphasis, in antithesis
to the complaint of Elias about his being left alone. The Lord
knows His own people. — kvraxie'xj'Kiovg, seven thousand) among a
people, who had become reduced to a wonderfiilly small number,
the number is not small, nay it was itself the whole people,
1 Engs XX. 15. From these the whole posterity of the ten
tribes at least were descended. Heb. ?3, i.e. purely such as these,
without any admixture of the worshippers of Baal. I do not
say, that they were the same individuals, who are mentioned in
1 Kings XX. 15, and xix. 18 ; but the number is equal, viz.,
seven thousand, in ch. xx. 15, and about seventy years after-
wards, in ch. xix. 18, after the time of Hazael, Jehu and Elisha,
comp. 2 Kings xiii. 7, 14. — Hvhpa.g, men) Men were chiefly taken
into account in reckoning, and were present at public worship ;
therefore their wives and children also are to be added to the
seven thousand. — Tjj BaaX) In the feminine gender, supplying
iixovi, the image of Baal, used by way of contempt, and antithetic
to men. So the LXX. also Judg. ii. 11, etc. Under the asser-
tion of guiltlessness as to the worship of Baal, guiltlessness as to
the worship of the golden calves^ is included.
5. oh, then) The conclusion drawn from the Old to the Ne-w
Testament.
' Set up by Jeroboam in Dan and Bethel, 1 Kings xii. 29.— Ed
148 ROMANS XI. 6-8.
6. XdfiTi, hy grace) The meaning of the dative is one, and that
of the particle ex. with the genitive is another [is different]. The
former rather indicates the vehicle or instrument, as a canal, in
the pure and simple sense ; the latter, more properly the mate-
rial cause, the principle [first origin], the source. — ohx tn, now
no longer \no morej) This phrase used four times shows the
strength of the conclusion. This decree, which God has decreed,
is absolute : I will make men righteous only hy faith, no man hy
works. This decree no one shall break through. — yinrai — isrh,
[becomes] is made — is) This is a nice and just distinction between
these words [lost sight of in the Engl. Vers.]. Nature asks
for works; faith acknowledges supervenient grace, ysvofihriii [gi'ace
coming into exercise]. So, tyinro [came into exercise] John i. 17.
ipepo^evrjv X"'P"j 1 -P^t. i. 13. — il &i l§ ipyuv, oux 'in icri yjli-fic,' s-ttiI
ro 'ipyov ovx 'in kfri 'ipyov. But if it is of works, then is it 7io more
grace, otherwise work is no more work) From this short clause, if
is no more of works, this inference is drawn, Israel has not ob-
tained : and from that short clause, it is no more grace, the in-
ference is, the election has obtained. The first part of this verse
excludes works, the second establishes grace ; with this comp.
ver. 5. The first part forms the protasis, the last, the apodosis,
which is always the more necessary part, and is improperly
omitted by some in this passage, comp. by all means ch. iv. 4, 5 ;
Eph. ii. 8, 9. Grace and work are opposed to each other, n^J?a
LXX. for the most part interpret it spyov, work, for example Ps.
cix. 20.
7. 'H IxXoyn, the election) chiefly of the Israelites, the election,
that is, the elected, inasmuch as being elected, obtain.
8. "'EioiXiv axiToTs 6 0f Jf 'jrviv/ia xaravd^iu;, 6, Ps. Ixix. 22, where, on comparing with it the pre-
ceding verse, there is an allegory, i.e., while they are carelessly
taking their food, let them be taken themselves. — exdviaXov,
stumbling-block) It is taken in the more literal sense in this
passage, to correspond with the synonyms, noose and instrument
of capture (laqueus and captio) ; for sxdvBctXov is the moveable
stick in a trap. It corresponds to B'pID in the above psalm.
There is a gradation : the noose (laqueus) catches a part, for
example, the foot ; the instrument of capture (captio, ifipa., trap)
holds the whole ; the stumbling-block (scandalum) not only
catches, but also hurts. — a.vTa'!r68o//,a, recompence) Their fault,
therefore, not the absolute decree of God, was the mediating
cause of their rejection.
10. :SxoTi(rSriToitsa,v. — auyxot./i'^ov) They, who have their eyes
darkened, and their back bent, are sure to stumble, ver. 11, and
rush into a snare.
11. "E.'TfTo.igav) i^r)(SiTai. Blachwall has collected other examples
in the Sacred Classics, p. 432, ed. WolL, where he praises this
very passage of Paul on account of its elegance. Certainly lan-
guage, framed, as this is, rather categorically, tends to excite
fear [more than conditional or potential language, as pe/V^ira;
would be.j
22. X^JiffroVjjra Kal a-zoro/j^iav, goodness and severity) An im-
portant disjunction. — imfishfjg, thou shalt have continued) To con-
tinue is in respect to what is good, in this verse ; in respect to
what is evil in the next [im/nivueiv, abide in unbelief]. The one
is described on the part of God, the other on the part of man •
comp. ver. 28, 30, etc. The Roman [Church] has not remained
in goodness, since the righteousness of works has been intro-
duced. — Itil, otherwise) Behevers may utterly fall away. — Ixzo-
T^ff^i, thou shalt be cut off) by the sword ; not merely, shalt be
broken off [exxXaeHrieri'], as they were, by the hand. m3, Lxx.,
ixxoKTu, I cut off, Jer. xliv. 8, not however generally in that
sense, in which, / utterly destroy, (J^oXoSpiiu), is used.
23. 'Eav iLr\, if not) Therefore their conversion will not be
[the effect of] irresistible [grace]. — iuvarlg, [able] powerful) it
might be a principal objection : how will the Jews be converted,
who for so many ages act so as to withdraw themselves from the
ROMANS XI. 24, 25. ]J3
faith, separate [draw aside] the Old Testament revelations
from the true Messiah, and snatch them out of the hands of
believers ? Paul answers, God has power : comp. the, powerful
[able], ch. xiv. 4 : and He will show the glory of this power,
against which no one in the Gentile world can strive. There
will then be a great work ! — ^aX(v, again) not only in [with] a
smaller [comparatively small] number, as now, but in [with]
a greater number, as formerly, when they were the people
of God.
24. ' AypieXaiou, of the wild olive tree) There is as great a dis-
tinction between those, who either have not, or have the
revealed word, as there is between the wild and cultivated olive-
tree. — ■zapa, (pUii) quite contrary to nature, for in the art of
gardening, the process of engrafting, which unites two trees of
a different nature, commits the soft graft, which is followed by
the fruit, to the woody stem : but Paul says, that the graft of
the wild olive is inserted into the good olive-tree, in order that
it may follow [in consequence partake of] the fatness of the good
olive.— ^oVa; /jiaXkov, how much more) He gradually comes from
that which can be, to that which actually is. The discourse in
fact assumes an augmentation of force ; formerly Paul demon-
strated from the prophets, that in Israel there were more wicked
than good men, he now demonstrates in like manner from the
prophets, that there will be hereafter more good than wicked
men ; and while he is drawing forth this statement, he calls it a
mystery, fitted to check the pride of the Gentiles, lest they
should think that the part assigned to the Jews was to be always
inferior.
25. MugTYipiov, a mystery) Paul does not always apply the
term, mysteries, to those doctrines, which from the very first are
necessary to be known by behevers, but to the secrets, which
were unknown even to many believers, until, as the case
required, for the sake of faith or love they were opened up to
them from the Scriptures, heretofore in this respect sealed.
Comp. 1 Cor. XV. 51, and on a similar occasion Eph. iii. 3.
The calling of the Gentiles had been a mystery, ch. xvi. 25.
But now the conversion of Israel is likewise a mystery. [There-
fore something different is intimated from such conversions, as were
exhibited day by day in the times of Paul. — Y. g.] Each of these
154 ROMANS XI. 26.
forms a great part of that mystery, which is confirmed in Rev.
X. 7. Furthermore, since it is a mystery, they ought to be
treated with patient forbearance who do not recognise it so
quickly, and we should hope for the time, when it will be
recognised by all. — ^fpovifioi, wise) dreaming, that the church at
Some cannot fail. Cluverus. The very term, mystery, checks
the reader's pride. Hence the admonition is repeated at. ch. xii.
16, which is already to be found atver. 20, note. — a-jrh /iipoug, in
part) He speaks in a way softening the unwelcome truth ; for 0/
•TiipuSivre;, those, who were hardened, were as " the sand of the sea,"
ver. 7 ; comp. with ch. ix. 27. Therefore, in the following verse,
the conversion, which will not be in part [as their hardening
was, which yet comprised as many as the sand], but wiU include
all Israel (see foil, verse), will be by far the most abundant.
And in the mean time also, there are always some being con-
verted, and for this desirable object it becomes believers to be
always on the watch. — TrXtipoi/ia., fulness) a most abundant sup-
ply ; the antithesis is in part. No nation shall remain, to which
the Gospel shall not have been preached in the whole world ;
although a great part of mankind will still continue to be
wicked. — ileiXirt, shall come in) John x. 9, 16. For many ages,
now, many obstacles retard [put a drag on the wheels of] this
coming in, obstacles which will be broken through at the proper
time, so that the fulness of the Gentiles, who have been long
since called, may entirely come in ; and then the hardening of
Israel will terminate, Ps. cxxvi. 2, 3. Paul provokes the Israel-
ites to Christian jealousy ; and this presupposes the conversion
of the Gentiles before that of Israel, and yet the remaining
abundance of the Gentiles may afterwards be gained by the full
conversion of Israel, ver. 11, 12, 15, 31 ; Ez. xxxix. 7, 21-27.
26. -Ao.} o'\iT!a, and so) he does not say and then, but with
greater force, and so, in which very expression the then is
included ; to wit, the blindness of Israel will be terminated by
the very coming in of the Gentiles. — tSs 'lepafiX, all Israel)
Israel contradistinguished from the Gentiles, of which ver. 25
treats. The words, JT'lsti', a remnant, and nt3''7a, deliverance, are
' We should never consider a, mystery for the sake of curiosity : we should
always seek to be humbled before it. — V. g.
ROMANS XI. 27, 28. 155
used in respect of those that perished ; but the Remnant itself,
numerous in itself, will be wholly converted, Mic. ii. 12.
euifiSiTai) shall be saved : The Latin Vulgate has expressed this
by, salvus fieret; and not inappropriately.^ It contains this
sentiment, the fulness of the Gentiles shall he brought in and so
all Israel shall be made safe ; but a%f /s o5, until, has changed the
former verb elasXiueerai [Indic.J into elffeXirj [Subj.J, the second
verb, aca^eirai, remaining indicative]. — See similar instances
noticed at Mark iii. 27. The Latin Vulg. has expressed the
meaning. — ij^ii sx ^luv — diaSrjKri, oTav a.ria,v aurov, h.t.7'.., and this is Sis blessing, when
I shall take away his sin. Heb. IVS? PSIJ, and there shall come to
Zion (and for its benefit) the Redeemer, and to tJiose turning from
transgression in Jacob. Paid, ch. iii., in describing sin had
quoted Ps. xiv., and chiefly ch. lix. of Isaiah : now in describing
salvation, he joins together the same texts. He says, Ix 'S.idiv, out
of Sion, as the LXX., Ps. xiv. 7. The Deliverer or Redeemer
comes (sx) out of Sion and (?) hixa.) for good to Sion. His
coming has been already accomplished, and the firuit will arrive
at perfection at the proper time. Sion is a whole, in a good
sense, Jacob here is a whole, in a less favourable sense ; those
returning are a part.
27. A-vrn, this) of which see in the preceding verse. — vap
iaov, from me) He himself wiU do it. — diaSrixri, testament [cove-
nant]) — namely, it shall then be and shall be unfolded. — rug
&fiapriag) sins, and the miseries arising from them.
28. ''Ex,6poi) enemies. Therefore the obstinacy of the Jews
ought not to be alleged to the prejudice of their conversion.
Moreover, they are called enemies, in an active sense ; presently
[by and by] they shall be called beloved in a passive sense (both
in respect of God, not merely, of Paul) ; the evil is to be
imputed to man ; the good proceeds from God. So also mercy
^ Thus the "Vulg. makes au6iiatra.t depend on axV^ "^i ^"'^'^i " ""^^^ *^*
fulness of the Gentiles shall come in, and until all Israel shall thus be saved."
—Ed.
ISS ROMANS XI. 29-32.
and unbelief are opposed to each other, ver. 30, etc.— i' hn,ai,
for your sokes, ver. 31, 12, 15.
29. ' A/iira/ieXrjra,, without repentance) Truly an apostolic axiom.
Something absolute is signified ; for God will not give way to
the unbelief of His own people [so as to suffer it to continue]
for ever. Repentance is hid from the eyes of the Lord [i.e.
change of His purpose, as to raising Israel from its present
spiritual ' death,' is impossible with God], Hos. xiii. 14. — x."'^'"''
(lara, gifts) towards the Jews. — xKrigig, calling) towards the
Gentiles.
30. -/.al) ■'I formerly admitted this particle marked with an
obelus, thus f, and am now glad that Baumgarten agrees with
me, — 7}'?r£iSri(!aTi, ye have not believed) unbelief falls upon [applies
to"" even those, who themselves have not heard the word of God,
because they had however received it primitively in the persons
of the patriarchs Adam and Noah. [The Gentiles are account-
able for not having retained the revelation received from Adam,
Noah, etc.]
31. 'H'jriiSrioav, they have disbelieved) They have been left to
their unbelief. — ra hnirip^, your [of you]) the Genitive of the
object, [your mercy, i.e. the mercy, of which you are the objects^
as TO. ixiri Aauld, the mercies of David, 2 Chron. vi. 42, loy fiSn,
the favour directed to thy people, Ps. cvi. 4. — iXeu, through
mercy) construed with iXiriDuei, might obtain m,ercy ; for ha,,
that, is often transJ)osed ; and in verse 30, the disbelief of the
Jews precedes the mercy of the Gentiles ; wherefore in verse 31
the mercy of the Gentiles does not [is not to be supposed to]
precede the same disbelief of the Jews [as would be the case, if
sXh;, owing to your partaking of mercy, were taken with riitiUrt-
ffav]. See App. crit. Ed. ii. on this passage. — iXin^uai, might
obtain mercy) that mercy, which goes before faith, and which is
only acknowledged and received through faith, by which a-aeikia,
disbelief is retracted.
32. 'SvvixKsigi, hath concluded together), Jews and Gentiles,
comp. Gal. iii. 22, note. The phraseology of the Lxx. Lit.,
Ps. Ixxviii. .50, is ilg idmrov auvsHXuee, He shut up to death, he
] The German version agrees in this. — E. B.
ABCD (later correction), G/g, omit xcci, before ifit7:. But Vulg. and
Rec. Text, have it. — Ed.
ROMANS XI. 33, 34. 167
gave over, — s/s amlhiav, in \untd\ disbelief) Eph. ii. 2. Those
who have experienced the power of disbelief, at length betake
themselves with the greater sincerity and simplicity to faith. —
ha) that. The thing itself will be accomplished. — roig vdvTag)
them all without exception, [less accurately, all, in Engl. Vers.]
all together ; comp. ver. 30, 31. — sXsrjgr], might have mercy) His
mercy being acknowledged by them, ver. 6, when faith is given
to them by Himself.
33. 'n ^ados, the depth) Paul in ch. ix. had been sailing, as
it were, on a narrow sea ; he is now embarked on the ocean.
Tlie depth of the riches is described in ver. 35, and has respect to
ch. ix. 23, X. 12. (wherefore it (of the riches) ought not to be
resolved into a mere epithet) ; the depth of wisdom is described
in ver. 34 ; the depth of the knowledge, in ver. 34. Comp. con-
cerning riches and wisdom, Eph. iii. 8, note, and Eev. v. 12.
The different meanings of biblical terms are worthy of being
well noticed and collected. Wisdom directs all things to the
best end ; knowledge knows that end and issue. — dig, how) No
one examines, no one searches out, but He Himself. Here and
in ver. 34', there is a Chiasmus i^ as is seen by comparing the
antecedents and consequents together. The depth is described
in the second part of ver. 33 [How unsearchable, etc., answering
to the depth']. Knowledge itself, as we have said, is described in
ver. 34, for who [hath known, etc.] — wisdom itself is described in
the words or who [hath been His counsellor] : riches themselves,
in ver. 35 [who hath first given to Him, etc.] — rd; xpl//,aTa,
His judgments) respecting unbeHevers. — u! oSoi, His ways) re-
specting believers. A gradation. His ways are as it were on
the surface. His judgments more profound; we do not even
search out His ways [much less His judgments].
34, T/'s yap — lyhiTo) Isa. xl. 13, LXX., Tig 'iyvu — xa/ Wj auroy
tfu/ij8ouXoff. Who ? i.e. none : but He Himself. — ya/>, for. The
more express quotation of Scripture follows. In proving
doctrines the phrase is used, it is written, in other places, it is
often omitted, ch. xii. 20. — voijv Kvplou, . the mind of the Lord)
Isaiah has mn^ nn DX, the Spirit of Jehovah. Paul uses the
version of the lxx. Otherwise mi and wvc, are not synonymous ;
but the conclusion arrived at is very good ; no one apprehends
' See Appendix.
158 ROMANS XI. 35, 36.
the Spirit, therefore no one apprehends the mind or sense of
the Lord. Reference to the Holy Trinity is imphed, comp. on
the words, els ahrh, to Him, ver. 36, Isa. xxxiv. 16, at the end
of the verse. — glif^jBouXos Paul says, not only that no one has been
eu/i^ovXoc, but not even now can be so : ev/ijSovXog is either a
partner in counsels, or, one at least privT/ to them ; for he had said
just now, for who hath known the mind of the Lord? And yet
many in their discussions, for example, on the origin of evil,
which touch upon the recesses of the Divine economy much
more deeply than this, which is from religious reverence broken
off by the apostle between ver. 32, 33 (for there is a great differ-
ence between the fall of many angels and of the whole human
race on the one hand, and, on the other, the fall of the Israelites
[the latter is a much less profound mystery than the former])
many such, I say, boast, as if they were not only the Lord's
counsellors, but also His inquisitors. His patrons, or His judges.
Scripture everywhere stops short at this point, that the Lord
hath willed, and hath said, and hath done it : It does not un-
fold the reasons of things universal or particular; respecting
those things that are beyond our present state of infancy, it re-
fers believers to eternity, 1 Cor. xiii. 9, etc. The thirst of know-
ing will torture and burn others, who unreasonably pry into
mysteries, throughout eternity.
35. "h rig, x.t.tC) Some adopt these words in the LXX., Isa. xl.
14 : others do not ; but Job xli. 2, Hebr. and Vulg. have it
thus : Who hath previotisly given to Me, that I may render to Him
again ? All things which are under heaven are Mine.
36. E^ aiiTou xal 5/' avTou nal slg airhv, of Him,, and through
Him, and to Him) The Origin, Course, and End of [The Source
from whom come, the Agent through whom is maintained the
continuance of, the End for whom are] all things, is here denoted,
comp. 1 Cor. viii. 6. [Furthermore, Ig aCroD, refers to riclies ; 8'
aiiroO, to wisdom; fig auriv, to knowledge. — V. g.] — ^ So^a, the
glory) of the Eiches, Wisdom, Knowledge. [Along with this dox-
ology to Omnipotence, is included the praise of Divine Wisdom
and Love, from which the creatures derive their strength, under-
standing, and blessedness. — ^V. g.J — a^^v. The final word, with
which the feeling of the apostle, when he has said all, makes a
termination.
aOMANS XII. 1. ISi
CHAPTER Xn.
1. napaxa'AM, I exhort) Moses commands : the apostle exhorts,
Paul commonly gives exhortations consonant to the doctrines,
which had been previously discussed, Eph. iv. with which comp.
ch. iii. So in this passage the general application drawn from
the whole discussion is contained in ver. 1, 2, as the allegations
which immediately follow prove. We have shown at i. 16 the
special applications from ver. 3 up to the conclusion of the epistle.
— dia, ruv oiKrip/Muv, by the mercies) The whole sentiment is derived
from Chapters i.— v. ; the word has its origin in the antithesis to
wrath, ch. i. 18 : for the whole economy of grace or mercy, ex-
empting us from wrath, and rousing the Gentiles especially to
the discharge of duty, is indicated in this passage, ch. xv. 9.
He who is rightly affected by the mercy of God, enters into the
whole will of God. \But the soul exposed to wrath scarcely de-
rives any benefit from exhortations. You are ^^ pouring oil on a
stone" — V. g.] — vapasTnaa^i, that ye present) Tn so large a list of
duties, Paul has none of those things, which in the present day
among the followers of the Church of Rome, generally make up
both sides of the account, -sapaarrtiai is repeated from ch. vi.
13, 16, 19, to yield, to present. The oblation is presented alive,
not sacrificed. — e'StfJuarcx,, bodies) antithetic to the abominable
abuse of their bodies among the Gentiles, ch. i. 24. For more
antitheses presently follow in respect of this same topic. The
body is generally an impediment to the soul : present the body
to God, and the soul will not be wanting, ch. vi. 12. See also
ch. vii. 4 ; Heb. x. 5. Vice versa, the soul, when subject to the
magistrate, will be obedient with the body also, ch. xiii. 1. —
guifiara, Xarpiiavj bodies, [worship^ service) We have here the
apposition of these two words by metonymy,^ indicating body
and soul. — Suaiav, sacrifice) Sin having become dead : comp. on
this sacrifice, ch. xv. 16. — ^ueav, living) That life, which is men-
1 Antecedent for consequent, or vice versa, as here ; service, for, the soul
which serves. — ^Appendix.
160 BOMANS XII. 2.
tioned in ch. i. 17, vi. 4, etc. It is an abomination to offer a
dead carcase. — Uyiav, holy) such as the holy law demands, ch.
vii. 12. — shafudTov, acceptable, well-pleasing) ch. viii. especially
ver. 8. — tSi ©eC, to God) construed with ■zapaar^gai, to present.
— Xoyix^v, reasonable) sincere (1 Pet. ii. 2) in respect of under-
standing and will : the verb doxi/id^eiv, ver. 2, is in consonance
with this ; and f/ipough) f/'oppous7i>, to use moderation) au(pp(iaiiin, an excellent virtue among those
that are spiritual. — V. g.
VOL. IH. ^
1S2 ROMANS XII. G.
for there is an apodosis at the end of ver. 4 ; but sg/j,h denotes we
are, and at the same time inclines to [borders on] a gentle exhor-
tation [let us be, by implication], as Gal. iv. 28, note. Hence in
the several parts of this enumeration, the imperative ought to
be understood, comp. ver. 14 ; but it is Paul's characteristic
^Sog, not to express the imperative often, after it has been once
put at the beginning, as in ver. 3. — ^aplg/j-ara, gifts) these are
of (liferent kinds, %a^'S, grace is one. — rrpoptiniav, prophecy) This
stands first among the gifts. Acts ii. 17, 18, xi. 27, xiii. 1, xv.
32, xix. 6, xxi. 9, 10 ; 1 Cor. xi. 4, etc., 12, etc. ; Eph. ii. 20,
iii. 5, iv. 11; 1 Thess. v. 20; 1 Tim. i. 18, iv. 14; Rev. i. 3,
etc. When these passages are compared together, it is evident,
that prophecy is the gift, by which the heavenly mysteries, some-
times also futiu-e events, are brought under the notice of men,
especially believers, with an explanation of Scripture prophecies,
which could not be elicited by the ordinary rules of interpreta-
tion. But the other gifts, which we find in the first epistle to
the Corinthians, are not added in this epistle, which is other-
wise so copious. See ch. i. 11 ; 1 Cor. ix. 2, notes. — xara, accord-
ing to) Repeat, ive having, viz., the gift, prophecy, and so in suc-
cession. So just before, according to the grace, [as here, " ac-
cording to the proportion of faith]. As it is given to a man, so
ought a man to be of service to others. — rr\\> avaXoylav rrjg «'(mwf,
the proportion [analogy of faithj) i.e., as God distributes (to
every prophet) the measure of faith, ver. 3 : for there already
Paul slightly touched upon this point, and he now returns to it,
after some other topics had been introduced in the intervening
verses. Prophecy and faith are closely connected, 1 Cor. xii. 9,
] 0, xiii. 2. Peter treating of the same subject, first epistle iv.
11, says, 'fls Xoyia Qiou, as the oracles of God. It is much the
same as if Paul were to say, whether it be prophecy, [let it be
restricted within the limits of, or] in prophecy ; with which
compare what follows : let it not be carried outside of and be-
yond the bounds of faith ; nor let any one prophesy from the
promptings of his own heart, beyond what he has seen ; and
again, on the other hand, let him not conceal or bury the truth ;
let him only speak so far as he has seen, and knows, and believes,^
^ The construction is, whether it he prophecy, we are [i.e. we ought to be
as Christians] persons who have it according to the proportion of faith. — Ed.
ROMANS XII. 6. 163
see Col. ii. 18 ; Eev. i. 2. Paul himself affords an ex-
ample of such a proportion [analogy], 1 Cor. vii. 25. Eras-
mus says, The phrase, according to the proportion, gives
one to understand, that the gifts are the greater [are bestowed in
the greater number], in proportion as one's faith shall have [hath]
been the more perfect ; so also, Com. a Lapide, Piscator, Peter
Martyr. Basihus M. on the Holy Spirit, He fills all things with
Sis powerful working, and they, who are worths/, can alone receive
Him, nor is He merely received in one, iJ'iTfui, measure, but, xara,
vi.va'Koyiav rrig widTeug, according to the proportion of faith. He dis-
tributes his operations, c. 9. Chrysostom : for although it is
grace, yet it is not poured out uniformly, but taking the several
measures [the yarious proportions in which it is poured out] from
the [several states] of those who receive it, it flows in propor-
tionally to what it has found the size of the vessel of faith pre-
sented to it. Lichtscheid discusses this point at great length in
Tr. Germ, vom ewigen evangelio (of the everlasting Gospel),
p. 60, etc. As with Paul here, so with Mark the Hermit, the
m£asure, liirfov, and the proportion, avaXoyla, are one and the same
thing : see his book, 'jnpl ruv o'lo/ihuv l§ ipyav Six,aioi6rivai (concern-
ing those who think that they are justified by works), a little past '
the middle. The knowledge of a maris affairs (business, conduct)
depends on the proportion in which he puts in practice the pre-
cepts of the law, but the knowledge of the truth (of the doctrine
of salvation) depends on the measure of faith in Christ; and this
same writer often uses the word, ava'koyiai, in this sense. In
the writings of Paul, however, the word i/^irpov is used in the
sense of limiting, in reference to moderation or the avoiding of
excess ; whereas amXoyla has a fiiller meaning (if we compare
it with what follows) in reference to the avoiding of deficiency
[the full proportion]. In what theologians call the creed, all
the heads agree together in an admirable analogy [completeness
of proportion], and each article, respecting which a question
occurs, should be decided according to the articles already
certainly known, the interpretation of the rest should be ad-
justed according to the declaration [the dictum] of Scripture
clearly explained ; and this is the analogy of Scripture itself,
and of the articles of faith, which form the creed. But every
man does not know all things; and, of what he does know, he
16* EOMANS XII. 7-9.
doea not know all with equal certainty ; and yet he holds the
things, which he certainly knows, by that very faith, by which
the creed is formed ; wherefore both he himself, in prophesying,
should determine all things according to the analogy of the
faith by which he believes, and others, in hearing [also ought
to determine all points] according to the analogy of the faith,
whereby they believe [and form their creed [. 1 Cor. xiv. 29,
37 ; Heb. xiii. 8, 9 ; 1 John ii. 20, and the following verses.
7. E/Vf, or) This word is thrice repeated by the figure Ploce
[See Append.] Do, what thou art doing, in earnest, in order
that the reality may correspond to [keep] its own name [that
what you do, may correspond to what you profess to do], Eccles.
ix. 10. The principle of the subsequent sentiments is the
same.'
8. Mirahi'&obg) ^'dovai signifies to give ; fiiTaSidovai to impart, [to
give a share,] so that, he who gives, may not strip himself of all,
that he has. — h avKorriTi) as God gives, James i. 5, ' liberally^
abundantly, 2 Cor. viii. 2, \neither prevented hy the desire of
private advantage, nor by anxious deliberation, whether or not
another may be worthy of the favour given, and whether proper
moderation be observed in giving. — ^V. g.] — 6 irpo'iaTdfLivoi;') one who
has the care of [rules, Engl. V.] others, and has them under his
patronage. — sv c^ouSji, with diligence) The force of this word is
very extensive ; ver. 11 ; 2 Cor. vii. 11, note.
9. "H a/aT?), love) He treated of faith fi:om ver. 3 ; he is now
to treat of love. Verses 9, 10, 11 have respect to ch. vii. ;
ver. 12 to ch. viii.; ver. 13 to ch. ix. and the following
chapters, concerning the communion of believers whether
Jews or Greeks. The third clause of the sixteenth verse is
repeated from ch. xi. 25. — amffruyovvTi; — xoXXufjuvoi, abhornng —
cleaving) both in the mind and in the outward manifestation of
it, even when at the risk of incurring danger and ill-will. The
aniroKpiToc, the man without dissimulation, is shown in Prov. viii.
7, Let my lips hate wickedness ; wickedness is an ABOMINATION
to my lips. This is rightly connected with love, 1 Cor. xiii. 6.
Very emphatic words. He, who is without hatred of evil, does
' 'Ed rfi iiaxcu/ltf, on the minUtry) Let not the minister assume too much
to himself and after all not fully discharge his duty V. g.
BOMANS XII. 10-13. 165
not really love good. From this passage, the discourse moves
forward in pairs of sentences. [There are men 1) who patronise
evil and assail good : 2) who love good, but do not abhor evil with
that indignation which it deserves : 3) who disdain evil, but
cherish good more coldly than is proper : 4) who so abhor evil
and cleave to good, as that in their case no one can be ignorant
ofit—Y.g.-]
10. ^iXoeropycj, kindly affectioned) eropyri, the spiritual love
of brethren. — ff^ojyou/iEi/o/, [Engl. V. preferring'] anticipating,
or leading the way in doing honour to one another) if not
always in gesture and actions, at least always in the judgment
of the mind. That will be so, if we rather consider the good
qualities of others and our own faults. These are the social
virtues of the saints [homileticse. Or perhaps, " their virtues are
a kind of living sermon to the world."] The Talmudists say :
whosoever knows, that his neighbour has been in the habit of
saluting him, should anticipate him by saluting him first.
11. Tji evovdrj — rf) •jmbfiari, in diligence [business, Engl. Vers.] —
in spirit) The external or active, and the internal or contempla-
tive life is thus set in due order. — rjD Kup/w douT^eLovreg, serving the
Lord) We ought to serve Christ and God, ver. 1, ch. vii. 6,
xiv. 18, xvi. 18 ; Acts xx. 19 ; Phil. ill. 3 : Ps. ii. 11, where
serving and rejoicing are parallel, as in this passage. [See App.
Crit. Ed. II. on this passage, which shows that the reading xaipa^ is
quite unsupported and unworthy of the apostle. Not. crit.]
12. 'EXmSi, in hope) So far respecting faith and love, now also
concerning hope, comp. ch. v. and viii. Then concerning our
duties to others, to the saints, ver. 13, to persecutors, ver. 14, to
friends, strangers, enemies, ver. 15, etc. — ■xaipovrn, rejoicing)
True joy is not only an emotion of the mind and a benefit [pri-
vilege], but also a Christian duty, ver. 15. It is the highest
complaisance in God. He wishes us to rejoice and to spend our
spiritual life joyously.
13. laTg %f£/a;j) rrt 6Xi-^(i, Phil. iv. 14. There was much
occasion for this especially at Kome. It is particularly remark-
able, that Paul, when he is expressly treating of duties arising
» AB and prob. all Gr. MSS. of Jerome, Vulg. and most Versions read
KvfiV. But D(A) corrected later, and Qfg read xa/jji. — Ed.
166 ROMANS XII. 14-18.
from the communion of saints, nowhere gives any charge con-
cerning the dead. — diuxovng, following after) so that you not
only are to receive to your house strangers, but are to seek
them out.
14. AiiixovTag, persecuting) for the sake of Christ. — xal //,7\
xarapaeh, curse not) not even in thought.
15. X.a,ipiiv, rejoice) the infinitive for the imperative, a thing
not unfrequent among the Greeks, and here a gentle mode of
expression \moratus, indicative of ri6og, a feeling, viz. here the
avoidance of the authoritative Imperative]. T exhort is under-
stood, taken from ver. 1. Laughter is properly opposed to
weeping, but in this passage as in 1 Cor. vii. 30, joy is used, not
laughter, which is less suitable to Christians in the world.
16. ToTg Tuitimtg, to lowly things [Engl. V. " to men of low
estate"]) Neuter, for the phrase high things precedes. — ewaror-
yofiivei, being [suffering yourselves to be] carried along with) the
verb has the force of the middle voice, by which voluntary evy-
xard^adig, condescension, is denoted. The proud think, that he,
who is himible, is led away, but it is a good thing to be led
away in this manner ; so it was with David. — firi yineh (ppovifiti
Tap' eavToTg) Prov. iii. 7, LXX, f/^ri "eh fpovifiog '!rapoi eiavT^ [comp.
Rom. xi. 25.]
17. Ilpovoov/iBVOi xaXa evumov •savrui)/ avSptti-Troiiv) Providing things
honest in the sight of all men. Prov. iii. 4, LXX., irpomoZ xaXA
ivumov Kuplou xal a.vSpu'jruv. — xaXA, becoming) A precious stone
should not merely be a precious stone, but it should also be
properly set in a ring, so that its splendour may meet [attract]
the eye. — vavrm, of all) For many are suspicious and unjust.
See the following verse.
18. 'El, if) if possible. He makes it conditional, and this
clause may be construed with the 17th verse, inasmuch as good
actions, especially if circumspection be wanting, may often
appear to some not so good as they really are. — to £| v/j,uv, so far
as it lieth in you) This is a limitation, for it is not always pos-
sible owing to others. — fiirii vwirm avipdirui, with all men) of
whom there was a very great conflux at Eome. No man is so
savage, as not to have the feelings of humanity towards some
individuals, but we ought to be peaceful, gentle, meek towards
all, Phil. iv. 5 ; 2 Tim. ii. 24 ; Tit. iii. 2. \_Once and again at
ROMANS XII. 19, 20. 167
some time or other in the whole course of our life, we have to
transact business with some individual, and according as we behave
to him, so he ever after forms his estimate of our character and
general conduct. — V. g.] — Biprttuvovng, being at peace) xiv. 17, 19.
19. 'Ayairrirol, beloved) By this appellation he soothes those
who might feel angry ; and he often uses it in the exhortations,
that flow from a sense of the Divine grace which had been
exercised towards the exhorter and those to be exhorted : comp.
ver. 1. — Bon riirov, give place) He who avenges himself, flies upon
[seizes unwarrantably] aU that appertains to the wrath of God. —
rj) hfyr!) that wrath, of which so many things are said in Scrip-
ture ; that is : the wrath of God, which alone is just and alone
deserves to be called wrath [Not as Engl. V. seems to imply,
Yield to the wrath of your enemy]. This is an ellipsis, due to a
feeling of religious reverence, 2 Chron. xxiv. 18. — i/tto/, to me)
supply, let it be [left to Me, as My Divine prerogative], Deut.
xxxii. 35, ri/Jtipc^ txdixrieecijg avra'jrohdieu, I will repay in the day of
vengeance. — Ix&lxrieji, vengeance) Hence Paul mferred — not aveng-
ing yourselves, sx5ixi~v, to exact by law, to prosecute a law-suit to
the utmost. — lyci/ avru-jroSusoi, I will repay) i.e. leave this to me.
[77ws consideration easily suppresses all desire of vengeance.
Suppose, that your adversary is not better, and that you are not
worse than you think of yourself and him : he will either obtain
at length the Divine grace, or he will not. If he shall obtain it,
he will also acknowledge no doubt the injury, which he did to you,
even though you should not be alive ; and in this case you will not
desire, I hope, in consequence of any grudge of yours, to debar
him from access to GoD, but rather would feel delight in as-
sisting him in every way with your prayers. If he shall not
obtain it, G0T> at least in His own behoof as supreme Judge, will
by no means fail to punish him severely for the fault, for which
you have granted him pardon. — Y. g.] — Xsyii Kupiog, saith the
Lord) A form of expression used by the prophets, which the
apostles did not use, but when they quoted the prophets ; be-
cause, the prophets had one mode [ratio] of inspiration and the
apostles another.
20. Ea,v oh miv^ — ■^ti/j.ili — ahrou) LXX. Prov. XXV. 21, 22, i^\i
irtiv^ — Tpi(pi [^ii>/j,iZ,i in LXX. ed. by Holmes and Bos] avrov, 6 d'e
Kupiog ANTAnOAnsEI 6oi aya6d. If he hunger, feed him [his
168 ROMANS XII. 21. XIII. 1.
head], and the Lord will repay thy good deeds. The apostles applied
the phrase, it is written more to doctrines, than to morals. — ix^pog,
an enemy) This especially holds good of a bitter and violent enemy.
— -vpw.a/^E, feed) with thy hand. So LXX., 2 Sam. xiii. 5. Thus
will even thy iron-hearted enemy be softened. — avSpaxai •jrvphg,
coals of fire) The end of all vengeance is that an enemy may be
brought to repent, and that an enemy may deliver himself into the
hands of the avenger. A man will very easily attain both objects,
if he treat his enemy with kindness. Both are described in this
remarkable phrase ; for it is such a repentance as that, which in
the greatest degree hums ; 4 Esd. xvi. 53, and an enemy be-
comes v/illingly the property of his avenger ; you will then have
him entirely in your power [ready at your nod to obey]. — ii:] rfiv
■x.£(paXriv a'jroij, upon his head) i.e. upon himself, upon him wholly,
in that part too where he W"ill feel it most.
21. M)] vixu, be not overcome) vixZ in the middle voice. They,
whom the world consider to be conquerors, are in reaHty con-
quered. — xaxoH) by the evil, of your enemy, and of your own
nature. — vlxa, overcome) He is a brave man, who can endure. —
h Tu a.ya6a rh xcfAov, evil with good) So also ch. xiii. 3, 4, with
which there is a charming connection.
CHAPTER XIII
1. naga, every) The apostle writes at very great length to the
Romans, whose city was the seat of empire, on the subject of
the magistracy, and this circumstance has all the force of a public
apology for the Christian religion. This, too, may have been
the reason why Paul, in this long epistle, used only once, and
that too not until after this apology, the phrase, the kingdom of
God, on other occasions so customary with him ; xiv. 1 7, for,
instead of the kingdom, he calls it tJie glory; comp., however,
Acts xxviii. 31, note. Every individual should be under the
authority of the magistrate, and be liable to suifer punishment,
if he has done evil, ver. 4. — -^vxfi, soul) He had said that their
bodies ought to be presented to God, ch. xii. 1, presupposing
ROMANS XIII. 2, 3. 1C9
that the souls would be ; now he wishes souls to be subject to
the magistrate. It is the soul, which does either good or evil,
oh. ii. 9, and those in authority are a terror to the evil work, i.e.
to the evil doer. — ^A man's high rank does not exempt, him from
obedience. — i^ovglaig ivspi^oigaig) e^o-jdla, from iifj,l, birifi-yra from
tX"'y being is before having: 'Mifi-xphsaig contains the aetiology [See
Append. Be subject to the powers because they are vrrips'^ovsai :
the cause or reason], 1 Pet. ii. 13, Fr. Souverain, Sovereign. —
h'jrorass'isioi) The antithesis to this is avriraoeoiawz, ver. 2. The
Conjugates are nrayiihoi, diccrayr,. Let him be subject, an ad-
monition especially necessary to the Jews. — s^ougla, power) s^ouala,
denotes the office of the magistrate in the abstract ; al Si i^ouaiai,
ver. 2, those in authority in the concrete, therefore 8i is interposed,
Intirarmov [forming an Epitasis, i.e. an emphatic addition to ex-
plain or augment the force of the previous enunciation. — Appen.J.
The former is more readily acknowledged to be from God than
the latter. The apostle makes an affirmation respecting both.
All are from God, who has instituted all powers in general, and
has constituted each in particular, by His providence, — il /^^ airo)
See App. crit. Ed. ii. ad h. v.^
2. A/arayjj, the ordinance') the abstract, in which the concrete
is implied. So 1 Pet. ii. 13, xr/V/s, creature, in the abstract [but
Engl. Vers, the ordinance] ; it at the same time includes, for
example, the king, in the concrete. — avSigrriJiiv) The Preterite, i.e.
by that very act resists. — xplfi^a) Divine judgment, through the
magistrate. — "kfi-^ovrai, they shall bring on themselves) While they
take to themselves another's power, they shall by their own spon-
taneous act take [bring] on themselves, receive judgment. We
have here the figure ^Mimesis [an allusion to the words of
another with a view to refute him].
3. °"Oux — ayaduv) not — of good works. This is immediately
' G Orig. D corrected later, read a^ro. But AB read i/«. Vulg.^and
Iren. have the transl. Lat. a. — Ed.
Jerome omits from al Se to liaiv. But ABD(A)G Vulg. Memph. fg
Versions, Iren. 280, 321, retain the clause, omitting, however, liovaiat :
which word is retained by Orig. and hoth the Syr. Versions and Eec
Text.— Ed.
2 See Appendix.
3 The margin of the 2d Ed. prefers the reading, tu iiy»6f "'PVi'i «''?"» t^
170 ROMANS XIII. 4, S.
discussed, Wilt thou — as to good. — Kaxm, of evil) This is treated
of at ver. 4, if [thou do that which is evil] — upon him that doeth
[evil]. They especially do evil who are also rebellious. For
at the beginning of the verse thus retains its own proper force.
— iiXiii, wilt thou) AU in some degree will, but they do not in
an equal degree so act. — /ii\ ipo^iTtSai, not be afraid) One kind of
fear precedes bad actions, and deters men from committing them ;
this fear continues, ver. 7 : another kind follows bad actions, and
from this fear, they are free, who do well. — 'i'Traivov, praise) 1 Pet.
ii. 14, along with a reward ; comp. 1 Cor. iv. 5.
4. &£o\J y&p, for of God) There is here an Anaphora or re-
petition of the same word at the beginning of different clauses.
There is a trace of Divine providence in this, that even wicked
men, appointed to the magistracy, give their support to what is
good, and visit evil with punishment.-" — eoi, to thee) This to thee
is used with great elegance respecting him, that doeth well, but
rSi is used indefinitely respecting the evil-doer. — ilg) so far as
concerns what is good, what is for your advantage. — rJ xaxJv,
evil) Good is marked as in direct antithesis to this evil in
ver. 3, not in ver. 4. — popiT, wieldeth [bearethj), not merely psfs/,
carries : [c/estat, not gerit; wields'] according to Divine appoint-
ment.
5. 'Avayxji) Baumgarten remarks that this word is wanting in
some MSS. It is only wanting in the Graecb-Latin, which are
imworthy of the name of MSS. where they have no Greek
copies agreeing with them (as also happens, ch. i. 19). I do
not mention this for the sake of contention, but because I am
well assured of the advantage conferred on the Greek New
Testament by him, who lessens the authority of the bilingual
copies in any passage. — bidi, riiv hpytiv, for [on account of, through
fear of] wrath) which hangs over the evil-doer, ver. 4. Hence
we have another manifest connection of this with the preceding
chapter, in which see ver. 19, [give place] unto wrath. — bi^ njn
xaxti. So also the German version. — E. B. So the oldest authorities
ABD corr. later, G, Vulg-. fg Iren. Memph. But both Syr. Versions have
ruu a-yat&Zy ipyuv — Kaiccjs/. — Ed.
' AiecKouos karm. He is the minister) Paul uses the same words concern-
ing the magistracy, as he uses to express on other occasions the ministry of
the Gospel. So also ver. 6. — V. g.
ROMANS XIII. 6-9. 171
(tuvilirigiv, for vonscience' sake) whicli expects the praise of a good
action from the minister of God, ver. 3.
6. Aeirovpyol, ministers) The ministry and the magistracy are
adorned with the same titles. So ver, 4, diaxovog, comp. Is.
xliv. 28 ; Jer. xxv. 9. — ^poexaprspouvm, [attending continually]
persevering) O that all men would do so rightly.
7. '0a, the hour) viz. it is. This word marks
a short period of time. We take account of the hour for [with
a view to] rising. — Ijdij, already) without delay ; presently after
there occurs vZv, at the present time [now]. — l^ Zmou, out of sleep)
The morning dawns, when man receives faith, and then sleep is
shaken off. He must therefore rise, walk and do his work, lest
sleep should again steal over him. The exhortations of the
Gospel always aim at higher and higher degrees of perfec-
tion, [something farther beyond], and presuppose the oldness of
the condition in which we now are, compared with those newer
things, which ought to follow, and which correspond to the
nearness of salvation. — fjiJ,Siv) construed with kyyui, which is in-
cluded in iy/vTipov, rather than with ecarnpla ; for in other pas-
sages it is always called either the salvation of God, or salvation
absolutely, not our salvation, [which Engl. Vers, wrongly gives] ;
comp. on this nearness of salvation, Gal. iii, 3, v. 7. In both
places the apostle supposes, that the course of the Christian,
once begun, thereupon proceeds onward continually, and comes
nearer and nearer to the goal. Paul had long ago written both
his epistles to the Thessalonians ; therefore when he wrote of
the nearness of salvation, he wrote considerately [for he here,
after having had such a time meanwhile to consider, repeats his
statement], comp. 1 Thess. iv. 15, note. Observe also : he says
elsewhere, that we are near to salvation, Heb. vi. 9 : but here,
^ ABD(A) Vulg. Orig. have aiecvriii. But Grand Rec. Text suvtou. — Ed.
' Ov!/, then) Love is not extinguished of itself; for well-doing, unless it
meets with some obstruction from some evil, goes on without interruption ;
hence it is that from the avoiding of evil the fulfilment of the law, which also
includes good, is derived [is made to flow]. — V. g.
HOMANS Xni, 12, 13. 173
that salvation, as if it were a day, is near to us. He wlio has
begun well ought not to flag, when he is near the goal, but to
make progress [deficere, proficere : not to recede, but proceecC].
— 71 giurrjpia) Salvation to be consummated at the coming of
Christ, which is the goal of hope, ch. viii. 24, and the end of
faith, i. Pet. i, 9. The making mention of salvation is repeated
from ch. V. and viii. [Moreover from that whole discussion, this
exhortation is deduced, which is the shorter, in proportion as that
was the longer. — ^V. g.] — ii on imaTevgo(.fji,sv) than at the time, when
we began to believe at the first, and entered upon the path
described, ch. i. — iv. ; so, mgrsusiv, to take up faith, [to accept it,
to become believers] Acts iv. 4, 32, and in many other places.
[ITe, who has once begun well, from time to time approaches either
nearer to salvation, or salvation, as it is said here, comes nearer
to Mm. He has no heed to feel great anxiety, excepting the
eagerness of expectation. — V. g.]
12. 'H vii^) the night of this dark life, •^poexo'^iv, has come to its
height ; the day of complete salvation has drawn nigh, — the day
of Christ, the last day, Heb. x. 25, the dawn of which is this
whole time, which intervenes between the first and second coming
of our Lord. Paul speaks as if to persons awaking out of
sleep, who do not immediately comprehend that it is bordering
between night and day. He who has been long awake, knows
the hour ; but he, to whom it needs now at last to be said, it is
no longer night, the day has drawn near, is understood to be
regarded as one, who is now, and not till now, fully awake. —
'ipya, the works) which they, whilst even still lying [and not yet
awake] perform : comp. Gal. v. 1 9, note ; works, which are
unworthy of the name of arms. Farther, worhs come from
internal feehngs : arms are supplied from a different quarter ;
during the night men are without even their clothes ; during
the day, they have also arms. — feXa, arms) this word is repeated
from ch. vi. [13, Neither yield your members as instruments of
unrighteousness] : such arms as became those, who are light-
armed [ready for action], as the breastplate and the helmet,
1 Thess. V. 8.
13.' Eiiff;^))/i^vws) with good clothing (Jionestly, Engl. Vers., in
^' Cl(h Tifit^cf, as in the day) See that you bear yourself so now, as you
would desire to be seen to be at the last day. — ^V. g.
174 ROMANS XIII. 14. XIV. 1.
the archaic sense, = hecomingly ; in becoming attire). — xiifioif
xal //,i6ai;, not in riotings and drunkenness) as to ourselves, xufio;,
^easting, a lascivious banquet, -vvith dancing and various dis-
orderly acts. — Wisd. xiv. 23 ; 2 Mace. vi. 4. — xolraig xal &ei\-
yiiaii, in chamherings and wantonness') accompanied with others.
— 'ipiii xal ^fjXui, in strife and envying) directed against others.
In ver. 13, 14, there is a chiasmus :^ «.. not in rioting — ^. not in
strife and envying : y. hut put on, in love [opposed to strife, and
inseparable from Christ], the Lord Jesus Christ — b. and — not —
for the lusts. j8 and / correspond, a and i5.
14. Th) Here is summarily contained all the light and power
of the New Testament, as it is the whole of salvation [everything
that is wrong being excluded. — ^V. g.J 1 Cor. vi. 11. — 'lni^« ©sw) Is. xlv. 22, 23, LXX., lyii e'l/ii 6 Qeig xal
o!ix 'idTiv aXKoi — or/ — xai ofiiiTa,! Taea yXuiKga rhv Qihv.^ I am
God and there is none else, and every tongue shall swear hy God.
12.^ AoiSii, shall give) A gentle exhortation : let no man fly
upon [seize] the office of a judge.
13. KplmTi, judge ye) A beautiful Mimesis^ in relation to that
which precedes, [K we are to judge, be this our judgment^ let us
no longer judge. [This matter requires diligent attention. — ^V. g.]
— TpoeTiofjiiJia,, a stumbling-block) if a brother be compelled by one
to do the same thing [as one's self], ver. 20. — axavdaXov, an
offence) if he, the same, abhors you, for what you have done.
14. 'E\i KvpiS) Irieov, in the Lord Jesus) All cases are best and
most certainly resolved in the face of Christ ; / know and am per-
suaded, a rare conjunction of words, but adapted to this place
for confirmation against ignorance and doubt.
15. Af, but) An antithesis. Not only faith, ver. 14, but also
love ought to be present. — Sia ^pSi/j,a) /j^ilugig, [less is said than
is intended] : comp. Heb. ix. 10 : xii. 16 : xiii. 9. — XvireTrai, is
grieved) The antithesis to this is the joy in ver. 17. — oix m, now
no longer) He places before his mind some one who stands sted-
fast in love, and intimates that he ought never lose sight of love.
Love and joy, not love and grief, are connected together. — xarci,
aydirnv, according to love, charitably) Hence the connection of
^ ToS XfWToii, of Christ) God will judge by Christ, ch. ii. 16. — V. g.
^ 'E5o|MoXoy^(r£T«;, shall confess) seriously. The oa'th of believers cor.
responds to the oath of God, Is. xlv. 23 V. g.
' Ileji e«uTo5, concerning himself) not any other. — V. g.
* See Appendix. An allusion to some word or thing previous which bad
been the subject of refutation ; as here, judging.
KOMAJJS XIV. 16-18. 179
the first verse with the preceding chapter, ver. 8, is manifest. —
rp ^ filacer! eou, with thy food \meat^ Do not value thy food more
than Christ valued His life. — i/^n d-roXXuE, do not destroy) 1 Cor.
viii. 11. Even the true brother may perish, for whom Christ
most lovingly died.
16. M)j, not) Liberty is the good of [peculiar to] believers, 1
Cor. X. 29, 30, flowing from the privileges of the kingdom of
God. Generous service in ver. 18, is opposed [antithetic] to the
abuse of this liberty. In the writings of the fathers the Lord's
Supper also is usually denominated to ayaShv, the good, as Suicer
shows, Observ. Sacr., p. 85, which is indeed not inconsistent
with this very passage of Paul, who, writing on the same sub-
ject, 1 Cor. X. 16, takes his argument from the Lord's Supper.
It is comprehended under the good of believers. But he speaks
of Th ayaShv, the good, to show the unworthiness of evil-speaking,
of which either the weak, who consider the Uberty of the stronger,
licentiousness, or even others might be guilty.
17. 'H jSagiXiicc rou Qeou, the kingdom of God) The kingdom of
God is, when a man is under the power [influence] of God, so
1 Cor. iv. 20. — ^f£igig xal 'ttochs, eating and drinking [not meat
and drink, which would be ^ptii//.a, etc.]) It does not consist in
the bold and careless use of liberty, for example in relation to
meat and drink. — bixaioslvri, righteousness) in respect of God.
The three points of this definition relate to the sum of the whole
epistle in their order. The one peculiar characteristic of faith
and Hfe [in the Christian], independently of the article of the
sinner's justification [through faith] is righteousness. — I'lpm,
peace) in respect of our neighbour; comp. ch. xv. 13. — x"^">
joy) in respect of ourselves : comp. ch. xV. 13.
18. 'Ek TouToig, in these things) whether he eats or not ; the
Alex, and others, Lat. [Yulg.] have h rourui : rour^ in the sin-
gular has no antecedent, to which it can be made to refer. It
may have arisen from its aUiteration with rffi, which follows.^ —
iiidpigrog — Soxi/ios, acceptable — approved) He does that, by which
he pleases God and approves himself to, and ought to be ap-
1 ABCD corrected later, Gfff Memph. Theb. Versions, Origen, have h
roiiTu. Rec. Text is supported by the two Syr. Versions alone of ancient
authorities in reading h Toirois. — Ed.
180 ROMANS XIV. 19-22.
proved by, men : he is even approved by- those, whom he has nc
desire to please.
19. Eip^vti;, oixoSo/j^TJi, of peace, of edification) These two things
are very closely connected. Theology is in itself a peace-maker
and is designed for edification. Controversy is not so directly
useful for edification, although it should sometimes be added.— -
Comp. Nehem. iv. 17.
20. M)] x.ardXMi, do not destroy) The effects of even one sin
may be distressing and important moreover, ver. 15. — 'ivixiv
BfufidTog, on account of meat) a very small matter. — ri ipyov rou
@£ou, the work of God) a very great matter : the work, which
God accomplishes within in the soul, by edification, and in the
church by harmony [Faith is principally intended, John vi. 29. —
V. g.] — xaxhv, evil) the word to eat [is evil], is to be supplied
fi-om what follows : He does not say x-axa, evils. — dia rrponxS/L
fiaTog, with offence) so that another may be offended by his
eating.
21. M)j5e, £v S) neither, viz. to eat, drink, do anything, in
which, etc. — -Ttpoex.oimi) stumbleth, and is wounded, induced
rashly to imitate thee, with the loss of righteousness. As there
is a difference between righteousness and joy, so there is a differ-
ence between the loss of each. — e-^atbaXiZirai, is offended) is en-
snared and impeded, feeling a repugnance to thy action [in
eating, and yet doing it in imitation of thee], accompanied with
the loss of peace. — aeknf) is made weak, or at least remains
so, 1 Cor. viii. 9, 10 ; defective in mental strength, and hesitat-
ing between imitation and horror, with the loss of joy : comp.
ver. 17. ^B'a, Lxx., aehvin.
22. Ulenv, faith) concerning the cleanness of meat [all meats
alike]. — (ftaurfi', — ©sou, thyself — of God) a double antithesis, in
relation to our neighbour; as in ch. xv. 3. — £%£, have) The
foundation of real prudence and judicious concealment [of our
views on non-essentials, for the sake of our neighbour]. — /iaxa/>/os,
happy) These words down to the end of the chapter, contain
the antithesis to ch. xv. 1, hut. — xphtav, judging [condemning'^
\_Condemning'] judging and approving are the words in anti-
thesis : by combining the two, the doubting conscience is ex-
quisitely described, when a man approves a thing, and yet
[condemns] judges his own action.
ROMANS XIV. 23. XV. 1-3. 181
23. 'O Se) The reason, why the stronger ought not to induce
the weak to eat. — lAv ipoiyri, if he eat) This must he understood
both of a single act and much more of frequent eating. — zara-
xsxpiTai, is condemned) Comp. Gal. ii. 11, note. — ex xlgnug, or
faith) of which ver. 2, 5 at the end, 14 at the beginning, 22.
Therefore it is faith itself that is indicated, by which men are
reckoned to be believers, informing and confirming, as it does,
the conscience, and constituting partly the foundation and
partly the standard of upright conduct. — a/iaprla, sin) and there-
fore obnoxious to condemnation.
CHAPTEE XV.
1. 'Af, [on the other hand] but) [This is in antithesis to
Happy — Sin, last ch. ver. 22, 23]. There is great danger, and
we are only kept guarded by the power of God ; but we ought
[owe that debt to others] to watch over [pay attention to] one
another. — n/nTg) we. He counts himself also in common with
others a debtor, as an apostle, and as an apostle of the Gentiles.
— 01 buvaroi, the strong) comp. Gal. vi. 1, note. — ^aerdt^uv, to
bear) It is indeed a burden. — ap'sexnv) 'Apiexu, I am anxious to
please. He who is anxious to please himself, is indifferent about
pleasing another, and pays little respect to his conscience. This
is a Metonymy of the antecedent for the consequent [See
Append.]
2. E/'s rj ayadhv, -jrpoi olxoSo/iriv, for good, to edification) ilg, unto,
denotes the internal end, in respect of God ; 'jrphg, to, the exter-
nal end, in respect of our neighbour. Good, the genus ; ediflca
tion, the species.
3. ' O Xpierhg, Christ) who alone was truly dumrhg, strong, comp.
ver. 1 with ch. v. and vi.: Suva^o! strong, ashviTg weak. — oi;^; tauru,
not Himself) Admirable e^iyxara^asig, condescension ! Not Him-
self but us, ver. 7, 8 ; Ps. Ixix. 32 : Christ procured apiexe'iav,
what is well-pleasing to God for those, who see and are glad
• ' 0(J)ii\ofiiii, we ought) for Christ's sake, ver. 3. — V. g.
182 ROMANS XV. 4.
[Referring to Ps. Ixix. 32, which see]. — aXXa) but, viz., He took
that upon Himself, which is written. — yiypairrai, it is written)
Ps. Ixix. 10, with which comp. ver. 11, 12, in the latter hemi-
stich of either, it matters not which. — o'l — Ifii) So the LXX. — l-rri-
nem, fell on) Bj right Christ might have borne Himself as God,
and have enjoyed Divine honours, but He did not use His right,
for our sakeSjPhil. ii. 6. He indeed thoroughly felt the reproaches,
which wicked men cast upon God, with that sorrow, which they
ought to have felt, who gave utterance to them ; and He Him-
self bore and expiated those reproaches as patiently, as if He
Himself had been the guilty person. His whole sufferings are
here intended ; He at that time performed the office of a minister
[a servant], Matt. xx. 28. \_At that time, He did not please Him-
self, but He interposed Himself, in order that in respect to [in the
case of] all who had dishonoured GoD, GoD might receive what
was well-pleasing [" caperet beneplacitum." Or rather, that God
might by the atonement, be enabled to exercise goodr-will consist-
ently with justice]. It behoved Him to endure many things with
patience, ver. 1, 4. — ^V. g.]
4. T&p, for) This assigns the reason for the quotation just
made. — ■Trpoiypdpri) were written before the time of the New Tes-
tament ; as was that, which is quoted, ver. 3, as having been
written concerning Christ. — rifizTipav) our, or of us believers in
the New Testament, ch. iv. 24; 1 Cor. x. 11. — tm/iovrig, patience)
of which Christ afforded an exaxn-ple, not pleasing Himself . — xat)
a hendiadys [See Append.], the comfort [paraclesis] of the Scrip-
tures leads us to patience. A summary of the ends [the main
aim] of sacred Scripture. — •Tra.pa.x'kriSBug, comfort) which holds the
middle place between patience and hope ; ch. v. 4. There is
comfort \_paraclesis, consolation], when the soul re-echoes the
sentiment, thou art S6xi//,o5 [Comp. the Gr. James i. 3, 12] ap-
proved. 2 Cor. i. 6. — Tuv ypapSiv, of the Scriptures) It is in the
plural, and corresponds with whatsoever. [The Scriptures testify
of Christ, and teach us by His example, what we should do or
what we should leave undone. — V. g.] — rriv tX-iriba, the hope) The
article must not be overlooked, comp. on patience and hope,
ch. V. 4, on hope, ver. 12, 1 3. For from this mention ot patience
and comfort the fifth verse is deduced, and from the mentioning
of hope the thirteenth verse. — 'ix'^l^^h ^'^I/ have) The former part
ROMANS XV. 5-8. 183
of this verse treats of the use of the whole Scripture, the latter
principally of the use of the Saying quoted at ver, 3. Hence
comes the twofold prayer, ver. 5, 13, suitahle to the approaching
conclusion.
5. ®ihg Tiji Inroi/iovrii xal -ffapaxXrisniis, The God of patience and
consolation) So, the God of hope, ver. 13, the God of peace, ver.
33. Titles from the thing, which is treated of. Elsewhere, the
God of glory, the God of order, the God of the living, the God of
heaven. — rrn vapaxXriaias — rh aurh (ppouTv — xarii) So plainly, Phil,
ii. 1, 2.
6.^ ' O/ioSv/iaShv, with one mind) with one believing mind. —
gTof^an, with the mouth) confessing. — bo^aZrin, ye may glorify)
Ye Jews and Gentiles, ver. 7, 9. — rh @ih xal varipa roD Kuplou
rifi,m 'ineoZ XpiSTou, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ)
a frequent appellation, 2 Cor. i, 3, xi. 31 ; Eph. i. 3 ; Col. i. 3 ;
1 Pet. i. 3. It is to be resolved in this manner : The God of
our Lord, etc., Eph. i. 17, and the Father of our Lord, etc., in-
stead of what men of old said, God the^ Creator and the Lord of
heaven and earth, Ps. cxxiv. 8, and the God of Abraham and
Isaac and Jacob, thereby subscribing [signifying their assent] to
the faith of these believers. So elsewhere God and our Father,
Gral. i.4. Christ has a double relationship to God and the Father,
as compared with us ; we also have a double relationship, through
Christ, John xx. 17.
7. i/iSs, you^ ) who were formerly weak, Jews and Greeks
without distinction. — e/'s ho^av @iou, to the glory of God) It is con-
strued with received, comp. ver. 6, 8, 9.
8. Asyw di. Now I say) By this verse the preceding clause
concerning Christ is explained. — Xpierhv Irieouv.) Others say,
Iridouv Xpidrh.^ Those, who have omitted the name Jesus in this
passage, seem to have had respect to ver. 3 and 7. Thenomen-
^ To airo (p^ovuv, to think alike) Patience and comfort promote harmony.
He who disagrees with himself shows himself very morose to others. Har-
mony is founded in Christ Jesus, as full hope is subsequently founded in the
Holy Spirit, ver. 13. — V. g.
" ACD corrected later, G^ Vulg. read ifiAs- Kec. Text reads iifia; with
BD early corrected,/. — Ed.
3 ABC read XjwtoV only. But D(A)G/£r and both Syr. Versions and
Rec. Text ' Introvu 'X.^iarou. — Ed.
184 ROMANS XV. 9.
clature, Jesus Christ, and Christ Jesus, ought not to be con-
sidered as promiscuously used. Jesus is the name, Christ the
surname. The former was first made known to the Jews, the
latter to the Gentiles. Therefore he is called Jesus Christ ac-
cording to the natural and common order of the words ; but
when He is called Christ Jesus, by inverting the order of the
words, peculiar reference is made to the office of Christ, with
somewhat of a more solemn design. And this is especially suit-
able to the present passage. Sometimes in one place, both
arrangements of the words prevail, ver. 5, 6 ; Gal. ii. 16, note;
1 Tim. i. 15, 16, vi. 13, 14 ; 2 Tim. i. 9, 10. See also 1 Cor.
iii. 11 ; with which comp. 1 Tim. ii. 5. — biaxovov, a minister) a
suitable appellation ; comp. ver. 3 ; Matt. xx. 28. [Bemarkable
humiliation ! Here indeed there was need of patience, ver. 4, 5. —
V. g.J — ^Moreover, Jesus Christ became the minister of the
Father for the salvation of the circumcision. Christ was sub-
servient to the will of the Father : the Father devoted Him
for the salvation of many, whence the Genitive, of circumcision,
has the same meaning as in Gal. ii. 7, 8. Presently after, reign-
ing is ascribed to this minister, ver. 12. But this appellation
(minister) is not repeated in the next verse, for the calling of the
Gentiles coheres with His state of exaltation ; — it is accordingly
said there, that they might glorify, for greater thanksgiving is
rendered by the Gentiles,^ than by the circumcision. — vipiTo/Mric,
of the circumcision) that is, of Israel. — -irar'spuv, of the fathers)
The Genitive here contains the emphasis of the sentence, Matt.
XV. 26.
9. A;a — ihidi — -^aXSi) Ps. xviii. 50, LXX., Sia — %higi, Kxipii —
■^aXSi. — e^o/ioXoyrieofijai, I will confess) Paul says that the Gentiles
do that, which Christ declares in the Psalm, that He will do ; in
fact, Christ is doing this among [or rather, in the person of] the
Gentiles, Heb. ii. 12, where Paul quotes Ps. xxii., as here Ps.
xviii. is quoted. In Ps. xxii. Christ announces the name of the
Lord to His brethren ; in Ps. xviii. He confesses to the Lord
among [or in the person o/] the Gentiles, and the Gentiles con-
fess to Him in [the person of] Christ. Afterwards in Ps. cxvii.
' Naturally so : Because they have received grace extraordinarily, they
being but as the mid olive graffed in on the elect stock, Israel. — Ed.
ROMANS XV. 10-12. 185
the Jews invite all tribes and all nations ; nt6 signifies a multi-
tude, and QJ? a political community. — •v)/aXS, I will sing) The
Gentiles sing and praise, because they have obtained mercy,
Heb. motK, using the organ.
10. Asysi) viz., \iyoiv, — iu, in theLorS) Construed with beloved; tor greet ot
salute at ver. 6 and throughout the chapter is employed abso-
hitely [and it is not therefore to be connected with h Ku^/w].
9.'lifi,uv,ofus. Comp. ver. 21.^
10. Th doxi/jiov, approved) an incomparable epithet [ TAis man
was of tried excellence. — ^V. g.J — rous ex ruv) Perhaps Aristobulus
was dead, and Narcissus too, ver. 11, and aU in their respective
families had not been converted. Some of them seem not, to
have been known by face to Paul, but by the report of their
piety. Faith does not make men peevish, but affable. Not
even the dignity of the apostoUc office was any hindrance to
Paul.
11. ovraff, who are) Therefore a part of that family were
heathens.
12. Tas ■/.omiiea;, who laboured) although they have their
name [Tpu^aim, T^ upwtfa] from rpiKp^, a luxurious life ; as Naomi
(agreeable). It is probable that these two were sisters according
to the flesh.
13. 'ExXsxtJi', chosen) a remarkable title, 2 John, ver. 1, 13 ;
1 Tim. V. 21.
14. ' AguyxpiTov, x.r.X., Asyncritus, etc.) Paul joins those to-
gether, among whom there was a peculiar tie of relationship,
neighbourhood, etc. The salutation offered by name to the
more humble, who were perhaps not aware that they were so
much as known to the apostle, could not but greatly cheer their
hearts.
16. ' Ag'jragaek aXX^Xoug, salute ye one another) supply : in my
name. — Iv (piXfi/j^uTi aylu), with a holy hiss) This was the flower of
faith and love. The kiss of love, 1 Pet. v. 14. This was the
practice after prayers. Paul mentions the holy kiss at the con-
clusion of the first epistle to the Thessalonians, of both his
epistles to the Corinthians, and of this to the Eomans. Paul
wrote these epistles at the earliest period. Afterwards purity of
' A quotation from Juvenal Sat. xiii. 58 —
" Tam venerabile erat prsecedere quatuor annis." — Ed.
2 Where we find "my work-fellow:" but here "our helper," or M)or/>
fellow. — Ed.
195
love was in some cases extinct or abuses arose, for in writing to
the Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians, when he was in
prison, he gave no charge concerning this kiss. The difference
has regard to the time, not to the place, for the Philippians
were in Macedonia, as well as the Thessalonians. I do not say
however that the difference of time was altogether the only
reason, why the holy kiss was commanded or not commanded.
In the second Epistle to the Thessalonians there was no need to
give directions about it so soon after the first had been received.
The condition of the Galatians at that time rendered such
directions unsuitable. — al hxXr}ffiai^) the churches) with whom I
have been, ch. xv. 26. He had made known to them, that he
was writing to Eome.
17. 'AdeXfol, brethren) While he is embracing in his mind, in
ver. 16, the churches of Christ, exhortation suggests itself inci-
dentally ; for when it is concluded in the form of a parenthesis,
they, who send salutations, are added to those, who receive them :
ver, 21. — roug rSig) There were therefore such men at Rome.
The second epistle to the Thessalohians, which was written
before this to the Romans, may be compared, ch. ii. — rd? Si^oera-
elctg, divisions) by which [what is even] good is not well de-
fended. — TO gxdvhaXa, offences) by which [what is positively] evil
gains admittance. — l/iAhn, ye have learned) To have once for
all learned constitutes an obligation, 1 Cor. xv. 1 ; 2 Cor. xi. 4 ;
Gal. i. 9 ; Phil. iv. 9 ; 2 Tim. iii. 14. — UnXhaTi) comp. ar'eX-
Aee6ai, 2 Thess. iii. 6 ; -ffapairov, Tit. iii 10 ; comp. 1 Cor. v. 11 ;
2 John ver. 10. There was not yet the form of a church at
Rome. The admonition therefore is rather framed so as to
apply to individuals, than to the whole body of believers. There
is however a testimony regarding the future in this epistle to the
Romans, as the Song of Moses was a rule to be followed by
Israel.
18. 0/ nioZroi) such as these. The substance with its quality
is denoted. — xoiXlcf, the belly) Phil. iii. 19. — x^jjifroXo/zas) as
1 The Germ. Ver; has restored the reading of wAirai, although it was de-
clared on the margin of both Ed. as not quite so certain.— E. B.
DQfff omit dff'n-a^. ifi. ai ixx.%. nsivcti T. Xpiarov, but add these words at
the end of ver. 21. ABC Vulg. have all the words, including Ta(7«i,
which Rec. Text omits without any good aulhoritj'. — Ei>.
196 ROMANS XVI. 19, 20.
concerns themselves by promising. — siiXoylag) as concerns you,
by praising and flattering. — tuv axdxm) TlS, a word of a middle
signification, //^eaov, for the sake of euphemy (See Append.) ,
which the LXX. translate axaxog, and which occurs more than once
in Proverbs. They are called axaxo!, who are merely free from
badness, whereas they should also be strong in prudence, and
be on their guard against the xaxlav, the badness of others.
19 'Tvaxori, obedience) which belongs to o'l axdxoi, the simple.
Their obedience itself, not merely its report, reached all, since
by frequent intercourse believers from among the Romans came
also to other places, and their obedience itself was observed
face to face. It thus happens, that, as contagion is bad in the
case of bad men, so it is good among the good, in a good sense. —
irairas, all) you, or others also. — a. The first half of the verse proposes two
questions, of which the former is cleared up in the second half,
and the latter in the verse following (We have also a similar
figure in Isa. xxv. 6) : WJiere is the scribe ? where is the weigher
(or, receiver) ? where is the scribe with the towers ? where is the
weigher (or, receiver) with a strong people, on whom thou canst not
20'5 1 CORINTHIANS I. 21.
hear to look ? For the expression appears to be proverbial, which
the particle riN, with, usually accompanies, and in this mode of
speaking denotes universality, Deut. xxix. 18. That some charge
of the towers was in the hands of the scribes, may be gathered
from Ps. xlviii. 12, 13. The term, weighers (or receivers) is
readily appUcable to commanders of forces. Comp. Heinr.
Scharbau Parerg. Phil. Theol. P. iv. p. 109, who has collected
many facts with great erudition, and has famished us with the
handle for [the suggestion which originated] these reflections of
ours. Paul brings forward both the passages in Isaiah against
the Jews ; but the second has the words so changed, as to apply
more to recent times, and at the same time to the Gentiles, ver.
22. Some think that the three classes of learned men among
the Jews, b''B'"n D''"iaD n''03n, are intended. We certainly find the
first and second in Matt, xxiii. 34. There is moreover a three-
fold antithesis, and that too a very remarkable one, in Isa. xxxiii.
22, where the glorying of the saints in the Lord is represented.
But this is what the apostle means to say : The wise men of the' '
world not only do not approve and promote the Gospel, but they
oppose it, and that too in vain. — roD alZvog nurov) of this world,
which is quite beyond the sphere of the " preaching of the cross"
[6 Xoyog o rou gTavgov, ver. 18]. — ii^dipanv, made foolish) so that
the world cannot understand the ground of the Divine counsel
and good pleasure [su^oxjjtfEv], ver. 21. — njv cop/av, the wisdom)
The wisdom of this world [ver. 20], and in the wisdom of God
[ver. 21], are antithetic. — ■A.6(tiL0M^) of the world, in which are the
Jews and the Greeks.
21. 'Ev rji eocpicf,, in the wisdom) since ['because'] the wisdom
of God is so great, ver. 25. — om 'iyvu, knew not) Before the
preaching of the cross, although the creature proclaimed the
Creator, although the most eloquent prophets had come, still
the world knew not God. Those, who heard the prophets,
despised them ; those, who did not hear them, were of such a
spirit, that they would have despised them. — di& rrj; eoflag, by
' The margin of both editions defends ,the pronoun rovTov as the reading
in this verse, although it is omitted in the Germ. Ver. — E. B.
ABC corrected later, and D corr. later, Orig. 3, 175e, omit toutov. But
Ggf Vulg. Orig. 3, 318e ; Cypr. 324 : Hilary 811, 822, have toi^tow.
—Ed.
1 CORINTHIANS I. 22-24. 207
wisdom) viz., by the wisdom of preaching,^ as is evident from
the antithesis, by the foolishness of preaching. — Ahoxrieiv ©sJf) it
pleased God, in mercy and grace to us. Paul seems evidently
to have imitated the words of the Lord, Luke x. 21. — hid. tth
fj-uipiag, hy the foolishness) God deals with perverse man by con-
traries, so that man may deny himself, and render glory to
God, through belief in the cross. — xripuy/ia.roi, of preaching) inas-
much as it is concerning the cross,
22. ^ A/roDff;, require) from the apostles, as formerly from
Christ. — gofpinv, wisdom) [The Greeks require in] Christ the
sublinie philosopher, proceeding by demonstrative proofs.^
23. 'H|U.£/s, we) Paul, ApoUos. — xtipUgo/itv, we preach) rather
historically, than philosophically. — Xpidrhv seraMpu/ihov, Christ
crucified) without the article. The cross is not mentioned in
the following verse. The discourse begins with the cross of
Christ, ii. 2 ; those who thus receive it are made acquainted
with all connected with Christ and His glory, those who do
not receive it, fall short of the whole. Act xxv. 19, xvii. 32. —
exavSoiXov, a stumbling-block) As folly and wisdom, so a stumbling-
block and a sign are opposed to each other, for a sign is an at-
tractive work of Omnipotence, as a sign and power are often
synonymous, but a stumbling-bloch, properly applied to a snare
or trap, is a very weak thing. [So things extremely 'Worthless in
the present day come under the name of trifles. Germ. Schwach-
herten. — V.- g.] To such a degree do the Jews and Greeks ^
dread the cross of Christ, that along with it they reject even
a sign and wisdom.
24. AuToTg) to them, construe with, Jews, and Greeks. — xXnToTi,
' Not, "the world by its wisdom:" but, notwithstanding the preaching
of true wisdom 6y creation and hy prophets of Ood, the world knew not
God.—&D.
^ lyifciict, signs) powerful acts. "We do not find any sign given by Paul
at Corinth, Acts xviii. — V. g.
8 They are not satisfied because Christ, instead of giving philosophic and
demonstrative proofs, demands man's belief, on the ground oi His word, and
a reasonable amount of evidence. — ^Ed.
* The Germ. Ver. prefers the reading of Uuiai, equal, according to the
margin of both editions, to ""EM^mi, which is doubtless more passable with
German readers. — E. B.
ABC corrected later, D corr. 1. Gfg Vulg. Orig. Cypr. Hilary have
"hiixiv. Rec. Text, with Orig. 1, 331e, reads "ETvXijir/.— Ed.
208 1 CORINTHIANS I, 25-27.
who are called) Refer the calling, ver. 26, to this word. — X^/oriv,
Christ) with His cross, death, life, and kingdom. [The sur-
name Crucified is not added in this passage. When the offence of
the cross is overcome, the whole mystery of Christ is laid open. —
V. g.J — Sum/iiv — eoipiav, power — wisdom) Power is first expe-
rienced, then wisdom.
25. ToD 0£oO, of God) in Christ. — aofiuripov — isy^vforspov, wiser
— stronger) ver. 30. — rSiv avSpu-raiv, than men) The phraseology
is abbreviated ;^ it means, wiser than the wisdom of men,
stronger than the strength of men, although they may appear
to themselves both wise and powerful, and may wish to define
what it is to be wise and powerful.
26. EXsTsrs) ye see. For shows it to be the indicative mood.
— rfiv yXrieiv ufiSiv, your calling) the state, in which the heavenly
calling proves an offence to you ; so, calling, vii. 20. — ov voWol,
not many) Therefore, however, some supply, have been called.
As a comparison has been made with the preachers, so also with
the hearers of the Gospel. The ellipse contains a euphemism
[see Append.^] — zara edpxa, according to the flesK) a phrase
nearly related to the expression, of the world, which presently
after occurs in ver. 27. The world judges according to the
flesh. — ilyinTg, nolle) who are generally also wise and powerful.
\_Can it he believed, that this is the distinctive characteristic of the
society of those, who, in our vernacular tongue (German) are styled
Freymaurer, Freemasons. — V. g.J
27. To) The article has this force : those things in particular
and especially, which are foolish, etc. — s^iXi^an, hath chosen
[viz., in great numbersj) Acts xviii. 10 — V. g.] (" I have much
people in this city," i.e., Corinth). This word is put thrice ;
election [choosing'\ and calling, ver. 26, are joined in one ; Ez. xx.
5. The latter is a proof of the former. Electionis the judgment of
Divine grace exempting in Christ from the common destruction
of men, those who accept their calling by faith. Every one who
is called, is elected from the first moment of his faith ; and so
long as he continues in his calling and faith, he continues to be
elected; if at any time he loses calHng and faith, he ceases to be
' See App., under the title, Concisa Locutio.
' Soipo!, wise) Hence such a small number of men were gained at Athens,
which was the seat of Grecian wisdom. — V. g.
1 CORINTHIANS I. 28-30. 209
elected ; when he brings forth fruit in faith, he confirms that
calling and election in his own case : if he returns to faith, and
beheving falls asleep, he returns to his state of election, and as
one elected falls asleep. And these xar i^o^riv, pre-eminently,
are the men who are elected and foreknown. Election relates
either to peoples or individuals. The question here and in
Ez. XX. 5 : also Acts xviii. 10 ; 1 Thess. i. 4 : is concerning the
election of a people ; and this species of election in a greater de-
gree falls under the distinct perceptions of men that are believers,
than the election of individuals ; for some individuals of the people
may fall away, and yet the breadth of calling and election [i.e. the
calling viewed in its comprehension of the whole people as such]
may be equally preserved. The election of some outside of the
church is a Thing Reserved for God Himself, and must not be
tried by the rule of the preaching of, the Gospel.^ — roij eoipovg,
the wise) In the masculine to express a very beautiful idea -^ the
rest are neuter, as all standing in opposition to roDs eofois, yea
even foolish things. — xaraisx^vri, might put to shame [confound])
This word is twice repeated ; we have afterwards, might bring to
nought [ver. 28]. By both of these words glorying [ver. 29, 31]
is taken away, whether the subject of boasting be more or less
voluntary."
28. Tow/>/ff£v, ordained before)
The allusion is to hath prepared, ver. 9. — ■Ttph, before) therefore it
does not come to nought, ver. 6. This wisdom very far surpasses
^ See App. Where the same word or words are in the beginning of a
preceding member, and in the end of a following member ; thus marking a
parenthesis ; as here, from c. i. 23-25, to c. ii. 6.
" " The same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in mej"
in ifioi. So here, " we speak in the case o/the perfect." Ed.
1 CORINTHIANS II. 8-11. 213
worldly wisdom in antiquity. — alumv, the ages [of the world])
in the plural. The antithesis to it is, of this world, ver. 6. — il<;,
unto) that it may be our glory ; comp. the following verse, and
glorying, i. 31. — U^av) glory, from the Lord of glory; ver. 8,
afterwards to be revealed, at the time when the princes of the
world shall come to nought. It is an antithesis to, mystery.
8. "Hv, which) a reference to wisdom. — ohbilg rSiv afyiwai —
eyvcaxev, none of the princes — knew) none, almost none, nay, none
at all, as [c[u&] a prince. The antithesis to this predicate is in
the but ver. 9 ; to the subject, in the but ver. 10. — rbv Kvpiov,
the Lord) who surpasses all princes. — israipiagav) The cross, the
punishment of slaves. It was with this the Lord of glory was
slain.
9. 'axx&, but) viz. it has happened, comp. Rom. xv. 3, 21, and
1 Cor. i. 31. — xoi6ug, as) He shows that the princes of the world
knew not wisdom. — a op^aX/iJs) Isa. Ixiv. 4, in the Lxx., avi row
alSivog' otix ^xouda/Jifv, ouds ol 6(pSa,X/j,ol fj/jiuiv ilSov &ihv 'aXriv i) neither have ascended [entered], that is, have not come into
the mind. — rirol/j!,aeiv, prepared) Hebr, HB'y'', he will do ; what was
future in the time of Isaiah, had been actually accomplished in
the time of Paul. Hence the one was speaking to them that
were waiting for Him [Isa. Ixiv. 4], the other to men that love
[Him, who has appeared, 1 John iv. 19] : comp. things that are
freely given, ver. 12, by the grace of the New Testament, the
fruits of which are perfected in eternity. — [Kom. viii. 28 ; James
ii. 5.]
10. 'Hi/m) to us, apostles. — airixaKn-^t, hath revealed) an an-
tithesis to, hidden \wisdom, ver. 7]. Comp. Isa. xlv. 19, 15 ;
Ps. h. 8, and again Luke x. 21. — iravTa, all things) ver. 9. — ra.
j3ddn, the deep tfdngs) very much hidden, Ps. xcii. 6 ; not merely
those things, which believers search out, ver. 9 [10] and 12, in
both at the end. The deep things of God, even of His divine
nature, as well as of His kingdom.
11. Tig yAp o73sv Mpii^rav ra, n\j avSpiimu; For who among men
214 1 CORINTHIANS II. 12, 13.
hnoweth the things of a man ?) The Alexandrian MS. and it alone
omits 'AvSpuirm, and yet Artem. Part I. cap. 47 desires it to be
marked with a stroke as spurious.'- But this variety of cases,
viz. among, or of m^n, of man, of a man, is extremely appropriate
to the purpose of the apostle here ; for he notices the similarity
of nature, which appears to give men the mutual knowledge of
each other's feelings as men, and yet does not give it ; how much
less win any one know God without the Spirit of God ? — t&, toZ
a>Spv, re-
ward) something beyond salvation, ver. 14, 15. The faithful
steward will receive praise, the diligent workman a reward. —
jtoVoK, labour) not merely according to the work [done, but accord-
ing to each man's labour^.
9. @io\J, of God) This word is solemnly repeated immediately
after," and is emphatically put at the beginning thrice ; as in
1 "Ot»ii yap, for when) See how important a matter may be, which
seems to be of no consequence V. g.
' By the figure anaphora, i.e., the frequent repetition of words in the
218 1 CORINTHIANS in. 10-12.
ver. 10, grace; and in ver. 11, foundation. — aunpyol, labourers to-
gether with) We are God's labourers, and in turn labourers to-
gether with Him. — ytiipyiov, husbandry) This constitutes .the sum
of what goes before ; yidpyiov, a word of wide and comprehensive
meaning, comprising the field, the garden, and the vineyard. —
oixoda/ifi, building) This constitutes the sum of what follows.
10. Xdpiv, grace) By this word he takes anticipatory precau-
tion [vpoStpavelav], not to appear arrogantly to pronounce him-
self wise. — doSiTgav, given) it was therefore a something habitual
in Paul.^ — so(p)>g) [wise] skilful. The knowledge of Jesus Christ
makes men so. — h/iiXiot, foundation) The foundation is the first
beginning. — aXkog) another, whoever he is. He elegantly avoids
mentioning the proper name. The predecessor does not see his
successor, and Paul has regard to the dignity of ApoUos ; so
immediately after, every man; for there were also others, iv. 15.
— ^Xsv'iToi, let him see [take heed]) I, says Paul, have done my
part ; let them see to theirs, who follow me in this work. — ■b-^s)
how, how far wisely, how far in builder-like style.
11. V&p, for) The reason, why he says so deliberately, builds
thereon. — ovSiig, no man) not even Apollos. — hnai, lay) at
Corinth, and wherever Christ was made known. — 'lriii]. There are many, punish-
ments, which do not flow from sin by physical connection. —
ay/05, holy) divine, inviolable.
18. Aoxif) This word is frequently used, as well as Xoy/^o/ta/,
in the epistles to the Corinthians ; but doxu more in the first ;
the other, with a milder signification in the second. The mean-
ing here is, if any man be wise, and think that he is so. For
often, in this epistle especially, 8oxu has such a force as that the
fact of the thing itself is not denied, but there is denoted along
with the fact, the estimation, which the man, who has that thing
[that subject of his self-esteem], entertains concerning himself,
whether [that estimation] be just or inflated [exaggerated] vii.
40, viii. 2, X. 12, xi. 16, xiv. 37. — gotpig, wise) Hereby he entirely
cuts off all wisdom, whether of this world or divine. [It is
indeed wretched wisdom to deceive one^s own self. — V. g.] For
in whatever species of wisdom every man wishes to be distin-
guished, in the same kind of wisdom he ought first of all to deem
himself a fool, that he may become wise.
19. 'O Spaeao/ieyos roiig gofoug h rfj -Trat/ovpyia aOrwi') Eliphaz in
Job V. 13, in the LXX., says, o xaTaXa/i^dvuv go^oug iv r^ (ppovfjgn.
The apostles seem to have kept very much by the words of the
LXX. Interpreters in passages very well known to the Hellenists
[the Greek-speaking Jews], for example in the Parschijoth^ and
Haphtaroth, and likewise in the Psa:lms; but they have re-
course to the Hebrew, in passages less generally used, such as
this passage of Job. Paul has also in another place referred to
Job. See Phil. i. 19, note. — h, in) not only whilst they think
that they are acting wisely, but in such a way, that their very
wisdom is a snare to them.
''■ Parscliijoth, sections of the Pentateuch ; Haphtaroth, sections of the
Prophets, read publicly. — T.
1 CORINTHIANS HI. 20-23. 221
20. Sopwv, of the wise) lxx. have avSpuivuv, of men. The
word, thoughts, not in itself, but with this addition, of the wise,
corresponds to the Hebrew word niacTiD, Ps. xciv. 11, lxx. —
tlei, are) men, namely with their thoughts ; see Ps. now quoted
in the Hebrew.
21. 'Ek avSptifoig, in men) This appertains to [has the effect of]
extenuation.^ — o-avra, all things) not only all m^n. — v/i,Zv, yours)
Those things are yours ; not you theirs, i. 12 ; 2 Cor. iv. 5.
22. riaCXos, Paul) Paul, as if a stranger to himself, comes
forward in the third person and shows how it was the duty of
the Corinthians to speak of him, and he places himself, as if he
were lowest in rank,^ first in the enumeration. — KJjpas, Cephas)
They were wont to glory also in Peter, which also was wrong.
See note on i. 12. — xoV/ios, the world) He by a sudden bound
extends his remarks from Peter to the whole world, as if he
were in some degree impatient of enuiiierating all the other
things. Peter and every one else in the whole world, how dis-
tinguished soever he may be by his talents, gifts, or office
whether ecclesiastical or political, aU are yours ; they are instru-
mental in promoting your interests, even though unwittingly :
comp. respecting, the world, ver. 19, iv. 9, vi. 2, vii. 31 ; Rom.
iv. 13 ; Gal. iv. 3. — eJVi ^wij, e/Ve Savaro;, whether life or death)
and so therefore the living and the dead. Comp. Rom. xiv. 8 ;
Phil. i. 21. — hidTuTa, things present) on the earth. — /iiXMura,,
things to come) in heaven.
23. "T/ieTg di Xpisrov, and ye are Chrisis) Immediately; not
by the intervention of Peter. — X^/otoD — ©sou, of Christ — of God)
To this iv. 1 has respect. — Xpiarhg de, &iou, and Christ is God's)
XV. 28 ; Luke ix. 20.
' See App., under the tit. Litotes. Using a weaker expression, when a
strong one is meant. — T.
" In Greek and Latin, a person speaking of himself along with another,
puts himself first, in modern languages last. Christ says, more than once,
/ atid the Father : so here, Paul is first as being of least importance. — T.
g2a 1 CORINTHIANS IV. 1-3.
CHAPTEE IV.
1. Ourwff, so) is determinative, and resumes the subject from
what precedes. — Xoy/^Etf^w, account) without glorying, iii. 21. —
av6ptam;, a man) &^i<, any man, one like ourselves, iii. 21. —
\i'!rnpiras, ministers) Luke i. 2. — XpiSTou, of Christ) in His office
, [as the only Great Mediator] ; not [ministers] of were. — oixov6/io\is
fiuerriplaiv ©loD, stewards of the mysteries of God) Paul, where
he describes the mmisters of the Gospel in the humblest
language, still acknowledges them to be stewards : see Tit. i. 7,
note ; comp. of Christ, and, of God, with iii. 23. [Mysteries are
heavenly doctrines, of which men are ignorant without the revela-
tion of God. — V. g.]
2. "O di) Furthermore what God requires, and men too, in
their stewards, is, that a man be found faithful. Ver. 3 corre-
sponds to this paraphrase. ■ — t,riTi?Ta,i, is inquired after [is re-
quired]) by investigation, wnen the time comes. The correlative
is, may be found. — merhg, faithful) The Corinthians were not
content with that. — ivpiiri, mny be found) Every man in the
mean time wishes to be thought faithful.
3. 'E/io/) to me, for my part. — Se) but, although I be capable
of being found faithful. — th, unto) a particle of mitigation. I
do not despise your judgment in itself; but when I think of
the judgment of God, then yours comes almost to nothing. —
sXd;j/i(STov, a very little thing) The judgment of God alone should
be held of great account. — h after
yey^xTTrai, everywhere met with, but left as it were undecided by the
margin of both editions. — E. B.
ABD corrected later, Gfff Vulg. omit
ia/3wi', as if thou hadst
not received it) as if thou hast it from thyself.
* See App. The same word in the same context twice, but in a different
sense.
VOL. III. P
22G
8. "HStj, now), in comparison with us. The words without us,
which immediately after occur, agree with this. — xsxopsgfihoi,
full) A gradation [ascending climax] : full, rich, kings. Its
opposite is, we hunger, etc., ver. 11, 12. As the two epistles to
the Corinthians exhibit great variety in mental feeling [nki.
Append.], incomparable urbanity [asteismus, Append.], and
abimdant and playful acuteness, so the passage before us is to
such a degree remarkable for these qualities, that it should be
understood, in respect either of the Corinthians or of the
apostles, concerning their internal or external condition, con-
cerning the facts themselves or concerning the puffed-up opinion
of the Corinthians. The spiritual condition of the Corinthians
was truly flourishing — flourishing also was that of the apostles.
This was right : but troubles [the cross] from without galled
the apostles and prevented them from pleasing themselves on
that account : the Corinthians, inasmuch as being in a flourish-
ing state even in things external, were pleased with and were
applauding themselves, which was wrong. Therefore, the Co-
rinthians were imitating the conduct of sons, who, after they
have become illustrious, care little for their humble parents : in
consequence of fiilness, they were fastidious ; of opulence, they
were insolent ; of kingly power, they were proud. — xw^/s tulSiv,
without us) A new and apt ambiguity ; you have not us as your
partners ; consequently you have not had us as your assistants ;
you have forgotten us, as the saying expresses it, " many pupils
become superior to their teachers," roXKo) i/.a6nT0i.i xpelrTovii
Sidatxd'kav. — IjSaeiXsvgaTi, ye have reigned) ye have come to your
kingdom. In this is implied the majesty of Christians. — xa;
opEXo'i/ ys, and I wish) i.e. I do not envy you, my only desire is,
that it may really promote your best interests, 2 Cor. xii. 14,
15. — ha, xal ii/ieTg, that we also) When you shall be perfected,
the apostles will enjoy ease, and reach the end of all their
troubles. — eu/i^agi'Ksdectifiiv, we might reign together) This is
modestly said : with you; comp. ix. 23, iii. 22.
9. Aoxw, / think) A feeling of humility ; a gentle mimesis.^
The Corinthians thought [or, seemed to themselves, SoxiT, c. iii.
1 See Appendix. A delicate allusion to the words of another whom we
wish to set right : as the apostle's SoxS here refers to the Corinthians'
Zoxtt, chap. iii. 18. — Ed.
1 CORINTHIANS IV. 10-12. 227
18] that they excelled. — roCj amgrSXoug, saxarou;, the apostles,
last) ig^arog, the most worthless, ver. 10, 11. The antithetical
words are put down in one and the same passage. The
prophets also were afflicted, but the apostles much more ; and
the prophets were able to destroy their enemies, for example
Elias [and so greatly were they esteemed among men, that even
the Nobles considered themselves bound to reverence them, and to
follow or send for them with every mark of honour, 2 Kings i.
10, V. 9, viii. 9, 12. — ^V. g.], but it was the lot of the apostles to
suffer and endure to the end. — a-jriSei^ev) In Latin, munus osten-
dere, munus declarare, are the idiomatic expressions applied to the
public shows among the Romans. — imSavaTioug) ^pogSoxu/ievoug
aToSanTv, expecting to be put to death. See Hesychius. — rffl
x6g/j,iji, to the world) which is immediately after divided into
angels and men, without the repetition of the article. — xa>
ayyiXoig xal avSpii'jroig, to angels and men) i.e. those that are good ;
but rather, those that are bad.
10. Mciipol, fools) i. 21. — 8ia Xpigrhv — h XpigTu), for Christ's
sake — dn Christ) These words must be repeated in the two fol-
lowing clauses. Without any violation of the truth, different
things may be predicated of one subject ; or of different sub-
jects, who are regarded as standing on the same footing ; for
example, of Paul and the Corinthians ; according to the different
point of view in which they are regarded, and which the words,
for the sake of, and, in, here express ; for the sake of is applied
to slaves ; in, to partners. — 'iv8o^oi) men in the highest estima-
tion ; but arifioi, applies to persons, who are deprived of even
ordinary esteem. — riinTg bt, but we) Here the first person takes
the second place, and so it goes on in the following verse.
11. Tv/ivrjTelio/j,sv, we are naked) The highest degree of poverty,
2 Cor. xi. 27. [So far were the heralds of the kingdom of
Christ from being adorned with any splendour. We imagine
ourselves to be quite the reverse of all this. — V. g.J — xoXaf)il^6//,s6a,
we are buffeted) as slaves, therefore we are not kings.
12. Ko«w/Asv, we labour) as if compelled by necessity. Few
of the Corinthians did so. — iuXo'yoiJ/ji,iv — aiiyoiLi^a, — fapaxaXaufLiv,
we bless — we endure — we entreat) i.e. we do not return re-
proaches, persecution, evil speaking, but we only bless ; nothing
else is lawful ; the world thinks that despicable.
228 1 CORINTHIANS IV. 13-15.
13. XiipixaSapiiara, crsf/'vj/jj/ia) both words are used for filth, by
which not only men utterly outcast, but those devoted as an ex-
piation for others, are denoted. "laSj -rtipixd^ap/ji^a Sixalou, &vo//,o;,
the wicked shall be a ransom for the upright, Prov. xxi. 18. rh
dpyupiov nrspi-i^i^fLa roD -TraiSlov rj/iuv yhoiro, let money be as refuse m
respect of our child, Tob. v. (18) 26 : add Jer. xxii. 28, where
nraj avv has been translated by some •Tnpi-^rtiia, paOXov, vile off-
scourings, Hesychius : ■jrspl'^rj/ia, •7rspixaTd/j,ay^a, avrlXvrpa, am-
•^\i-)(a,, rj CtJ tu 'iyyri -iravruv. Tspi'^rj/ji.a in Eustathius is, gmyyie/j^d
Ti, something wiped away with a sponge, and therefore more
subtle [smaller and less perceptible] than XD/ia ; the latter word,
XD/ia, is a less forcible term than xd^apiha, the meaning of which
the nnpl strengthens. Wherefore Paul calls himself and the
apostles iripiy,a6apiJ,ara rou xoeiio\i—-ripi-^r\it.a, the offscouring not
only of a persecuting world, but of all men pEngl. Vers. " of all
things"^, although they do not persecute us ; the world hates us ;
all men despise us. — laii apn, until now) an epanalepsis [a repe-
tition of the same words in the beginning of a preceding member
and in the end of the following member of a sentence. See
Append.], comp. ver. 11, at the beginning.
14. Oiix hrpiirm, not making ashamed) An exquisite epithe-
rapeia.' The dissimilarity between themselves and Paul, be-
tween the sons and the father, might have made the Corinthians
ashamed. This 'EnrgoTij, putting them to shame, in the mind of
the apostle, was not an end, but a means, as he says also on
another occasion, that he was unwilling to make them sad,
though he had actually done so. The apostle often introduces
a certain degree of refined pleasantry, without forgetting the
apostolic gravity, for example, 2 Cor. xii. 13, note. — vou6itSi, I
warn) you as a father, Eph. vi. 4.
15. Tiaiiaytayoxjg, instructors) however evangelical they are,
being in Christ, not legal instructors. The antithetical terms
respectively are, 'planting,' and 'watering;' "laying the founda-
tion," and " building upon it :" ' begetting' and ' instructing.' —
eu mXXoiis, not many) In like manner every regenerate man has
not many fathers. Paul does not say, one Father; for that ap-
' See App. An after addition to words, which might give offence, and a
kind of softening of what went before by a declaration of friendly feeling
towards the persons addressed.
1 CORINTHIANS IV. 16-18. 229
plies to God alone ; not mani/, is however suiEciently explained
by the following word, /. Not only ApoUos, his successor, is ex-
cluded, hut also his companions Silas and Timotheus, Acts xviii.
5. Spiritual fatherhood has in it a peculiar tie of relationship
and affection connected witli it, above every other kind of pro-
pinquity. — ill yap XpiSTui 'irjgou, for in Christ Jesus) This is more
express than the phrase above, in Christ, where he is speaking of
other instructors.
16. TlapaxaXu, I exhort) A short exhortation after a long and
true account of his own example is valuable. — /i//Aj)ra/ ^ou,
imitators of me) as sons. Having laid aside pride, cultivate that
feeling even without the cross, which is fostered in us by means
of the cross. He proposes the imitation of himself to those, with
whom he had been, Gal. iv. 12 ; Phil. iii. 17.
17. Ti/ji,6hov, Timx)theus) xvi. 10. — rixvov /jlou, my son) and
therefore imitator. Paul calls Timothy his brother; see 2
Cor. i. 1, note ; but in this passage the affection of the father
is uppermost in his thought. — ayairrirhv, beloved) to whom
I have willingly committed the business. — ■xigrhv, faithful) to
whom I could safely commit the business. — umiivfien, will re-
mind you) He does not say will teach. The Corinthians had
knowledge; they had need of admonition. — rag iBoug /j,o\jf my
ways) in which I walked whilst with you. — xa6ij<;, even as) as
didxoiiog, a minister. — IxxX^jff/qc, in the church) emphatically in the
singular number.
18. "Xls, as though) Because I send Timothy, they think, that
I will not come. This is the meaning of the particle di, but. —
£(pu(fi(a6rieav rmg, some were puffed up) Paul wrote this under
Divine illumination, laying bare and clearly showing their
thoughts, which would rise in their minds at the very time, when
they were reading these words. They were puffed up about
various things ; see next verse, and ch. v. 2. He says, I will
restrain such persons, when I come. Perhaps also the apostle
might have learned about this puffed up spirit of the Corinthians
from the members of the house of Chloe (i. 11). But the
Corinthians seem to have been puffed up about the delay of the
coming of Paul, not until after he had sent Timothy, his second
self, with this very epistle. Then indeed these puffed up
thoughts suddenly arose in their minds ; Paul himself, then,
230 1 CORINTHIANS IV. 19-21. V. 1.
will not come. A puffed up spirit was the frequent fault pre-
valent among the Corinthians.
19. 'EXiueoficii,IwiUcome) Paul writes to the churches every-
where about his coming to them, and thus keeps them in the
discharge of their duty. — l^v 6 Kvpiog hxfisf}, if the Lord will) He
wisely adds this condition. Afterwards some things occurred to
prevent his immediately going to them. — yvueo/n^ai, will take cog-
nizance) A word used in courts of law. Here, and at ver. 21,
the man, who was such an outcast abroad in the world, shows
his paternal authority, see ver. 9, 10. — ou rhv Xoyov, not the speech)
big, but empty.
20. Ou yap, for not) An axiom. — h d\jvd//,ii, in power) The
absence of the article gives force to the meaning, as in Eph. iv.
21. [ Weigh thoroughly that in which the power of thy Christianity
C07isists. — V.g.j
21. T; SeXiTB,- what will yef) Choose. [Comp. 2 Cor. xiii. 3.
So this phrase, what wilt thou ? is still of importance both as to
the principal point, and as to its various accessory cases ; see that
you make room (that you choose rather to leave scope) for Love.
— V.g.] — h pd^du), with a rod) wielded by a father's hand. Comp.
Isa. xi. 4. — Jj, or) Paul would prefer the latter.
CHAPTEE V.
'1. 'OXus, absolutely Pllngl. Vers., commonhf^ Paul has no-
where else used this particle, but it is found thrice in this epistle
(here, and in vi. 7, and xv. 29), as well fitted to express his
thoughts, and ia these and in all other places, the particle, i'Xws,
omnino, is either put in a negative sentence, or it by imphcation
contradicts a negative sentence : So Chrys. Honiil. 5, c. Anom.,
Nevertheless, although man differs little from an angel, liriihri"OA.D,'S,
iari ri iLigov, since nevertheless there is some difference between them,
we do not accurately know, what angels are : so in this passage, no
fornication, oXoii, at all should be reported among you ; never-
theless it is, oKoic, absolutely reported. The same principle applies
to the particle, ?-)]v d(yj\v, absolutely. — h lij^tv, concerning you [Engl.
1 CORINTHIANS V. 2, 3. 231
Vers, among]) in yoiir name [case], — rropvila, xal roiahrn vopvila,
fornication and such fornication) An important repetition ; by
which the Corinthians might be more affected. — ovde, not even)
It was a crime not named even among the Gentiles, with the
exception of a few monsters ; uare is the Protherapeia^ of the fol-
lowing clause. The apostle shows, that such infamous conduct
was held in abhorrence even by the Gentiles. — yvmTxcx,, wife) She
was no doubt a heathen ; therefore he does not direct his rebuke
against her, ver. 12, 13. The father, we may suppose, was dead.
— 'ix^iv, should have) by a single act, or by habitual intercourse,
ver. 2, 3.
2. Ka,l uf/^iTg, and ye) He presses their sin home to them. —
mipugicti/j.hoi, puffed up) [as if you were free from blame in the
matter. — Y.g-] — The force of the word is evident from its anti-
thesis, to mourn.^lers, ye are) hitherto. — Iviv^fjaan, you have
mourned) Paul himself wrote these words mourning, nay weep-
ing ; 2 Cor. ii. 4 ; we should mourn over the transgressions of
others ; 2 Cor. xii. 21, and repent of our own ; and we should do
both as regards the first and original sin. — ha,, thai) you have
felt no grief, which might stir you up, that, etc. — &p6ri, he might
be taken away) Paul has already in his mind what he is about to
write at ver. 13. — a'/puv is a milder word here, than l^aipuv after-
wards.^
3. 'Eyii f/,h yA,p, I indeed for my part) An antithesis between
the lighter punishment, which would have been inflicted by tlie
Corinthians, and the severer one, which is threatened by Paul :
thence also we have in ver. 2, «;^ffaj, he that Iiath done, a gentler
expression; but in ver. 3 xocTspyaed/j^voti, he that hath perpetrated,
a much more severe expression. Afterwards the Corinthians
did what they ought, 2 Cor. ii. 6. Therefore the severer punish-
ment pronounced on the sinner (here in ver. 5) admitted of
being superseded. Thence arose the joy of Paul, 2 Cor. i. 24,
ii. 1, etc. — T(fi TTVED^ar;, in spirit) Col. ii. 5, 2 Kings v. 26. —
riSri xexpma, I have already Judged) A weighty effect is produced
by the sense of the sentence continuing to be gravely suspended
and poised [as it were a lance], till we come to ver. 5, where
' See App. Anticipatory mitigation of what follows.
' To £ jyoK, the daring deed) It was a wicked action, without marriage
~V.g.
262 1 CORINTHIANS V. 4-7.
the expression, he who hath perpetrated \%a.ripyaeaij.im\ is again
taken up in the expression, such a one [rJv ro/oDrov]. — iig -irapiiv,
as though I were present) It is construed with, to deliver, ver. 5. —
rhv ovToi rovTo) A triple demonstrative. — oil™, so) very shamefully,
so, while he was called a brother.
4. 'Ell rffl ov6/ji,aTi, in the name) It is construed with, to deliver. —
rov J/toD miij/iarog, and my spirit) ver. 3. — eiv rri dvvdfj,si, with the
power) The spirit and power are almost synonymous. Paul,
speaking of himself, uses the word, spirit; of Christ, power,
2 Cor. xiii. 3 ; Matt, xxviii. 20, xviii. 20. A Hypotyposis,^
i.e. so that the power of the Lord may immediately exert itself.
5. TlapaSaumi, to deliver) This was the prerogative of the
apostle, not of the Corinthians ; comp. 2 Cor. xiii. 10, note,
and 1 Tim. i. 20, note. This is a specimen of the highest
degree of punishment in the Christian republic, adapted to those
early times. — 'iXeSpov, destruction) death although not sudden.
The Hebrew word ma corresponds to it : comp. ch. xi, 30. —
Tris gapxhs, of the flesh) with which he had sinned. [1 Pet. iv. 6 ;
comp. as to the Spirit, Rom. viii. 10. — V. g.]
6. Ou xctXov, not good) The not, is directed against the careless
indifference of the Corinthians. — ri ;cai;^>i^a, glorying) This
m itself is something good and becoming, xv. 31 ;, but wherever
it is not anxiously watched, it is at fault, and comes very near
to a puffing up of the spirit, ver. 2. — fi^mpa — ^u/io?) an Iambic
verse of six feet [Senarius], Gal. v. 9. — ^u^jj, leaven) even one
sin and one sinner. — ipupix//.a, lump) the assembly of Christians. —
^v/j,o?; leavens) with guilt and its example creeping on to a very
wide extent. [A las ! for how long a period of time, and in how
great a degree, must the Christian world, if we except those por-
tions of it which are renewed, he a lump, or collection of filth most
thoroughly leavened! — V. g.]
7. Tfiv 'gakaiciv, the old) leaven of heathenism and natural
corruption. — ha rjre viov
Td isri. What is written withoi;it express limitation, should
not be always taken absolutely, if there should follow from it
any imsuitable consequence. In the present day there is room
for this paraphrase ; " otherwise you must needs go out of a land
inhabited by Christians." They are therefore especially to be
avoided, who among Christians wish to be considered virtuous
above others, and yet are fornicators, etc. — opf/Xsrs) you must
needs. For thus all intercourse as citizens would be done away
with : That, which is evangelical perfection to monks, is absurd
(aronrov, out of place) and unsuitable in the eyes of Paul. —
Kog/jbox), of the world) which abounds in profligate men.
11. 'AdiXiphg, a brother) an ordinary appellation. — ho/ia^6/jbsvog,
who is called) A word in the middle voice [or rather, used in a
middle sense, neither a favourable nor unfavourable sense]. —
mpvog, a fornicator) the crimes are here enmnerated, on account
of which others are to be avoided ; then in vi. 9, 10, more are
added, on account of which every man should fear for himself." —
/j,ridi evvefShiv, not so much as to eat) not only not with such a man
as a host, but not even with him at the house of a third per-
son. The lowest degre^ of intercourse, which men have, when
mixed up in company with one another, is to eat together. Even
among the Jews, Din, excommunication took away all inter-
course in regard to eating together. We must not eat with the
man, who shall be unfit to eat along mth the saints in the king-
dom of God, vi. 10. Let the Church of the present day take
heed, in which the guests at the Lord's table are not like chil-
^ So ACD(A)Q- Vulg. both Syr. and Memph. Versions. But B (judging
from silence) favours Rec. Text's reading, o(p£i'X£T« — Ed.
^ MeSvms, a drunkard) It indicates the man who drinks large quantities
of wine, although he does not break out into unbridled revellings V. g.
1 CORINTHIANS V. 12, 13. 235
dren in one family, but like a number of strangers of various
kinds in a large inn.
12. T/ yaf fim xctl roig e^w xpiveiv ; ou^l rovg 'ieu iifiiTg xphtTt ;)
Artemonius, p. 212, refers to the conjecture of Le Clerc, and
after changing a few words presents it in this form : r! ydg (loi
xat ToTg 'i^co ; xut vuv oui/ roug Ida i/j,iTg xphire. There are here
various changes of letters, by which the word xplvsiv, the most
necessary of them all, is cancelled. If the meaning of Paul
had been, what have I to do with those that are without ? the
Greek idiom would have required sfioi, not /^oi. T/ ydp /ioi xal
Tovg i^ai xphiiv, viz. ler! ; for what have I to do to judge those that
are without ? (Verbals [such as Bengel's " externos judicatio"'\
govern the case of the verb, ex. gr, : Curatio hano rem, tak-
ing charge of this matter.) Expressions very similar occur,
hari /loi X,m, Gen. xxvii. 46 : ou ffo/, 'O^/a, 6u/ji,iagai, 2 Chron.
xxvi. 18 : ovx sSti y&p ^aipiiv, Keysi 'Kupiog, roTg adi^sKiv, Is. xlviii.
22 : oVais f/^fi yivrita,! alirSi ^povorpi^tigai, Acts XX. 16 : -^rohv aoi
TuvTo, iid'imi, Hippolytus de antichristo, chap. 32. These remarks
apply to the whole sentence ; we shall now consider the words
one by one. — xai) also, which intimates, that those, who are
within, give me enough to do.-"^ — xpimv, to judge) He judges,
who is not mixed up with them, does not keep company with them. —
ou;^/, do not ye ?) From what is wont to occur in the Church,
you ought to have interpreted my admonition, alluded to in
ver. 9, You judge your fellow-citizens, not strangers ; how
much more should I ? You judge, will thus signify righteous
judgment. But this may also be a previous [anticipatory], and,
that too, a seasonable sting to the Corinthians, who were judging
[bringing before heathen courts of justice] them that were within,
while [though] they considered the saints removed [exempt]
from judgments concerning things pertaining to this life, vi.
1, 2, 3.
13. Toig Si i^a, them that are without) The Ivnowledge con-
cerning the destruction or salvation of the Gentiles is a matter
reserved for God alone. — xpneT, shall judge) Kom. ii. 16. Supply,
1 This very particle xKi,also, however, is considered of less importance in the
2d, than in the 1st Ed., and it is entirely omitted in the Germ. Vers.— E. B.
ABCG Vulg. Memph. ;(Jf (ante-Hieron. Lat.) Versions omit x«J. D and
later Syr. retain x«i. — Ed.
236 1 CORINTHIANS V. 13.-VI. 1, 2.
and this judgment we in all humility leave to ,God. Thus tte
and, that follows, more closely coheres with this clause. — %a,l,
and) an Epiphonema' suited to both parts of this chapter. The
particle xa/ with the whole sentence is quoted here, from the
LXX., Deut. xvii. 7, xix. 19, xxiv. 7, xa/, and so. But the
phrase, as it is written, is not prefixed here, and this is the case
either for the sake of severity [c. iv. 21], or because s^ap'errs,
Heb. myai, is used by Moses for taking away a wicked man
from among the people by capital punishment, by the apostle
for taking away a wicked man from the Church by excommuni-
cation. — Thv 'TTovtipov, the wicked person) ver. 2, 9. — u/iwv auruv,
from a/mong yourselves) So it is found in the LXX. often. The
antithesis in this passage is, those that are without.
CHAPTER VI.
1. ToXfiL^, dare) Treason against Christians is denoted, by this
high-sounding word. — rig, any one) even one single person. —
KpiviiSai) in the middle voice, that is xpi//,a 'ix^iv, obtain a judg-
ment, go to law, V. 7. — adlxoiv, before the unjust) Every unbeliever
is unjust ; generally so, even as a citizen. — ivl tuv aylm, before
the saints) Christians, The great privilege of believers was to
settle even civil matters among themselves, and the magistrate
ought not to interfere at all with private affairs, unless in the
case of those who especially apply to him. The heathen magis-
trates were very indulgent to the Jews ; and in this department
no difference was hitherto made between the Jews and the
Christians.
2. Oux o'l'dan, do you not know ?) This phrase is used with
great force six times in this single chapter. The Corinthians
knew, and rejoiced that they knew ; but they were acting con-
trary to their knowledge. — oi aywi, the saints) being themselves
first judged. — rov Kosiiov, the world) all those who are not saints.
The antithesis is to, the smallest matters ; comp. iii. 22. — xfmijei,
* An exclamation after a weighty demonstration or narration. Append.
1 COKINTHIANS VI. 3-5. 237
they shall judge) The future, comp. ver. 3; Rev. xx. 4. The
present, is judged, is interposed ; comp. John xv. 8. The saints
took possession of the civil authority also under Constantine the
Great, which is the prelude of things to come. [Scripture from
time to time casts a ray of light on the most important affairs, as
it were in passing. The proud despise such things; hut the humble
keep them laid up in their heart, with a truly sober mind. The
majesty of the saints is hidden, hut it will be revealed at its proper
time. — Y. g.] — iv, in^) Comp. Acts xvii. 31. — avd^ioi sen, are ye
unworthy) The figure Communicatio.''
3. 'AyysXous, angels) Those who are not holy [referring to
saints'], and so also wicked men. The article is not added ; a
gradation in respect of the world [i.e. an ascending chmax,
arguing a fortiori; if angels, much more the world]. — ^iianxa.,
things belonging to life) worthless if they be compared with
angels.
4. Toug s^ouSivri/j,svovs h rjj IxxXni^icf) those who are even least
esteemed in the church, any persons whatever rather than the
heathen. Every one, even the least, is capable of taking on
him the decision of even the greatest interests in external affairs
[and therefore is able to come to a decision, not indeed according
to the ancient laws of the heathens, but on the true principles of
equity. — V. g.] — Comp. i. 28, xi. 22, and therefore za^/^srs, set
ye, is the imperative. [It was not, however, to be thought of to give
way at all in tliat mutter to the jurisdiction of heathen judges. —
V. g.j
5. Tlpbg IvrpoTriv, to your shame) The puffed up spirit [ch. v. 2]
of the Corinthians is hereby checked : Comp. xv. 34. — soph;, a
wise man) They admired wisdom on other occasions, and wisdom
produces the ability for judging between brethren in deciding
causes. — ohhl elg, not even one) Even the least among believers is
a wiser and more desirable judge than an ungodly man. — ^ufjj-
esrai) the future; shall he able if he be applied to. — SiaxpTvai) to de-
termine between parties. It differs from xpTvai, to judge. — aSiK,(,
without) a man indeed sins with the body and by the body, but
not lig against the body ; the sin is not terminated in his body ;
and he certainly injm'es, but does not alienate the body, he
rather sins against the xoiXlav, belly, than against the body, as
the apostle makes the distinction. Such moral sentiments are
not to be harshly pushed to extremes, nor in their utmost axpl-
piicf, strictness. The viscera, which stand in a peculiar relation
to the animal economy, seem likely to be destroyed permanently,
and not to be restored at the resurrection. The Scripture refers
much to the bones, as to the solid parts, in respect of good and
evil, of punishment and reward ; whence it is no vam conjecture,
that the most intense pain, and so also the most intense degree
of joy and pleasure, will be in the bones.
' See Appendix.
1 CORINTHIAJSrS VI. 19, 20.-Vir. 1. 343
19. "h) a particle denoting the second part of a disjunctive
interrogation. The expression, his own, ver. 18, is in this ver.
sweetly limited. Our body is so constituted, as that it may be
the temple of God, i.e. His pecuHar and perpetual habitation. —
rou Ev bfj^Tv, which is in you) This expression assigns the reason
[aetiology. — See Append.]. The Holy Spirit is in you ; there-
fore you are His temple, — oS) whom, the Spirit. — xa/ ovx kre
iauruv, and ye are not your own) This appropriately foUows, but
yet it is connected more closely with, ye are bought, and in its
construction, it also depends on on, because.
20. 'HyopagSriTi, ye are boiight) You are entirely in the power
of another. To sell is used for to alienate ; to buy for to claim
for one's self, and here too with propriety ; for the mention of a
price is added. — r;/i^5, with a price) This word has thus much
greater force, than if an epithet were added. So also vii.
23. — do^dauTs, glorify) An Epiphonema [an exclamation sub-
joined to a weighty argument. — Appen.] They are in error, who
think that God should b6 only internally, or only externally
worshipped. — h rp eu/ian v/iZvj'- in your body) Rom. xii. i. ; Phil.
i. 20.
CHAPTER VII.
1. nipi di uv lypd'^aTi, Now concerningthe things whereof ye wrote)
He sets before us his subject at the first with elegance, rather
generally than particularly. The apostles in their epistles often
treat of marriage ; the apostle Paul alone, once and not of his
own accord, but when he was asked, advises cehbacy, and that
1 The words which follow to the end of this clause, are declared by the
margin of both Ed. as a reading not genuine ; wherefore, also, in the German
Vers., they are only within a parenthesis. Not. Crit. on this passage agrees
to it : vi/,Z)ii, iTipl) a sure reading ; the question here is about the use and
abuse of the body. — E. B.
Eec. Text adds xul in r^ vusvfitiri v/a,ud ctrisa. wtIu roi Qiov. Both Syr,
Vers, alone of the oldest authorities support this reading. But ABC cor-
rected later, D corr. lat., G Vulg. /^ Iren. Cypr. Lucif. Memph. omit the
words. — Ed.
2H 1 CORINTHIANS VU. 2-4.
too very gently. {So far is this from being a subject, which ought
to be obtruded upon mankind by human precepts. — ^V.g.j — -/.akh,
good) This agrees with the feeling, which pervades the preceding
chapter. Comp. below ver. 7, 8, 26, 34, in the middle of the
verse, 35 at the end, 40. It is good, i.e. becoming, suitable, for
the sake of liberty and exemption from what is due [by a husband
to his wife], ver. 3, and for the sake of keeping one's ' power,'
which he has over himself undiminished, ver. 4 ; though on the
other hand touching, ver. 1, has always modesty as its accompani-
ment among them that are chaste. — avSpu'Tnii, for a man) in
general, although he be not a Christian, ver. 7, 26. — y\>mi-/.oc, a
woman) and in like manner for the woman not to be touched.
In what follows, the one relation involves the other.
2. A/tz, on account of) comp. the /or, ver. 5. — rag -Ttopnlag, for-
nications) constantly practised at Corinth \and not even considered
to be sins by the heathens, and especially by the Greeks. — V.g.], to
which unmarried persons might be easily allured. The plural
denotes irregular lusts, and is on that accoilnt more opposed to
the unity of the marriage relation [wherein there is but one con-
sort]. — riiv kaurou, his own) the Same as "Siov, her own, which, im-
mediately after occurs. The same variation occurs m Eph. v.
22, 23. lavTou, his own, indicates the rights of the husband.
Both words exclude all community, in which polygamy consists,
comp. ver. 4. Now the reason, why a man should have a wife,
is the same as that, for which he should retain her, namely, to
avoid fornication. Hence also concubinage is refuted, for a con-
cubine is either a wife or she is not ; if she is not, there is sin, if
she is, then she ought to continue, ver. 10, 11.
3. '0(pii'kriv, what is due [due benevolence, Engl. Vers.]) This is
explained in the next verse. Gataker shows, that the same duty
was called by the Greeks %ap/i', by the poets yi;XoV»jra. The read-
ing of this passage, due benevolence, oipeiXofiivriv I'Jmav, is a spurious
paraphrase.^ [ofitiXfiv is the native (genuine) and simple reading.
— Not. crit.j
4. 'iSiou, of her own) This word with the phrase, she has not
power, makes an elegant paradox. The rights of both are equal.
' 'OipsiMn is the reading of ABCDGr Vulg. fp Memph. Orig. Cypr.
' O!psi>,ofihrip eiiioi'xii of Rec. Text is the reading of both the Syriac Versions,
but of none other of the oldest authorities. — Ed.
1 COKINTHIANS VII. 5-8. 215
5. M^ airodrifirri, defraud not) So the LXX., Exod. xxi. 10, he
shall not defraud her of her duty of marriage, njn o/jt,iXiav alrrn
(nnJV) oux amiTspfieu. This word agrees with the word due, ver.
3. — £/' /if! Ti av, except it he) It is very much limited. When these
conditions occur, it is not privation, but abstinence. — ha s-^oXd-
f^riTi, that you may be at leisure) The apostle speaks here of great
leisure, (r%o>.)5i', and ease. Previous abstinence is subservient to
prayer. [Those who fasted among the Greeks added here fasting. —
Not. crit.']. Abstinence may also have other motives originating
it [besides the object of prayer], and those of a bad kind. — xat
TuXiv, and again) Concerning such intervals, and their measure,
see Selden on the Hebrew wife. — Jt/ ri aurh, together) This does
not mean the very act of connubial intercourse, but is opposed
to the previous separation. — ■Triipdt,'!, should tempt) to fornication,
etc., ver. 2. — i SarauSs, Satan) who amid the exercises of the sub-
limer virtues seeks an opportunity of doing the greatest injury.
Temptation cannot be easily presupposed without Satan. —
dxpasiav, incontinency) ver. 9.
6. TouTo, this) what has been mentioned aU along from ver.
2. — xara eu'yyvu/J,'r)v ou xar smrayriv) See ver. 25, note.
7. &iXcS) I would for my part, ver. 32. Paul had tasted the
sweetness of celibacy, and was desirous that others should have
the same pleasure in it. The expression, / would, may be also
taken absolutely for it is to be wished, comp. vi. 12, note : as he
says on other occasions, oux ?iv kXriiLa, there was no wish. — ydf)
for, used in its strict sense. The reference is to ver. 6. — ws xal
s/i,auTov, as even myself) unmarried. The Corinthians seem to
have looked to the example of Paul, ver. 8. — yAfieii^a, gift) That,
which in the natural man is a natural habit, becomes in the
saints a gift. The gift here is the entire habit [habitual bear-
ing] of the mind and body in the Christian, in so far, for ex-
ample, as marriage or cehbacy is more suitable to him, along
with the actions consonant to each state, being in accordance
with the commandments of God. But in the case of godly men
in an involuntary condition, the assistance of grace is more sure.
8. Asyw Se, but I say) Comp. ver. 12, where the statement is
^ Rec. Text inserts before rji 7rpoirev)c^ the words rjj pritiTeict xxl with both
Syr. Versions. But ABCD(A)a fg Vulg. Orig. Cypr. omit the words.
—Ed.
246 1 CORINTHIANS VII. 9-16.
more express. — roTg ayai^oig, to the unmarried) of both sexes,
comp. ver. 10, 11. — %^^a/j, to widows) including widowers. —
fiiijcagiv, let them remain) at liberty. — iic x^yu, even as T) Paul
was evidently without a wife at that time, comp. ix. 5 ; and
although he speaks here also of widowers, yet he seems rather
to have been a bachelor, than a widower ; comp. Acts vii. 58,
and what foUows after
9. KpiTigov, better) This comparative does not nullify the posi-
tive in ver. 38. — v •jrvpoveSai, than to be inflamed) A very strong
word. A man, who maintains continence, may have that, with
which he has to struggle, although he may not be inflamed.
Thomas Aquinas on this passage says, to be inflamed [to bumj,
that is to be overcome by concupiscence ; for concupiscence is a
certain noxious heat. He, then, who is assailed by it, becomes
warm indeed, but he does not burn, unless, overcome by concupis-
cence, he loses the dew of God^s grace. This burning thrusts men
at last into hell-fire.
10.^ HapayyiXkdi, ovu lyoi, I command, yet not I) a similar
zeugma to, I live, yet not I, Gal. ii. 20. The force of the word,
/ command, is affirmatively connected with the Lord. — o Kvpiog,
the Lord) Christ, who had given instructions on this subject.
Matt. V. 32, xix. 4, 5 ; or even spoke to Paul respecting this
matter ; comp. ver. 12. — /x,fi yupiein^ai, not to be separated) The
less noble party, the wife is separated ; the more noble, the hus-
band, puts away ; then in a converse point of view the believing
wife also is said to put away, and the unbelieving husband to be
separated, ver. 13, 15.
11. 'eAi-, if) This word also at the end of this verse is to be
understood of the husband. — xal ■)(upialir\, she even be separated
\be put away : not ' depart^ as if of herself, Engl. Vers.]) con-
trary to the commandment.
12. To?"; it Xoimii) but to the rest, who are living in marriage.
— syu, I) see ver. 25, note. — x'eyu, I say) he does not use the
expression, T command, as in ver. 10. I say, viz. this, which is
spoken of, ver. 12, 13, 15, 16, and mostly indeed at ver. 15,
16 ; for if ver. 12-14, be considered separately, they flow from
1 To
Sapvd^as, x.t.X., " or I ONLY [instead of fiovof] and Barnabas." —
ha fj ayla, that she may he holy) She thus pleases the Lord, if
she be holy, being wholly devoted to him. Holiness herd im-
plies something more than at ver. 14.
35. Auruv, your own. — Qf!>yj>i, a snare) A snare, the fear of
committing sin, where there is no sin, or even forced service.
Men are unwillingly drawn into a snare, Prov. vii. 21, LXX.
That is readily considered as a snare, which is most conducive
to profit \_e\j[Lipii>ov\. — ixigyrnfiov) an antithesis to aS'^fTifi.oviiv, in the
following verse. — suvdpedpov) akin to this is the verb vpoeedpiviiv,
in ix. 13. An example is found in Luke x. 39. — ra Kvpiw, to
the Lord) tvvapi&pov, as well as 'jrapiSpivu, governs the dative. —
a,'7npie'!ra,aroic) This explains the word iWdpeipov, for assiduous
attendance upon .the Lord, and distraction, are the reverse of
each other. Sitting [involved in. the tWdpiipov] assists the devout
mind. Comp. Luke x. 39, 40. Paul says something similar of
the widow, 1 Tim. v. 5.
36. T;j, any man) a parent. — aay^riiionTv) viz. iaurh. — rrtv
TapS'ivov avrou) a virgin, his daughter. — vo/j,il^£i, thinks) Antithesis
to, I think (suppose), ver. 26. — Eau ^ InripuKiLoi) if she pass, dxfiriv,
the flower, of her age without marriage, as it were despised by
suitors. — hcptiXii, it so ought to he [need so require, Engl. V.l
[because he cannot see how better to consult the advantage of his
daughter. — V. g.], having no necessity, in the following verse is
the antithesis. — oux a,/j,apTdvii, he sinneth not) The matter is
sweetly expressed by short clauses.
37. 'E(rr>iH£n, he who standeth stedfast) There is in this passage
1 CORINTHIANS VII. 38-40. 235
an admirable synonymy [accumulation of synonymous clauses]
and description of liberty. — i/^n lyoiv avdyxriv, having no necessity)
on account of wliich he should prefer celibacy to marriage,
ver. 26, or marriage to cehbacy. — l^ouglav^ control \_power],
without any interference. — tx^i, has) for having : for not and but
are in mutual relation to each other. There is the same enal-
lage in Col. i. 6, note. — '^ripl, over) For often the will is one
thing, and the power an altogether different thing. — Idwu, his
own) Liberty is elegantly denoted. [Those who have now a
regard to the Divine will, are often led to think, that they have
been appointed to obtain only by one way, the things which cor-
respond to the Divine will. Nevertheless, God grants to man full
liberty regarding what is agreeable to His law, Deut. xxxvi. 6.^ —
V. g.] — x'sxpiHiv) has so judged [decreed, has come to this as his
decided opinion]. — xaXws to/e/J doeth welt) he not only does not
sin ; he acts very well (xaXSig).
38. "nsTs, therefore) We must observe, with how great
earnestness, fidelity, and fulness, Paul dwells on this passage.—
xal) also.
39. 'Ek Kvpl(i}, in the Lord) So that Christ is here also all
things. Christians and unbeUeVers mixed in society and dwelt
together. He therefore commands Christian men to marry
Christian women.
40. Maxapiurepa, happier) ver. 1, 28, 34, 35 ; Luke xxiii. 29. —
Soxa, I think) The Corinthians thought more of themselves than
was right, and less of Paul. Paul with delicate pleasantry,
aSTiiuc, gives them back their own expression. — xayii) I also, no
less certainly, than any of you [who may think he has the
Spirit]. — xiveu/itt, &10V, the Spirit of God) whose counsels are
spiritual, divine.
* Eather Numb, xxxvi. 6. Let them marry to whom they think best, — ^Ed.
256 1 CORINTHIANS VHI. 1-S.
CHAPTEK VIII.
1. Ilepl — o'lhafjitv, as touching — we know) This topic is taken
up again at ver. 4, when the parenthesis, which follows, has
been concluded. — or;) that. This explains the " we know." —
ymdiy, knowledge) The article is not added, ■^) that he may not
concede too much. — 'i-)(pfj,i)ij we Jiave) He speaks in the first
person of himself and others, more estabhshed in the faith ;
when speaking more generally, he uses the third, ver. 7. Thus
we easUy reconcile the all [ver. 1] and not in all [ver. T\, —
jj yvudic, knowledge) without love. [Although the fundamental
doctrines and those most necessary and difficult are spoken of.
V. g.] — (puaioT, puffeth up) when a man pleases himself; comp.
thinks, ver. 2. — ij bi aya.'irri, but love) the right use of knowledge,
love, towards God, ver. 3, and towards our neighbour. — oixo8o/iiT,
edi/ieth) when a man pleases his neighbour. Knowledge only
says, all things are lawful for me ; love adds, but all things do
not edify.
2. 'Eid'evai, that he knows) This has respect to the " we know,"
ver. 1; it differs irom to be acquainted with.^ — W, anything,
Paul makes some small concession here ; comp. the following
clause. — ouva, not yet) like a novice. — xaSiig, as [in the way
that]) namely in the way of love, [taught] by God.
3. Tov &ibv, God) The love of our neighbour follows the love
of God. — ouroi, this same) who loves. — lyvugTai) is known. Active
follows passive knowledge, xiii. 12. In this expression we have
an admirable metalepsis' — ^he was known, and therefore he hath
1 Therefore, also, in the Germ. Vers., the article ought to be wanting in
this passage. — E. B.
" The Latin synonyms are scire and cognoscere. Scire, to know, to be
skilful in, chiefly applied to things ; cognoscere, to know, to become acquamted
with persons or things formerly unknown ; however, iyuaxhcti is the reading
of ABD (A) G/(cognovisse). EUhxi of Rec. Text is supported by Vulg.
(scire) Cypr. Hil. — Ed.
^ See Append. A twofold trope, or figurative use of the same word or
phrase.
1 CORINTHIANS Till. 4-7. 257
known, Gal. iv. 9, note. The knowledge is mutual. — iw' auroD)
by Him.
4. B^wffsws) He more closely limits the subject proposed at
ver. 1 : as concerning, therefore, the eating, etc. — oh&ii) nothing, is
the predicate ; nothing, the force of which is augmented by the
antithetic words, in the world, Wn, 1 Sam. xii. 21, LXX., ouSei/ ;
comp. ch. X. 19, note. \_A piece of wood or stone and nothing
besides. — V. g.]
5. Asyo/j^svoi, that are called) God is said to be the supremely
powerful One. Hence by homonymy [things or persons distinct
in nature receiving by analogy the same name], angels who are
powerful on account of their spiritual nature, and men who are
powerful from being placed in authority, are called gods. —
h ovpavSi, in heaven) — M yrjg, on earth) The provinces of the
gods among the Gentiles were divided into heaven, and earth,
along with the sea; but each of these belongs to God. — Sio! ■yoXXo/
xa,! xupioi mKkoi, gods many and lords many) Ps. cxxxvi. 2, 3.
6. 'H/i/i') to us, believers. — i^ o5 r& itawa, of whom are all
things) Therefore, we have one God. — to. irawa,, all things) by
creation. — itiJ^sTi, we) behevers. — iig avrh, unto Him) He is the
end for whom believers live. — -ao,! iTg, and one) Christ, the object
of divine and religious worship. The apostles also, for the
purpose of avoiding the appearance of polytheism, more fre-
quently called Christ Lord, than God, when they wrote to the
Gentile churches. — Kupwg, Lord) This appellation comprehends
in itself the notion of the Son of God, and therefore also of
God, along with the idea of Redeemer. — di o5, by whom) The
dominion of Christ is hereby proved ; by Him all things are of
God. — 8i avrou, by Him) We come by Him, iig, to the Father.
The plan of this sentence is as follows : —
Of whom are all things) , ^- ^ to Him,
•' ^ f by creation :f , ., ,.
>• , >■ by restitution.
by whom are all things ) J by Him,
7. AXX') "We have ymm, knowledge ; but others have it not in
the same degree. ngg, some) an antithesis to all, ver. 1. Some,
viz. the Jews, holding the idol in abomination; the Greeks
regarding it with reverence, x. 32. — roij ubiiXou, of the idol)
VOL. III. K
258 1 CORINTHIANS VIII. 9, 10.
They had this feeling,' as if the idol were something ; or at
least as if the thing offered to the idol were polluted thereby; —
E&js apri, until this hour) when by this time they should have
knowledge. — ws) as : on this depends the distinction. — //.oXwitm,
is defiled) a suitable expression, by a metaphor derived from
flesh. — ^pSifia, food) used indefinitely, ver. 13. — hf^ag, us) hav-
ing or not having knowledge. — ou 'xapidTriei) neither as regards
pleasing Him in the judgment, nor as regards displeasing Him,
fphg rh hanpiTsSai [so as to be accounted the worse for it] ; t^
Tig ixxpiSig rj/i^ag oii •jrapa.BrritSu vphg TifLuipiav? So ver. 10, oixo&o/j,ri-
S^girai is used as a word in a middle sense. This is the founda-
tion of lawful power \liberty, ver. 9], s^ousiag ; comp. dl in the
next verse. — ours — •7ripiaeiuo//,iv din — ugTipoLfLiSa, neither are we the
better : nor — are we the worse) because in both cases thanksgiv-
ing is retained, Rom. xiv. 6.
9. 'H l^oueia, lawful power [liberty]) a word frequently
used for power and liberty in this discussion, ix. 1, 4, etc. :
comp. vi. 12. — u/iuv, of yours) which you so eagerly uphold,
ver. 11.
10. E/'^wXs/y) A word fitted to deter. It is found in 1 Mace.
i. (47), 50, X. 83 ; 3 Esdr. ii. 10. — oixoSo/iri6riixyl;, for the
seal) From the Church of believers an argument may be de-
rived for the truth of the Gospel, and of the Christian reli-
gion. — affoffT-oX^ff, of apostleship) A person even, who was not an
apostle, might bring men by means of the Gospel to the faith,
as Philip, Epaphras, and others ; but Paul calls the Corinthians
the seal not of catling of whatsoever kind, but i of his apostolic
calling : because he had the signs of an apostle, 2 Cor. xii. 12 ;
Kom. XV. 18, 19 ; nor did the Corinthians merely receive faith,
but also a singular abundance of gifts, 1 Cor. i. 7.
3. 'h) This is an anaphora with"^ ^ e(ppayig, ver. 2 — amXoyla,
a defence [or answerj) The Roman Pontiff, in his desire to be
irresponsible, avwiudwog, assumes more to himself. — roTg s/zi avax-
plvovsiv, to those who debate my case [examine me]) who have any
doubt of my apostleship.
^4. Ml) oiix 'ix"/^^" ; have we not ?) He comes from the singular
to the plural, including his colleagues [in the apostleship]. —
(payiTv xai miTv, to eat and to drink) without labouring with his
hands.
5. 'ASsX(pri\i yuvaTxa, a sister, a wife) Expressed in the nomi-
native case this is the proposition implied, this sister is my wife ;
wherefore the name, sister, does not prevent marriage. — m-epid-
yiiv, to lead about) an abbreviated expression^ for to have and
to lead about ; for he had no wife. Expense was laid upon the
Churches, not from having, but from leading about a wife. —
wj, as well as) this word also refers to ver. 4. — o'l Xoimt, the
others) The article shows that all the others had done so. We
* See Append. The frequent repetition of the same word in the begin-
nings of sections.
^ Au'th eutJ, is this) namelj, that you are the seal of my office. V,g.
* See Appendix, " locutio concisa."
1 CORINTHIANS IX. 6-10. 261
may presume the same of John. — xal o'l &S$X8>igu, F might
gain) This word agrees with the consideration of a reward.
20. 'ils 'lov&aTog, as a Jew) m regard to those things which
' See Appendix. The pointed combination of contraries. " Oratuitousl^,
yet I have a reward." — Ei>.
^ i.e. He would regard his using his power as if it were an abiise. — Ed.
^ Fut. snbj. is an obsolete form seldom found, but legitimate. Indeed,
the subjunctive itself is an old future. — See Donaldson's New Cratylus.
—Ed.
264 1 CORINTHIANS IX. 21-2*.
are not defined by the law; for as under the law follows, although
even those, who observed the laws of Noah, might have been
called men occupying a place midway between the Jews under
the law and men without the law. — iig vm vo/iov) fifi d'n airJ? two
to/iov is subjoined in the oldest copies.-^ It was an omission easily
made in others from the recurrence of the word v6f/,ov. — roii)
The article seems to be put here not so much for the sake of
emphasis as of necessity, as M under follows.
21. 'Av6/j,ovi) This is here used in that sense, which the meaning
of the primitive word precisely produces, as avvroraxrov, Heb. ii.
8. — ii; avo/ios, as without law), by omitting things that may be
omitted in regard to things ceremonial. — firi wv avo^os, who am not
without the law) Paul was not (anomus) without the laic, much
less was he (antinomus) opposed to the law. — /a^ avo/ioj, ©sffl, aXX'
'inoiiog Xpiera) Xpidrog, Qiou Igri, iii. 23 : whence, he who is with-
out the law to God, avo/tos ©£», is also without the law to Christ,
amjjioi XpisrSi : he who is under the law to Christ, 'iwo/Ms Xpieru,
is under the law to God, mo/iog ©sC. Concerning the law of
Christ, comp. Gal. vi. 2, note. "Ewo/ios has a milder meaning
than u'jrh v6//.ov.
22. Toils asSiviis, the weak) The article is not added to 'lovdalouc,
nor to &v6/Mvg. It is added to aakviTg, because he is chiefly
speaking of them, viii. 7 : and all these are easily gained, if
they be rightly treated. — yiyova, I am become) When the verb is
thus put [in the Perf. middle, a tense almost present in meaning],
the transition is easily made from the past iyevofiriv to the present
TOIU),
23. "Iva evyxoivnivhg avTou yhiafia^ The SDv and yhofiycci show
great modesty. Those things which follow, are referred to this
verse, as to the proposition [the theme to be handled]. — auToiJ,
of it) of the Gospel and salvation ; comp. the words, I might
save, ver. 22.
24. Oux o'i'&arf, know ye not ?) The comparison is to a thing
' And, therefore, both in the margin of the 2d Ed. it is elevated from the
mark y to the mark ft and in the Germ. Vers, it is inserted in the context.
— E. B.
These words, fii — uofcou, are read in ABCD (A) G- fff Vulg. Theb. But
Rec. Text omits the words with Memph. Syr. and Orig. 1,391 c ; 3,51fi /,
4,166 d.—Eo
1 COKINTHIANS IX. 25. 265
very well known to the Corinthians. — ^eTs, one) Although we
knew, that one alone would be saved, still it would be well worth,
our while to run. [For what will become of tJiose, who never
cease to defend themselves by the inactivity of others, Comp.
X. 5.-^— V. g.] — o'uTia rps^iTif 'ha xaraXa/Sjjrs, so run that ye may
obtain) Paul speaks of himself to the end of the chapter ; he
does not yet exhort the Corinthians directly ; therefore he seems
here to introduce into his discourse by a third party ^ that sort of
encoiiragement, which P. Faber, i. 2, Agonist, c. 32, shows that
the judges of the combats, the instructors of the young in gym-
nastics and the spectators were accustomed to give ; — also Chry-
sostom Hom. on the expression iav irnv^ ; and Caesarius, quaest.
29; for the words, he says, they say,^ are more than once omitted.
See ch. v. 13, xv. 32, 33 ; Eph. vi. 2 ; Col. ii. 21 ; Ps. cxxxvii.
3 ; Jer. ii. 25, li. 9. "Therefore this is the sense here ; they say,
so run, etc. ; and this clause belongs to the protasis, which is con-
tinued at the beginning of the following verse, oUrw, so, a particle
expressive of praise as well as of exhortation, Phil. iv. 1. —
7fii-)(STi, run) All are urged, as if each, not merely one, was to
obtain the prize. — ha, that) to the end that.
25. nSs, every man) There were many sorts of contests. —
3s, but) an emphatic addition (J-jrlratii). The race was among
those contests that were of a lighter description; wrestling,
to which allusion is presently made, is among those that were
more severe. — irdvTa, all things) supply -/.ara, as to, throughout. —
lyyipandirai, is temperate) Those, who were to strive for the
mastery, were distinguished by their admirable mode of hving.
See the same Faber, and the same Chrysostom de Sacerd., 1. 4,
c. 2, at the end. — IxiT^ai) they, who run and wrestle. Christians
had abandoned the public games. — ipSaprhv, corruptible) formed
^ ■jriiires, all) Comp. X. 1. — V. g.
'^ See Appendix, under the title Sermocinatio. " So run that ye may
obtain" is not Paul's direct exhortation to the Corinthians, but the language
of the spectators of the games, etc., to the racers, quoted by Paul as apply-
ing to himself. Comp. v. 26. Obliquely reference was meant to the
Corinthians Ed.
8 Beng. means that Paul's omitting, in the allusion or quotation, " As the
saying is," does not militate against its being a quotation. For he elsewhere
omits thip express marking of quotations. — Ed.
263
of the wild olive, of the apple tree, of parsley and of the fir tree.
Not only the crown, but the remembrance of it perishes.
26. ''Eydi) /for my part. — oDrws) so, as I said, ver. 23 : comp.
ouTca, so, ver. 24.— ou;e abrfkag, not uncertainly, I know what I
aim at, and how to aim at it. He who runs with a clear aim looks
straight forward to the goal, and makes it his only object, he
casts away every encumbrance, and is indiffereint to what the
standers bye say, and sometimes even a fall serves only to rouse
him the more. — ituxreLai, I fighi) Paul adds the pugUistic contest
to the race, in preference to the other kinds of contest. — ug om
aipa dspciiv, not as one beating the air) In the Sciamachia [sparring
in the school for mere practice] which preceded the serious con-
test, they were accustomed to beat the air; comp. [ye shall
speak to] the air, xiv. 9.
27. ' TTumd^cii) Eustathius says, Iviima, pair/ ras 'jtbpI roue
ofSaXfiovs 'TrKrtyde' l§ wi/ ix fispoug xaipioirarov, xat to vvuiridZ^iiv,
xal eufiaroi; u'Traiiriai/Lo; fi,era(popixSig, 6 xarot, ewrri^iv?' He at the
same time shows, that -Kpoexoyjiiia, appHes to the foot, as ii'?ru>mov
to the head ; therefore compare '?rp6isxo/jb//,a and rlivTovTig with
iinroivdZfii, viii. 9, 12. — rh u, in the wilderness) farfirom the land of
promise.
6. TaSra, these) benefits, which the people received, and the
sins which they at the same time committed. — rumi, examples)
by which we may be instructed, from which we may learn, what
punishments, we must expect, if, receiving such benefits, we
should sin in a similar manner. — ilg to //-ri, that not) The benefits
are put down in th6 order, in which they are arranged by Moses,
in the difierent chapters of Exodus ; the offences, with their
punishments, in a different order. The fondamental principle,
from which the offences proceed, is concupiscence : afterwards,
the mention of idolatry most of all serves his purpose, ver. 7, 4 :
fornication was usually joined with idolatry, ver. 8 : temptation
with murmuring ; see the following verses. Those offences are
chiefly mentioned, which relate to the admonition of the Corin-
thians. — imSifitiTds) The LXX. have this verbal noun. — xaxZv,
after evil things) Eom. xiv. 20. — i-!ri6v/j,tiaa,v, lusted) Numb. xi. 4.
7. Vinek, be ye) In this ver., and ver. 10, the matter is set
before them in the second person; for Paul was beyond the
danger of idolatry, nay, he was even the object of their murmur-
ing ; the other things are put in the first person — both be-
comingly so. So 1 Pet. iv. 1, 3, in the second person. — r/vjs
ahrm, some of them) We should mark some ; where some begin,
270 1 CORINTHIANS X. 8, 9.
the majority of the multitude easily follow, rushing^ both into
sin and to punishment. — sxdSieiv, x-r.X.) So the LXX., Exod, xxxii.
6. — fiaysni xal van, to eat and drink) This quotation is much to
the purpose; comp. ver. 21. — ■jral^nv, to play) A joyful festival
is here indicated (celebrated with lascivious dancing around the
calf. — V. g.), and at the same time the vanity of the festival on
account of the idol is implied.
8. 'Empveiisav, committed fornication) Num. xxv. 1. — s'lxoffi rpiTg
•)(ikiu.hi<;, twenty-three thousand) They are said to have been twenty-
four thousand, Num. xxv. 9. A stroke from God swept them
away ; but besides, the princes [" the heads of the people," Num.
xxv. 4] were hanged, and the judges were commanded to put to
death their men, over whom they presided, who had been joined
to Baal-peor. Moses as well as Paul gives the number of them,
whom the plague itself of that day destroyed. Why then does
Paul subtract, a thousand ? The precise number of the dead, we
may suppose, was between the round numbers, 23,000, and 24,000,
say 23,600, and had been known by tradition. We do not fol-
low the subtUties of other interpreters.
9. m>)3e Ixci-E/pa^a^si') The compound verb, as in Matt. iv. 7.
The simple verb follows immediately after. — rJv Xpiisrov, Christ)
Paul mentions five benefits, ver. 1-4, of which the fourth and
fifth were closely connected ; and five crimes, of which the fourth
and fifth were in like manner closely connected. In speaking of
the fifth benefit, he expressly mentions Christ ; and in speaking
of the fourth crime, he shows that it was committed against
Christ. \_See App., P. II., on this passage, wliere the reading
Xp/arbv is defended against Artemonius, Not. Crit.^]. — sTeipaaav,
tempted) Num. xxi. 5. Christ is therefore God. Comp. Ex. xvii. 2.
Often those things which are declared concerning the Lord in
Old Testament, are spoken of Christ in New Testament, Eom.
xiv. 10, 11 ; and that temptation, by which the people sinned,
was an offence pecuHarly against Christ, Ex. xxiii. 20, xxxii.
34 ; Is. Ixiii. 9 ; for when they had drunk from that Rock,
1 Lachm. reads Kvpiov -witli BC, and some MSS. of Memph. Vers. But
Tischend., Tvith 'D(A)Qfff Vulg., both Syr. Versions, Memph., Theb., and
Marcion, according to Epiphanius (o Si Ma^xiav di/rl toS Ki^ioi) Xj/otok
iToimif'), Iren. 264, XfrnTo'i/. This last is the better attested reading
therefore. A has &£oV.— Ed.
1 CORINTHIANS X. 10, 11. 271
wMcli was Clirist, ver. 4, tney yet complained for want of
water, Num. xxi. 5. Therefore they were also preserved from
the fiery serpents, by raising a serpent on a pole, a type of Christ.
As Abraham " saw Christ's day" [John viii. 56], as Moses
embraced "the reproach of Christ" [Heb. xi. 26], so the Israel-
ites tempted Christ : and yet the Corinthians could more directly
tempt Christ.
10. MjjSs yoyyLZiri, do not murmur) comp. ver. 22. Moses
and Aaron were the secondary objects of murmuring in the
Old Testament. — lyoyyvem, murmured) Num. xvi. 41. With
Moses, murmuring preceded the temptation ; but Paul places
murmuring after the temptation in the last place, as being most
like to that sin, into which the Corinthians were liable to fall.
He who is weaker [than the Lord], ought not to murmur;
comp. ver. 22 ; Ex. xvi. 8, 10, at the end of the ver. — a's-wAovro,
perished) ibid. ver. 49. — iXoSpivrou, destroyer) Comp. Wisd. xviii.
22,25; Heb.xi. 28, note.
11. ndvra, all things) He resumes what he said, ver. 6, and
in this recapitulation adds, all things, which stands in apposition
with ensamples. — ^rvTeoi) ensamples. — exehois, to them) construed
with happened. — lypan •xieri,
lest he fall) ver. 8, 5.
13. 'neif>a(!f/,bs, temptation) It is mere human temptation, such
as may be overcome by a man, when the man has to do either
with himself, or with others like himself; to this is opposed the
temptation of demons ; comp. ver. 20, 14. Paul had greater
experience ; the Corinthians were inexperienced, and therefore
more free from concern. — oix s7Xri o'j QsOj, They sacrificed to
devils and not to God ; comp. Baruch iv. 7.
21. Oil S{jva,ek) ye cannot, without very great sin. — Kuplou, of
the Lord) Christ. — rpa'Tri^ris Kupiov, of the Lord^s table) The
Lord's Supper is a feast, not a sacrifice ; on a table, not on an
altar.
22. XlapaZrfkoviJ.ty) do we jprovohe to jealousy ? namely, by
idolatry, ver. 7 ; Ex. xx. 5. The kindred word is nis^n, aySva
'nap'f^in, to cause one a conflict, to weary out. Is. vii. 13. So
Deut. xxxu. 21, — airol 'jrapst^fiXaiedv fie W ou ieSi, they have moved
me to jealousy with that which is no god. — le^uporepoi, stronger) so
that we may flee from His jealousy when kindled? [The
' By inverting the order, the margin of both editions intimates, that
illaTLoSvroi/ is to be placed first, and that Ei'SaXoi/ should be second in the
order ; but the Germ. Ver. follows the reading of the text E. B.
BC corrected later, D Vulg., d Memph., Theb. "Versions, have the order
tilaiXiiurou — ei'laM'. A omits jj ori eJSaXo'i/ rt hriu Ed.
1 CORINTHIANS X. 23-30. 275
weaker party is provoked without danger ; but it is different in the
stronger. — V. g.]
23. 2ij/ji,fiipii, expedient) ver. 33. The power, by which all
things sf soT/v, are lawful, is given by God : BUfj,(pspov, expedi-
ency, is a thing affecting myself: oixodo/j,fi, edification, relates to
another.
25. ^ MnSh amxplmTis, asking no questions) whether it has been
offered to an idol or not. Curiosity is often more injurious, than
simplicity. — 8ia r%v cwiihriaiv, for the sake of the conscience) of
another, ver. 29, whose benefit is consulted by keeping silence,
lest he should be disturbed.
26. ToS Kupiov, of the Lord) not of idols. Ps. xxiv. 1, rod
Kuphu ^ yr] xa! rh -irXripiaz/jo, abrrii — The earth is the Lord!s and
the fulness thereof. Ps. 1. (xlix.) 12, Ifij^ yap IdTiv ^ oixoviJ,ivri
xa! rb irXripaiiJia, uuttj; — The world is mine and its fulness. —
vXripco/j^a, fulness) including all kinds of meats.
27. QiXiTi 'TtopiuiffSai, you wish to go) Paul does not much ap-
prove of this, nor does he forbid it.
28. Th f/jrivvdavTot, xai r^v duveldrisiv, for the sake of him^ that
showed it, and for conscience sake) a Hendiadys. /ijjiiiw denotes
serious information given of a thing.
29. Tn\i sauTou, thy own) comp. the preceding verse; or rather,
because he is there speaking in the plural, my own ; comp. this
with what immediately foUows. — kripo-j, of another) of whom,
ver. 28. — fi sXiuhpla fio\i, my liberty) i.e. [Why am] 1, along
with the liberty of my conscience [judged] ; so immediately after,
by the conscience of another, i.e. by another along with his con-
science which is encumbered with scruples. — xpUirai, is judged)
i.e., his weak conscience cannot deprive my conscience of its
liberty. — aXXr}g, another) This word has greater force, than if it
had been said, of another \_judged by another conscience ; not
as Engl. V. another man's conscience^-
30. 'E/w, I) This expression has reference to his legitimate
power [See ver. 23]. — t! l3Xae^-/i//,oiJ/jiai, why am I evil spoken of)
by him, who does not use his Hberty, i.e. no man can reprove me
(but ^Kaeva dumb, a proper epithet;
comp. ver. 3, you when blind vfent to the dumb; you dumb [unable
to speak as you ought, by the Spirit of God, ver. 3], to the blind.
3. A/0, toherefore) He infers this thesis, that spiritual things
ftre with all Christians, and with [in the possession of] them
1 COKINTHIANS XII. 4. 293
alone, i.e. with those who glorify Jesus ; and that by means of
those spiritual things faith in Jesus is proved ; for idols bestow
nothing spintual : when the superstition of thci Gentiles was
overthrown, there was not the same need of miraculous gifts.
This is the alternative, he who glorifies Jesus, has the Spirit of
God ; he who does not glorify Him, has not the Spirit of God,
1 John iv, 1, 2. Paul furnishes a test of truth against the
Gentiles ; John, against the false prophets. — ympiZ,ta v/iTv, I make
known to you) Divine operations of thai sort had been formerly
unknown to the Corinthians. Before receiving these letters of
Paul, their knowledge had been less distinct, as they had been
rescued not long before from heathenism. — h miinan Qiou, by
the Spirit of God) Immediately after he says, by the Holy Ghost.
Godhead and sanctity ^ are synonymous especially when speak-
ing of the Holy Trinity. — XaXZv, speaking) This expression is of
very wide application ; for even those, who perform cures and
possess miraculous powers, are accustomed to use words. The
antithesis is to the dumb idols. — 7.sy£i av&kjia, calls Him, accursed)
as the Gentiles did, but the Jews more so. There is a raTiimeig,
or saying less than is intended. He does not call Him accursed,
i.e. he in the highest degree pronounces Him, blessed. Accursed
and Ziord are opposed. [It is a proof of long-suffering patience,
which surpasses all comprehension, that Jesus Christ, the Lord,
at the right hand of the Father does not refuse to tolerate, for so
long a period of time, such a mass of blasphemy from unbelievers,
and especially from the Jews, in their wretched state of blindness.
That consideration ought to suppress in the Christian any indigna-
tion felt by him, on account of any reproach whatever, however little
deserved. — V. g.] — tmiTv, to say) '!rvev/i,aTix.u;, in a spiritual manner.
4. Aioiipiiiii, divisions) The Lxx. use this term to express the
Hebrew word npiriD, concerning the orders of the priests. Comp.
dividing, ver. 11. — di, but) an antithesis between the one foun-
tain and the many streams. — ^apis/idruv, of gifts) Those endow-
ments which in ver. 1 he had called spiritual things, now, after
mentioning Jesus, he calls gifts. — miv//,a. Spirit) The Holy Spirit
is spoken of in this verse ; Christ in ver. 5 ; God the Father in
ver. 6 : and calUng them gifts, ministrations, operations, agrees
* Sanctitas, Holy Majesty. See note, Rom. i. 4. — Ed.
294 1 COKINTHIANS XII. 5-8.
respectively with these names. The Spirit is treated of at ver.
7, etc. : the Lord at ver. 12, etc. : God at ver. 28, etc. — [Comp.
Eph. iv. 4, 5, 6.]
5. AiaxotiSiii, of ministvations) ver. 28. — 6 bi airbg Kvpw;, but
the same Lord) The Son of God whom the Holy Ghost glorifies
by those ministers.
6. ''Evip'y7}/jbdTuv, of operations) ver. 10. — o de auro's ' ieri &ib;,
but it is the same God) by the working of His Spirit, ver. 11. —
TO. irdvra, all things) The working of God is seen somewhat more
extensively than the offices of Christ, and the gifts of the Spirit.
— iv vagiv, in all) Mascuhne ; comp. to every man, in the fol-
lowing verses.
7. (^aitpiaaig, manifestation) various, by which the Spirit wiani-
fests Himself, as He is hidden in Himself. — itphg rh ev/ji,p£pov, with
a view to that which is profitable) This is treated of at ver. 12, 13.
8—10. <{)• iripui- sr'iptfj, to One, to another, to another) Three
Genera : comp. ch. xiii. 8, and among these the expression, to
another, denotes many species, each one under its own genus.
So also XV. 39, 40, 41. aXXos in turn is used for distinguishing
the species ; iTspog, the genera. By a change, aXXos is used to
distinguish genera, inpog, species : Heb. xi. 35. Prophecy is put
here under the second genus, rather than under the first, be-
cause under uhe second such things are stated, as are more ap-
plicable to those, that are without, viz., to unbelievers, than to
such as are stated under the first genus, viz., to believers. — dia,
by) presently after follows xarii, according to ; Iv, in ; which are
severally used with great propriety. [The Engl. Vers, loses this
nice distinction by translating the ii&, xaTit,, and h aU alike ' byT\
— Xoyoj, the word) Both wisdom and knowledge are set forth ia
the church by the word. — Mp/as — yvueitai, of wisdom, of know-
ledge) Paul in various ways mentions knowledge, especially to the
Corinthians, either by itself, 2 Cor. vi. 6, or with things closely
connected with it; in word [utterance] and knowledge, 1 Cor. i.
5 ; comp. 2 Cor. xi. 6 ; in faith and utterance and knowledge
and in all diligence, 2 Cor. viii. 7 ; prophecy (concerning mys-
^ The -word sutI should rather be rejected, as well by the margin of both
editions as by the Germ. Ver. — E. B.
Rec. Text reads imi deos with later Syr., Orig., and B, which puts e(TT.
after hipyav. But ACT)(A)Grfg Vulg. Iren. Hilar, omit ihti. — Ed.
1 CORINTHIANS XH. 9. 295
teries) and knowledge, tongues being added, 1 Cor. xiii. 2, 8 ;
either hy revelation or hy knowledge, or by prophesying, or by
doctrine, ch. xiv. 6 : and here of wisdom and knowledge ; Col. ii.
3 ; Eph. i. 17, iii. 19. He speaks as of things, which are of
daily occurrence among the Corinthians ; at present we are in,
doubt as to the meaning and distinction of the words themselves.
This is certain, that when they are ascribed to God, they differ
only in their objects : see Eom. xi. 33, note ; when they are
attributed to believers, wisdom penetrates the length, the breadth,
the depth and height, more than knowledge. Knowledge is, so
to speak, sight; wisdom is sight coupled with taste.-' Know-
ledge relates to things that are to be done ; wisdom, to things
eternal ; hence also wisdom is not said to pass away ; ch. xiii. 8,
and knowledge is of more frequent occurrence ; so Paul does
not so much predicate the former as the latter concerning the
Corinthians, ch. viii. 1, ii. 6. Prophecy belongs to the prophets
wisdom to the wise ; what is left, viz., knowledge, to the scribes,
Matt, xxiii. 34 ; Luke xi. 52. — rh aM) the same, by whom the
word of wisdom is given.
9. n/tfr/s, faith) The faith here spoken of is not that, which
is common to all the saints, but it is a peculiar gift, and distin-
guished too from the four species, which immediately follow ; and
yet it is joined more with them, than with that first and third
genus of gifts, ver. 8, and ver. 10 at the end. This faith then is a
very earnest and vividly-present apprehension of God, chiefly in
regard to His will, as to the eifects, that are particularly con-
spicuous either in the kingdom of nature or of grace ; therefore
it is connected with the operation of the miraculous powers,
ch. xiii. 2 (of which the principal, because the most useful to
others, was the power of curing diseases), and with prophecy (to
which the discerning of spirits was closely related, ch. xiv. 37) ;
Rom. xii. 6. And from this description, which we have now
given, it is evident, how common or saving faith, and miracu-
lous faith, which is a peculiar gift, may either agree or differ,
how the one may, or may not be, without the other, and either
of them may, or may not be, without love. Men even without
righteousness and love may have an intelligent perception of the
omnipotent will of God in Christ, Matt. vii. 22 : but none but
^ ' Sapor, ' akin to sapientia. — Ed.
29G 1 CORINTHIANS XII. 10-] 3.
holy men can apprehend the will of God reconciled to us in
Christ : and in these things [as respects this apprehension]
there is not one faith working miracles, another saving faith,
hut one and the same faith. In its first act it always has a
miraculous power; for it is something entirely supernatural,
Eph. i. 19, although not always in such a degree, or on such a
particular occasion, as that it should exert itself conspicuously ;
see Note on Chrys. de Sacerd., § 416. — ■)(afi(Sii,aTa lafj^arm, gifts
of healing) " Not only miraculous cures are meant. Acts v. 15,
xix. 12, xxviii. 8, but also the gracious blessing on the cure of
the sitk, by natural remedies ; as it cannot be denied, that
some physicians are more fortunate than others, which should
be attributed not merely to their skill, but especially to Divine
grace;" E. Schmidius. This remark may also be applied to
other gifts ; for as the king of Judah substituted shields of
brass for those of gold, which had been lost ; so after the
Church lost what were purely gifts, grace still lends its aid
more secretly beneath the guise of human efforts and instru-
mentalities, and that too the more abundantly, in proportion as
the more opportunity is given to it.
10. nfop»jr£;{6, prophecy) See at Rom. xii. 6. — Siaxpleiii irn-j-
l/jarm, discerning of spirits) so that he can show to others, what
sort of a spirit each prophet possesses, ch. xiv. 29. — y'evr,
yy.uifsuii — tp/iriiiila, kinds of tongues — interpretation) ver. 30, xiv.
5, xiii. 26, 27.
11. BoiXirai, wills) the Spirit. So, as God willed, ver. 18,
He gives the several gifts, or some gifts, in various measures, to
the several individuals.
12. Ourca xa! 6 Xpisroc, so also Christ) The whole Christ is
the head and body. The head is the only-begotten Son of God,
and His body is the Church ; Augustine. This is in harmony
with Ps. xviii. 51. To His Anointed, to David and his seed :
for so the accent requires it to be.
13. 'E» evl vnv/jiari, by one Spirit) The Holy Spirit is in bap-
tism. — E/'s £1' ffS/ia, into one body) that we may be one body, truly
animated by one Spirit. — e/Ve 'louSaibi, lin "EXX>jii£s, whether Jews
or Greeks) who were bodies of men very different by nature. —
t'lTi do\JX(ii lire eXivhpoi, whether bond or free) who were bodies of
men very different by human institution. — Tavrs; iv Tviu^a) we
1 CORINTHIANS XII. 14, 15, 297
all have been made to drink one Spirit. \_Omitting i'n, we have
the true reading,^ I(ot. crit.], John vii. 37, etc. Hence also the
unity of the body is inferred. I do not think however, that
there is any direct allusion here to the Lord's Supper, Mark x.
38, note.
14. Ka/ y&p, for even) This protasis concerning the body
extends to ver. 26 : and is so adjusted, that the apodosis, ver.
27, is summarily added.
15. 'E&v, if) The more ignoble members ought not to be viUfied
by themselves, ver. 15, 16, nor can they be neglected by the more
noble, ver. 21, 22. — «:)?, the foot) The foot is elegantly intro-
duced speaking of the hand, the ear, speaking of the eye, the
part speaking of the part that most resembles itself. For so
among men, every one usually compares himself, with those, to
whom in gifts he bears the greatest resemblance, rather than
with those, who are far superior, or far inferior. Thomas
Aquinas says : " Men devoted to active life are distinguished by
the members, that serve the purposes of motion ; those who are
devoted to a contemplative life are distinguished by the members
that serve the purposes of the intellectual powers." He is there-
fore of opinion, that the feet are kept in subjection ; that the
hands occupy a more dignified position ; that the eyes are the
teachers ; that the ears are the learners. — om il/i,! Ix, I am not of)
supply, therefore, from the following clause.
15, 16. Ou '!rap& TouTo ouK 'isTiv ly, roS gdijj^aTOi) M^ in interroga-
tion expects a negative answer, as ver. 29, iJ^n ■"'diiTig angnXoi ;
[are all apostles, surely not ?] but oix interrogative affirms, as
eh. xiv. 23, oux spousiv ; [will they not say ?] Therefore the ques-
tion, whereby some read [as Engl. Vers, elc.J, ou Ta^A toZto ovx
'idTiv h roD tfw/iaros ; is it not therefore of the body ? perverts the
sense [Beng. reads it without interrogation']. OO -jrapSt, roCs-o oiix,
possesses a double, not a simple power of negation, as Acts iv.
20, oO Suva^ste /A^ XaXiTv, 2 Thess. iii. 9, oi^ 6V; ouk £%('/i£i' i^ovelav
[not that we have not power]. If the foot should say, because I
am not the hand, I am not of the body : this saying of the foot is
^ The els is omitted by BCD corrected later, G; "unum spiritum (others,
uno spiritu) potati sumus " in the oldest MS. (Amiat.) of Vulg. fff Syr.
Memph. Rec. Text has t'ls with later uncial MSS. A has h nufia, iafisr.
—Ed.
298 1 CORINTHIANS XII. 16-24.
blandly contradicted : Thou art not therefore not of the hody,
thou dost not therefore cease to be of the body. The phraseo-
logy of Theophilus of Antioch is very like this : oh itapii, rh ft^
^Xi'TTiiv nt)g rv^Xoug, ^dij xal oux igri rh (pSig roD rikioM ipcuiov, it does
not foUow, that, because the blind do not see, now therefore also
the light of the sun does not appear, lib. ad Autol., c. 3 ; and in
this passage •jrapa denotes on account of, as Deut. xxiii. 4.
Origen, c. Cels., p. 385, ou Sia. tovto oh fi,oi^evovei, They do not for
this cause cease to commit adultery. Chrysostom, ou yap B^tou h
roTg dvey^epigi xoivtuvouvTi;, h roT; ^ptjerorifoig oh xonoivriieTi, if you do
not now partake of what is unpleasant, you will not partake of
what is better, on 2 Cor. i. 7.
16. To dug, the ear') a part less noble. — 6ip6a,X/ji,hg, the eye) a
most noble and most commanding (Jiye/ioviiifi) part of the body,
comp. Num. X. 31. Sight excels hearing, ver. 17, 21.
17. E/ oXov axo^, if the whole were an ear) It is not said, and
if, for the etc. is supplied at the end of the verse, or if the whole
were smelling, where were the taste and the touch ?
18. Ka^ws rii'iXrigiv, as it hath pleased Him) We ought not to
require other and deeper reasons for things, beyond the will of-
God : it is lawful to philosophize in subjection to that will ; we
may do so respecting the world in its best ideal, [in a state of
optimism] as the apostle does here respecting the human body
in its best ideal.
20. 'Ev di ffu/j,a, but one body) From this unity there foUows
the mutual dependency of the members.
21. Xpiiccv, need) To this refer the word necessary, ver. 22. —
ij xiipaXri, the head) the highest part.
22. ' AehvieTeptx,, more feeble) the hand, compared with the
eye.
23. ' Arifi^orepa, Qess noble] less honourable) as the feet. The
comparative is used to soften the expression ; positively dis-
honourable [ignoble] was too severe. But he so calls those parts
which are covered with garments.— a(f;)/;7/Aora, uncomely) which
stand in need of clothing. — n/ifiv — irspiTiktJ.iv) So the Lxx.,
Esth. i. 20, iripiSiieovei n/i^v; likewise Prov. xii. 9. — sve/,
have) from the attention which they receive from the other
members.
24. Ou xP^lciv s^ii, luxve no need) Why then is it necessary to
1 CORINTHIAJSS XII. 25-28. 299
adorn smooth cheeks with patches ? ' — gvvsxipagi) hath tempered
together. — n/iriv, honour) comp. ver. 23, at the beginning.
25. 'Tmp aXKfiXm /ispi/ivSiei, care for one another) This is ex-
plained in the following verse. The plural f/,ipi/ivusi, more ex-
pressly denotes the care of all the members, than if it were said
in the Attic dialect, fj^ipif^v^.^
26. '2\)yyaAp%i) rejoice with it. Both this expression sinA suffer
with not only denote the affection, but also the effect.
27. 'Ex iJj'ipoMi, in part [m particuh/f\) He adds this, because
the Corinthians were not the sole constituents of the body of
Christ and His members, ch. xiv. 36. Even Rome should hold
it enough, if she be apart \in particular].
28. 'Ev, in) So, Ik, in [the "body], ver. 18, occurs with the
same verb set. — irpoirov, first) The apostles, not Peter apart from
them, are in the first degree ; the others follow them, according
to the nature of their office, their time, their dignity, their use-
fulness. — "TTpoipriTag, prophets) Acts xiii. 1. — rplrov diSagxd'koug,
thirdly, teachers) Teachers hold a high place, and are preferred
to those very persons,' who work miracles. Under prophets and
teachers are included also evangelists and pastors ; comp. Eph.
iv. 11. — sVs/ra, then) The other classes are not distinguished by
members [fourthly, etc., as first, secondarily']. — duvAfins, powers)
The abstract for the concrete, and also in the following terms.
— avnXri-^iig, xujSipvfiaeig, helps, governments [xu^'spvrisig properly
is the piloting of a ship]) They hold governments, who take the
lead [the helm] in managing the church. Helps, are those who,
though they are not governors, yet exercise a certain power and
influence, by which the others are supported; comp. xiii. 3.
These two offices are not again -taken up at ver. 30. Princes,
as soon as they adopted the Christian faith, claimed for them-
selves the office of helps and governments ; but at the begmning
those who stood first in authority, prudence, and resources in
the church, defended and governed it. Government is occupied
with external things ; therefore the Spirit reckons it as occupy-
ing an inferior place. — ip//,r}vila.g yXaseZiv, interpretations of
tongues) The expression does not seem to be a gloss spuriously
' As was the custom, in Bengel's days, among fops. — Ed
' Neut. plur. with verb sing. — Ed.
300
introduced from ver. 10/ for ip/j^nviia yXugguv is there in the
singular number, and it is repeated in ver. 30. The want of
the connecting particle [the asyndeton] is equivalent to the
closing formula, etc., or et cetera.
29. M)j 'xdwig, are all? [surely not]) i.e., not very many are.
— Svvd/ieig, powers) viz., are all ? For if Paul referred the have
all ? of ver. 30, to it, he would have expressed it here.
31. Zri\o\JTi, emulously desire) The Spirit gives as He wills, ver.
11 : but yet behevers may freely follow out, and engage in, one
thing in preference to another, ch. xiv. 26. God's operations
are pleasant, not compulsory. — to, xpilrrom, the better gifts) ac-
cording as each gift is more favourable to love. Theology is
comparative : ch. xiv- 5, 19. — iti) [and yet, Engl. Vers.] nay
even: so in ti -/.al, yea even also, Luke xiv. 26. I not only
exhort, but also show the method, and the way or plan [the
true mode of viewing the subject]. — xa^' birfp^okriv) This ex-
pression attaches to the noun substantive the force of a super-
lative (Rom. vii. 13), as if he were to say, the way most way-like
[viam maxim^ vialem]. — oSJv, a way) He does not add the
article, keeping the Corinthians somewhat in suspense, while
he explains the way: ^■|^> the way of love. — &eixv\j//,i, I show)
The present. Paul is now waxing warm, and is carried on to
love. When he has made this ' showing' of the way, he returns
to the gifts, as the word emulously desire [^>jXoDr£] repeated in-
dicates, here and at ch. xiv. 1.
CHAPTER XIII.
1. Eaii, if) All the gifts [although they may he, in the highest
degree, delightful, extensive, and useful. — V. g.] ought to be
estimated, exercised, and elevated, according to love and its
standard. The apostle introduces into the discussion of the
' The margin of the second edition, with the Gnomon, is more favourahle
to the fuller reading, than the larger edition and the Germ. Ver. — E. B.
All the oldest MSS. and Versions read yhvi •y'kwiuZsi) only. Hilary 967
alone has " genera linguarum vel loquendi vel interpretandi." — Ed.
1 CORINTHIANS XIII. 2. 301
gifts a more efficacious discussion respecting love. So in Dis-
putations, we must always return to those points, which give a
higher degree of grace. — ra/s) all — yXueeaig, tongues) A grada-
tion : with the tongues, ver. 1 : prophecy, ver. 2 : faith, ver. 2 :
/ shall have bestowed, ver. 3. — XaXSi, I speak) The tenor of love
causes, that, whereas he just before used the expression, to you,
he should now however speak in the first person singular. He
does not except even himself in the condition supposed [viz.,
Though I speak, etc., and have not charity, etc.] — xa/ ruv ay-
yeXuv, and of angels) Angels excel men, and the tongue or
tongues of the former excel those of the latter. Moreover, they
use their tongues At least to address men : Luk^ i. and ii. —
dyaffjiv, love) by which the salvation of our neighbour is sought.
— fjLri sj/w, have not) in the very use of the gifts, and in the rest
of the life. Many indeed have prophecy and other gifts, without
charity and its fruits, ver. 4 ; Matt. vii. 22, which are called
gifts, not so much in respect of themselves, as of others. — yiy om)
I have become, for want of love. The language becomes severe
[obtinet a«ro/i/av]. — yaX%hi, brass) Brass, for example a piece
of money of that metal requires less of the skill of the artist,
than a cymbal, for instance, of silver. He may be compared
to the one who speaks with the tongues of men without love ;
to the other, who speaks without love with the tongues of
angels. — ny/uv — aXakaZov, sounding — tinkling) with any sound
whatever, mournful or joyful, without life and feehng. The lan-
guage varies, / am nothing ; it profiteth me nothing, ver. 2, 3.
Without love, tongues are a mere sound : prophecy, knowledge,
faith, are not what they are [seem to be] : Matt. vii. 22, 15 ;
1 Cor. viii. 1, 2 ; James ii. 14, 8 ; every such sacrifice [gift
exercised without love] is without [the heavenly] reward,^ how-
ever much such a man may please himself, and think that he is
something, and promise to himself a great recompense. "With
love, the good things which are the antitheses to these defects,
are understood.
2. MtiiSTripia, mysteries) Eom. xi. 25, note. He does not add
wisdom, which is nothing without love. — yi-a.! irasav rriv ymm, and,
all knowledge) This is construed with I'lba, I understand, as
* Comp. Matt. vi. 2.— Ed.
302 1 CORINTHIANS XHI. 3,, i.
being a word of kindred meaning and immediately preceding.
Of those gifts, which are enumerated at ch. xii., Paul at ch. xiii.
selected such as are more remarkable, and to which the pecuhar
prerogatives of love are fitly opposed. Mysteries relate to things
concealed ; knowledge comprehends things which are more ready
at hand, and more necessary, as Wissenschaften is commonly said
of natural things — -ff/ffr/v, faith) ch. xii. 9, note.
3. Ka^ kdiv, and if) This is the utmost that the helps and
governments can do, ch. xii. 28. — ■y\/iiif/,i.//,hv 'iyji) has a psalm, in habit of mind or in
actual fact, either a little before, or only now : comp. ver. 30.
Extemporary hymns were given to them by the Spirit. Indi-
viduals had a psalm, wherewith to praise God, or a doctrine to
be imparted to his neighbour ; or a tongue, by which they might
speak every one to himself. The word 8%?;, has, repeated, ele-
gantly expresses the abundance of the gifts, which had been di-
vided. — amxaXv^Mv, revelation) by which God communicates
something to man ; Gal. ii. 2, prophetical revelation, ver. 30, 29.
S14 1 CORINTHIANS XIV. 27-32.
— ip//,rivi!a,v, interpretation) by which one man may interpret an
unknown tongue to another. — olxoSofj^nv, edification) the best rule.
27. E'/Ti, If) He now more particularly explains how all
things may be done for edification. — rig, any man) Merely one
person ought never to have spoken in an unknown tongue ; but
if one did speak, one or two should have followed to vindicate
the abundance of the Spirit.^rfiETs, three) may speak. — ava, /iepog)
by a division of the times or even of the places of speaking.
28. Eav di firi fi, but if there be not) Either he himself, who
spoke in an imknown tongue, might have interpreted, ver. 13 ;
or another. — giydroi, let him be silent) who speaks in an unknown
tongue. — iavTa xal rffl &iSj, to himself and to God) ver. 4, 2. —
XaXeiroi, let him speak) privately.
29. Xlpoj, life) Scripture does not readily
call this life, life ; oftener, it calls it aima,, the age : here it is
spoken of after the manner of men, as Luke xvi. 25. — {jXirixon;
ee/ih, we have hoped) we have believed with joyful anticipation of
the future. — IXumTifoi, more miserable) the comparative degree
is here in its strict sense : for if it had the force of the superla-
tive, the article would have been put before it : We are more
miserable than all m,en : the rest, viz. all other men, are not
buoyed up with false hope, and freely enjoy the present hfe ;
we, if the dead rise not, are foohshly buoyed up with false hope,
and through denying ourselves and renouncing the world, we
lose the certain enjoyment of the present life, and are doubly
miserable. Even now Christians are happy, but not in the
things, by which the happiness of other men is maintained ; and,
if we take away the hope of another life, our present spiritual
joy is diminished. Believers have immediate joy in God and
therefore they are happy ; but if there be no resurrection that
joy is greatly weakened. This is the second weighty considera-
tion ; the first is, that the happiness of Christians is not placed
in worldly things. By both of these weighty considerations,
happiness from the hope of the resurrection is confirmed.
20. Kuv/, now) Paul declares, that his preaching is not in
vain, that their faith is not worthless, that their sins are taken
away, that the dead in Christ are not annihilated, that the hope
of Christians does not terminate with this life. — a'lrap^ri, the
first fruit) viz. hea or wv being. The mention of the first
fruits admirably agrees with the time of the passover, at which,
as we have observed above, this epistle was written ; nay more,
with the very day of Christ's resurrection, which was likewise
the day after the Sabbath, Lev. xxiii. 10, 11.
21. Ka!) also, iviidri yap, for since, has here its apodosis.
i 22. lia.vTt; a-rohrjgHovgiv, all die) he says, die, not in the prete-
*
1 CORINTHIANS XV. 23. S2l
rite, as for example, Eom. v. 17, 21, but in the present, in order
that in the antithesis he may the more plainly speak of the
resurrection, as even still future. And he says, all. Those who
are in the highest degree wicked die in Adam ; but Paul is here
speaking of the godly, of whom the first fruits, a'^ta-^yri, is Christ,
and as these all die in Adam, so also shall they all be made
alive in Christ. Scripture everywhere deals with believers, and
treats primarily of their resurrection, 1 Thess. iv. 13, 14 : and
only incidentally of the resurrection of the ungodly. — h rffl Xpieru,
in Christ) These are the emphatic words in this clause. The
resurrection of Christ being once established, the quickening of
all is also established. — ^MOTo/ij^^ifovra/, the^/ shall be made alive)
He had said ; they die, not, they are put to death ; whereas now,
not, they shall revive ; but they shall be made alive, i.e. imply-
ing that it is not by their own power.
23. "Exaeroc — a.isa.fj(r\ — MTE/ra) In this verse we must thrice
supply sot/ or s/V/. In ver. 24 is must likewise be supplied. — ■
7a,yiJ.ari) in order divinely constituted, raijg, however, is the
abstract ; rayfi^a, the concrete. The conjugate, b-rr'sTa'^iv, occurs
in ver. 27. — amafyji, first fruits) The force of this word com-
prehends the force of the word apyii beginning, to which the end
corresponds as its opposite. — 'i'TriiTo, — ilra) "'Emira is more dis-
junctive; s'lra more copulative, ver. 5, 6, 7. "ETrs/ra, afterwards,
Latin, posterius, the comparative being opposed to primum,
' first,' ver. 46 ; of which first the force is contained in first
fruits, in this passage : siVa, afterwards, is used in a more
absolute sense. The disjunctive power of the 'imira, and the
copulative power of the iTra is clear in ver. 5, 6, 7. For the
twelve are joined with Cephas by I'lra ; The five hundred are
disjoined [from the Twelve and Cephas] and James from these;
but the Apostles are coupled to the last named person by i/'ra,.
Therefore those, who are introduced by iirnTa, are put in between,
as it were, by parenthesis. But here ver. 23 the matter seems
to be ambiguous. If we make a twofold division, we may either
insert Christ and those who are Christ's into the one member of
the division, and ri riXog, the end, into the other ; or we may
put Christ alone [by Himself] as the principal person, and join
to the other side those who are Christ's, and afterwards rh riXog
the end. By the former method, Christians are tbs appendage
VOL. III. -S
322 1 CORINTHIANS XV. 24.
of their head ; by the latter Christ everywhere retains His pre-
rogative, and all the rest of persons and things are heaped to-
gether in one masst By the former method, a comma is put in
the te-xt after ■/j/iarli^ by the latter also a colon ; and so ilra, re-
tains a more absolute sense, and yet its copulative power more than
the 'iicitra. Paul describes the whole process of the resurrection,
with those things that shall follow it, and therefore he renders
the resurrection itself the more credible. For this resurrection
is necessarily required to produce this result, that God may be
aU in all. — o/' roO yjngrox), those who are Christ's) A pleasant
variety of cases, Polyptoton, Xpierhg, Xpiifrou. Christians are, so
to speak, an appendage to r^s a'^afyjn, the first fruits. The
ungodly shall rise at the same time ; but they are not reckoned
in this blessed number. — h rtj '7rapouel(f, at His coming) then it
shall be the order of Christians [their turn in the successive
order of the resurrection]. They shall not rise one after another
[but all behevers at once] at that time. Paul does not call it
the judgment, because he is speaking of and to behevers.
24. Efra, afterwards) after the resurrection of those who are
Chrises ; for He, as King, will consummate the judgment be-
tween the resurrection and the end. — rh riXog) The end, viz.,
of the whole resurrection. This is the correlative to the first
fruits. In this end all orders [referring to " every man in his
own order"] will obtain their completion [consummated develop-
ment] : 1 Pet. iv. 7 ; Rom. vi. 22. This noun contains the
force of the verbs, delivered up [ver. 24] and destroyed [ver. 26].
See how great mysteries the apostle draws from the prophetic
syllables IV and P3, Ps. ex. 1, viii. 6. Gr. ci^pig, until, and
TcivTot, all things. Therefore even the words of Scripture are
inspired by God, komnjura. For all Scripture words rest upon
the same principles as these [The same reasoning is applicable
to all Scriptm'e words']. — 'irav — 'irav) when : — namely, when.
The former is explained by the latter ; and the first part of the
following verse is to be referred to the former ; the second part,
to the latter. So soon as the Son shall have delivered up the
kingdom to the Father, the Father will destroy all authority^
^ This is the punctuation of Lachmann and Tischendorf. The former,
however, puts a (^nmma between «Aof and Stxu : the latter does not Ed.
1 CORINTHIANS XV. 24. 3^3
and the deliverance of the kingdom into His hands takes place,
that all authority may be swept away. — vapahSj rnv ^aaiXsiav,
shall have delivered up the kingdom) The Father will not then
begin to reign without the Son ; nor will the Son cease then to
reign without the Father ; for the divine kingdom both of the
Father and of the Son is from eternity and will be to eternity.
But the apostle is here speaking of the mediatorial kingdom of
the Son, which will be delivered up, and of the immediate [i.e.,
without mediation] kingdom of the Father, to which then it will
give place. In the meantime, the Son manages the afiairs,
which the Father has put into His hands, for and by His own
people, for the elect, by the instrumentality of angels also, and
in the presence of the Father and against His enemies, so long
as even an effort of these last continues. The Son will deliver
up the kingdom to the Father, inasmuch as the Father gave it
to the Son, John xiii. 3. The Father does not cease to reign,
though He has appointed the Son to be king ; nor does the Son
cease to reign, when He deUvers up the kingdom to the Father ;
and by the very circumstance, that it is said, not that it is to be
abolished, but to be delivered up to the Father, it is signified, that
it itself also is of infinite majesty. But the glory before the
foundation of the world will remain, after the kingdom has been
delivered up : John xvii. 5 ; Heb. i. 8 : and He will not cease
to be king according to His human nature, Luke i. 33."^ If the
citizens of the New Jerusalem shall reign for ever and ever,
Eev. xxii. 5 ; how much more will God and Christ reign 1 — rSi
0tSi xal i:a.rpl, to God even the Father) God js here regarded in
a twofold point of view. He is considered, both as God and as
the Father in respect to Christ, John xx. 17 ; even in His state
of exaltation, Eev. iii. 12, 21 : and in respect to believers. Col.
iii. 1 7. He is considered as God, towards [in relation to] His
enemies, xarapy^etj [shall have put down] shall have abolished)
viz., God even the Father, of whom it is also said (until) He put
(3^, ver. 25) and He ha.s subjected [hirira^iv, ver. 27]. In a
similar manner, the subject is changed to a different one [from
God to Christ] in the third person, ver. 25 and 29 [the baptized
1 S. R. D. Moldenhauer on this passage refers to it the passage in Luke ;
comp. Dan. vii. 14. He very often agrees ivith Bengel : for example, ver. 32,
49, etc.— E. B.
a^i 1 CORINTHIANS XV. 25, 26.
for the dead — the dead — they, i.e., the former]. — -rSffav apx'^" "«'
■ragav k^oveiat xa,l S!im/iiv, all rule and all authority and power)
Rule and authority are also said of the powers of men, Tit. iii. 1
[principalities and powers] : but oftener of those of angels, Col.
i. 16 : and that too in the concrete, to denote their very essence
[substances] : here however they are in the abstract, as /3a
the graves are ready fgr me. Job xvii. 1. III. The first part of
the verse is of a milder character ; but the last part which
begins with if after all, has also an epitasis [an emphatic ad-
dition. Append.] expressed in its own protasis by after all, and
in the apodosis by the even [r! %«;] : and these two particles
correspond to each other ; and the same apodosis has an
anaphora [the repetition of the same words in the beginnings of
sections], joining its two parts by why even. IV. We must
mark the connection of the subject under discussion. With
the argument respecting the resurrection of Christ, from which
our resurrection is derived, Paul connects the statement of two
absurdities (indeed there are more than two, but the preceding
absurdities are repeated, though they have been already suf-
ficiently refuted by former reasonings) which would arise, if
there be no resurrection of the dead, if Christ have not risen :
and in the meantime, having disentangled the argument con-
cerning Christ, ver. 20—28, he refutes those two absurdities by
a discussion of somewhat greater length, which draws the sinews
of its strength from the argument concerning Christ. The
latter absurdity (for this has its relation to the argument more
evident) regarding the misery of Christians in this life, he set
forth at yer. 19, and now discusses at ver. 29 in the middle, and
in the following verses ; if after all : and in like manner he
stated the former concerning the ' perishing' of the Christians
that are dead, at ver. 18, and now discusses, or repeats, or
explains it in the first part of ver. 29. V. The force of the
apostle's argument, which in itself is both most clear and most
urgent. VI. The propriety of the several words consistent
vfith themselves, a) What shall they do ? is future, in respect
of eternal salvation, i.e., such persons being baptized, viall be
S30 1 CORINTHIANS XT. 29.
disappointed, their efforts will be vain, if the dead sleep the
eternal sleep. /3) The term baptism continues to be used in its
ordinary meaning ; and indeed in this epistle Paul has made
more mention of baptism than in any other, ch. i. 13—17, x. 2,
xii. 13. y) The preposition wip with the genitive might be
thus also taken in various senses ; of the object simply, as the
Latins use super, with respect to, about, so far as it concerns ;
with this meaning, that they may put the dead before them with-
out consideration of the resurrection ; or the words may be used
of paying as it were a price, viz., that they should account the
dead as nonentities ; or of obtaining as the price for their trouble,
viz., that they should be gathered to the dead for ever : but we
maintain the propriety with which uirip denotes nearness, hanging
over [such propinquity as that one hangs immediately over]
anything, whence Theocritus speaks of aeipodiXov rhv vvip yag, the
asphodel (king's spear) that grows on the ground. Idyl. 26.
Lexicographers give more examples, especially from Thucydides.
So they are baptized over [immediately upori] the dead, who
mil be gathered to the dead immediately after baptism : and
then over the dead is said here, as if it were said over the sepulchre,
as Luke xxiv. 5, with [Engl. Vers., among'\ the dead, i.e., in the
sepulchre. Nor is it incredible, that baptism was often ad-
ministered at funerals. S) The term dead is used in its ordinary
sense of the dead generally, as the article also requires, taken
in as wide a sense as the resurrection, i) The adverb iXoii,
after all, is used by a Corinthian who is supposed to be led on
by Paul, and who had rather peevishly opposed the resurrection,
not reflecting on the loss of the advantages even in this life,
which result in baptism : and e/ oXais is employed in the same
way as i^ubfi SXoig in Chrysost. homil. 5, c. Anomoeos : Not-
withstanding, though man differs little from an angel, since there
is nevertheless [after all] some difference Qvsib^ oXu; krl ti fiLsgoi),
we know not accurately what angels are. Q xal is not redundant,
but strengthens the force of the present tense, ^■avrlZpvTai, what
do they do who are baptized^ in antithesis to the fdture, ri
■roirieoiiei, what shall they do ? Comp. xal, 2 Cor. i. 14, xi. 12 ;
Phil. iii. 7, 8, iv. 10. Paul in fact places those who are bap-
tized for the dead, as it were at the point of death, and shows
that no reward awaits them either for the future, if they denied
1 CORINTHIANS XV. 30, 31. 331
the resurrection, or for the past. Paul seems to confute those
who denied both the resurrection of the body and the imnior-_
tality of the soul. The vindication of the former is a sufficient
and more than sufficient vindication of the latter. This is
an example of the gwyxaTcilSaaig, condescension of Scripture, which,
out of regard to the weak and simple, does not enter into that
subtle controversy, but lays hold of the subject at that part of
it, which is easier to be proved, and yet also carries along with
it the proof of the more difficult part, jj) The two clauses be-
ginning with rl admirably cohere : with a gradation from those
who could only for a little enjoy this life [i.e., those baptized at
the point of death] to (us) those who could enjoy it longer, if
they had not had their hope fixed in Christ. — niKpol, ,dead)
Throughout this whole chapter, in the question, whether [dead
men rise at all], Paul speaks of dead men, ttxpoug, without the
article ; afterwards, when this question Bas been cleared out of
the way, in the question how, ver. 35, etc., he uses the article ;
but Tuv in this verse has the meaning of the relative [rSiv viKfuv,
those who are dead already spoken of, ver. 12, 13, 16].
30. 'H/i£/5, we) apostles, iv. 9.
31. ' Amhri6-/.u, I die) Not only by reason of the danger which
was always set before him, 2 Cor. i. 8, 9, xi. 23, but also by a
continual dying itself [mortification.] This agrees with the
whole discourse. — vij r^v b/iSTspav v-ahyriSn^ ^'j t-^a h XpiHTSj 'IjjiTou
rSi Kvplui ri/j,S!iv, by your glorying, which I have in Christ Jesus our
Lord) In swearing or making an asseveration, if a human being
is appealed to, then that person is used, which is preferred as
more worthy, and therefore sometimes the third. Gen. xlii. 15,
16. — vri r^v vyhiav ^aptiui, by the health of Pharaoh ; sometimes
the first, 2 Sam. iii. 35. — rdSi soirieai i/,ai 6 ^sog xal raSs vpoihiri,
God do so to me and more also : comp. ibid. ver. 9., but generally
the second, 1 Sam. i. 26, ^^ ^ ■^'jx'i """j f'^'^V ^^V ^oul live : ibid.
iii. 17, rdde itoifinai j, unless it die) Paul completely
retorts the objection [converts the very objection into an argu-
ment] : death does not prevent quickening, but goes before it, as
the prelude and prognostication, as sowing precedes the harvest.
37. Ou rJ dZ/iba r6 yivrjgo/itvov, not the body that sliall he) viz., the
body that is beautifal, and no longer bare grain.
38. 'O he Qsh;, but God) Not thou, O man ; not the grain itself.
— aiirffi, to it) to the grain. — ^^IXjjcs, He hath willed) The preterite
in respect of creation, Gen. i. 11 : or at least because willing is
before giving, — ixdgrtjj, to every one) not only to the seed of fruits,
but also to that of animals. A gradation to the following verse.
— "diov, its own) suitable to the species, peculiar to the individual,
produced from the substance of the seed. This peculiarity is
further explained in the following vepse.
39. Ou •s-ao-a, all not) This is a universal negative. Every kind
of flesh is different from the others. Paul shows, that terrestrial
bodies differ from terrestrial, and celestial from celestial, ver. 41 :
but in such a way as to make each of these refer to the further
illustration of the difference of the body from its seed, and of
celestial bodies from' those that are terrestrial ; for in the apodosis
he lays down nothipg respecting the degrees of glory, but leaves
it as it were in an enigma to be considered by wise men, while
he accounts it sufficient to have openly asserted the glory of the
resurrection bodies. — aXXri Mfuirm, one hind of flesh of men) He
elegantly omits the yvord flesh, when he places the fleshof brutes
in opposition to that of man, xrrjvri here is applied to all quadni-
peds ; for fishes and birds are opposed to them. — '%^uwv, of fishes)
Therefore those, who eat fishes, eat flesh, and that too the more
sumptuously, as it is a delicate variety.
40. 'Emvpdvm,. CELESTIAL bodies) The sun, moon, stars. —
iiciyiia, terrestrial bodies) vegetables, animals. — iTip^, bi, but is one)
Concerning the glory of terrestrial bodies, comp. Matt. vi. 28,
29 ; 1 Pet. i. 24.
41. 'Airrip yap, for one star) For intensive. Not only have
the stars a glory differing from that of the sun and moon,
but also, what is more to the point, one star often surpasses
another star in brightness. There is no star, no glorious
33S 1 COKINTHIANS XV. 42-45.
body that has not some decided point of diflference from
another.
42. OuTc^, thus) This word relates to the protasis already begun
at ver. 36. — t-ireipiTai, is sown) a very delightful word instead of
burial. — h <.£»] xoifiYi^naofii^x, ou ■jrauns Si oKXayntrii^ida, with CG^, Orig. 2,552hc,
also Greek MSS. mentioned in Jerome 1,794c, 810c, also Didymus men-
tioned in Jerome l,795(i, and in 1,7986, Acacius, bishop of Cssarea, who
mentions it as the reading of very many MSS. A reads oi Taint; fih
KotfiriS. w iroiVTi; Se «>iA»y. — Ed.
cHi) 1 CORINTHIANS XV. 52-55.
cJianged) While the soul remains in the body, the body from
being animal [natural] will become spiritual.
52. 'Ev aTo/Lijj, in a moment) Lest it should be considered
hyperbolical, he adds a more popular phrase, in the twinkling of
an eye. An extraordinary work of divine omnipotence ! Wlio
then can doubt, but that man even at death may be suddenly
freed from sin ? — eaXmyyi, at the trumpet) The frill description of
the trumpets is reserved for the Apocalypse ; yet some things
may be gathered from Matt. xxiv. 31 ; 1 Thess. iv. 16, concern-
ing the last trumpet ; and this epithet is expressed here, as one
that takes for granted the trumpets, that have preceded it; either
because the Spirit has inspired Paul with an allusion, which an-
ticipates the Apocalypse, or because Scripture long before
teaches, that some trumpets, though not definitely enumerated,
are before the last. Is. xxvii. 13 ; Jer. li. 27 ; Zech. ix. 14 ;
Heb. xii. 19 ; 2 Esdr. v. 4: or especially in relation to the
trumpet at the ascension, Ps. xlvii. 6, comp. Acts i. 11 : for one
may be called the last, where two only are referred to, ver. 45; not
to say, where there is only one [sounding of a trumpet], without
another following. Rev. x. 7. — eaX'Trisii yap) for the Lord [Engl.
V. the trumpet] sliall sound by His archangel, 1 Thess. iv. 16.
The trumpet was formerly used on feast days for the purpose of
assembling the people. — y.ai) and immediately. — afiaproi, incor-
ruptible) Strictly speaking, one would think, that they should
have been called immortal ; for incorruptibility will be put on
by means of the change, ver. 53 ; but incorruptibility includes
immortality.
53. ToCro,) this itself our present corruptible state. — a, sX6a,
when I ccrnie) It would neither be pleasant for Paul nor for the
Corinthians to do this in his presence. Now, says he, you will
act the more generously ; then, we shall attend to other matters.
— Xoyiai, gatherings, collections) This term, a less agreeable one,
advises them not to delay.
3. Ous av hoii.i[La,(snri) whomsoever, when I am present, you shall
approve, as faithful. — il Ic/ffroXSn rourous mjj.-^ia, them will I send
with letters) in your name. The antithesis is, Paul himself, ver. 4 :
comp. &I&., Eom. ii. 27 ; 2 Cor. ii. 4. — rnv x^fh hiiZiv, your liber-
ality) a gracious term, and therefore frequently employed. —
2 Cor. viii. 4.
4. "A^iov, worthy) meet, if it shall be worth while for me to carry
it myself. He invites them to be liberal. — xifi^i, that even I) a
just estimate of one's self is not pride, 2 Cor. i. 19. Paul men-
tions himself in the first place. — aijv i/jloI, with me) so that all
suspicion may be obviated, 2 Cor. viii. 20, 21.
5. 'EKiuso/iui 3e, but I will come) He had said ver. 2^ when I
shall have come. — orav Maxidotlav) In this one passage an error
in a single accent was discovered in the smaller edition, after a
new preface had been written to it ; and we are forced to men-
tion this only on the ground, that the aiSrmation of that preface,
in respect to our edition being correct even to the smallest point,
may be consistent with itself. — disp^o/^^'h -^ pass) we have here
the figure Ploce,^ of which the antithesis follows, to pass through,
to abide, ver. 6. Wherefore we must not press the present tense.
He was not yet in Macedonia, but he was thinking of it,
ver. 8.
6. Tv^ov, perhaps) He speaks very familiarly. — ou i&v, whither-
soever) For ihe sake of modesty he does not express how far he
may be thinking to go, Acts xix. 21.
7. "Apri, now) after so long delay heretofore. — lav o Kbpiog Im-
^ See App.
' See Append. The same word twice used, once in the sense of the word
Itself, and again used to express an attribute of it.
1 CORINTHIANS XVI. 8-12. 345
Tfivri^ if the Lord permit) a pious qualification. The destina-
tions of the saints have some degree of Hberty, which the divine
goodness in various ways both precedes and follows.
' 8. 'Ev'Ef iffifi, At Ephesus) Paul was at Ephesus : comp. ver. 19,
respecting Asia.
9. &\ipa., a door) It is the part of a wise man to watch oppor-
tunities. — anif)yi, has been opened) at Ephesus. — iiiyuXri xai mp-
ync, great and effectual) He was about to take advantage of so
great an opportunity for some weeks ; comp. ch. v. 7, note. —
avTixiifisvoi, adversaries) whom I must resist. Often good, and,
its contrary, evil, flourish vigorously at one and the same
time.
10. As, now) An antithesis between Paul himself and his
substitute, Timothy.^ — afo^ois, without fear) This will be the
case, if no man shall have despised him. If some despised Paul,
how much more readily would they depise the youthful native
of Lystra. — Kupiov, of the Lord) Christ. — spydt^irai, worheth) It
is right that this work should be performed without fear. This
constitutes the foundation of true respect to the, ministers of the
gospel.
11. 'Aurov, him) a young man, Ps. cxix. 141, veunpo; iyu t'l/u
xai' ESOTAENflMENOS, I am rather young and am despised.
— d3i\.X(i irapixakiea, I strongly urged [greatly desired]) Paul
was not afraid of the Corinthians preferring Apollos, who was
present with them, to himself. Apollos, when Paul sent this
epistle, was not present, for he is not mentioned either at ver. 19
or at ch. i. 1. — /ura, ruv aSeXipuv, with the brethren) ver. 17.
These are different from those at ver. 11. — oix ^n SiXr}/ji.a, the will
was not) An expression as it were impersonal ; where the matter
is considered, as to be or not to be the object of the wish [will],
without expressing, whose will it is ; wherein however the
standard is the will of God ; comp. Matt, xviii. 14. So also
' The Germ. Ver., after the margin of 2d Ed. has the reading iimpk-^ri.
The Gnomon in this passage follows the former decision. — E. B.
"Ei7iTpi\pri is the reading of ABC^ Vulg. "E.mrps'jrii is that of D (A) O ;
so Rec. Text.
2 Tifi.6ho{, Timothy) was the bearer of this epistle. — ^V. g
84G 1 CORINTHIANS XVI.. 13-18.
the Greeks use the verb SiXa, Acts ii. 12. — orav ilzaipni'O, when
he shall have convenient time) The convenience indicated is not
carnal convenience, but that which follows the will of God.
13. TptiyopiTrt, watch) The conclusion exhorting chiefly to
faith and love [This is the sum of all those things, which either
Timothy or Apollos thought should he inculcated on the Corin-
thians. — ^V. g.] — h rrj rriSTii, in the faith, ch. xv. 2, 11, 14, 17.
14. 'El/ aya'irri, in love) viii. 1, xiii. 1.
15. ToTs ayioig, to the saints) The Dative is governed by iiaxo-
viav, ministry. To the saints of Israel, for they were the first
fruits of Achaia. — eauroij;, themselves) spontaneously [These were
the very persons, who had come from Corinth to Paul, ver. 17. —
V. g.] The more voluntary the service in difficult circumstances,
the more agreeable and praiseworthy. 2 Cor. viii. 16, 17 ;
Is. vi. 8.
16. Kai, ye also) in turn. — imrdggrigk, ye submit yourselves)
corresponding to 'ira^av, they addicted themselves. — euvspyouvTi,
[that helpeth with] that worketh with) others. — xo'jriSivri, that
laboureth) by themselves.
17. Xatpco, I rejoice) Paul in respect of God, gives thanks, when
he might have said, I rejoice; ch. i. 14, but when he writes to men,
he says, I rejoice or I rejoiced, instead oi I give thanks; Phil. iv. 10;
Philem. ver. 7 : comp. Acts x. 33 ; 3 John v. 3. Now again
the deputies of the Corinthians had departed ; and yet he says
in the present tense, T rejoice ; for a pleasant remembrance of
them remained, and the present is supposed to accord with
the time of the reading of the epistle at Corinth. — Sripava, of
Stephanas) This person seems to have been the son of that
Stephanas, whose house is mentioned, but not himself at ver. 15.
— -jgriprii/ja, [that which was lacking] the deficiency) So far as
you had been awanting to me, and were not yourselves able to
refresh me in my absence.
18. ' Aveixaugav, they have refreshed) True brethren, although
inferior, do not come or are present in vain. Such is the re-
freshment of the saints. — rh i//,ov vnv/^ia, my spirit) 2 Cor. vii. 13.
— %ot,l rh i/iuv, and yours) in regard to me : 2 Cor. vii. 3. — Imyt-
vdgxiri, acknowledge) The Antecedent [acknowledge] for the
Consequent [Give them a kind reception], so iibhai, to know,
1 Thess. v. 12. He who does not do so, is said to be dyvw/ioii/
1 CORINTHIANS XVI. 19-24. ^i7
19. TloXXoi, much) for especial affection, Acts xviii. 2, 1. —
AxiXa,; xal UpiixiXXa, Aquila and Priscilla) Elsewhere this
woman is mentioned first. In the epistle to the Corinthians, she
is put last ; comp. xiv. 34. — xa?' oTxov, in their house) This couple
afterwards set up a church also in their house at Rome ; Kom.
xvi. 5.
20. 'Ed (piXfj/jiaTi aylui, with a holy kiss) in which all dissensions
might be swallowed up.
21. Tfj ifijfj xiipi, with mine own hand) He therefore dictated
aU the rest of the epistle.
22. "E/ r/s ou, if any man not) Paul loves Jesus, do ye also all
love Him. — (piXif) loves with the heart : kisses virtually by his
conduct : the corresponding word to ) ixxXnel(f roS
eeou, to the Church of God) This has the force of a synonym
with the word saints, which follows.
3. EiXoyjjT-os, blessed) An elegant mode of introduction, and
suited to the apostolic spirit, especially in adversity. — 6 •xuTrip ruv
oixripfiuv xal ®ebg iradrti "^rapaxXiiesoig, the Father of mercies and
God of all consolation) Mercies are the fountain of consolation :
comp. Eom. xii. 1 : 'jrapaxaXiTv is zusprechen, to console. The
principle of exhortation and consolation is often the same ; con-
solation is the proof [the evidence] of mercies. [And Paul makes
mention of mercies and help, before he mentions afflictions. — V. g.J
He exhibits his mercies in the very midst of calamity ; and the
calamity of the saints is neither contrary to the Divine mercy,
nor does it beget suspicion against it in the minds of the saints :
afterwards it even affords consolation; therefore ■irdsm, of all, is
added.
4. Tl&sri- 'Ttderi, in all, i?i all) He who has experienced one
kind of affliction is pecuharly qualified to console those in the
same circumstances ; he who has experienced all is able to con-
sole men under aU kinds of affliction, Heb. iv. 15. — SXl'^n, in.
tribulation) The antithetic words on the one side are 'jraSTJ/aara,
adversities [the sufferings], and 6Xi-<]^ig, distress [straitness] of
mind ; of which the one is implied in the signification of the
other — and on the other side, earnpla,, salvation ; and •jrapdxXneig,
consolation ; of which the one is in like manner implied in the
2 CORINTHIANS 1. 5, 6. 351
signification of the other. The frequent occurrence of these
words will be greatly relished, but only by the experienced.
[How great need is there of experience ! how ill-qualijied a guide
is he, who is without it! — V. g.] Adversity is treated of
from ver. 8; cohsolation from ch. vii. 2, etc. Paul speaks gene-
rally of comfort at the beginning ; he, however, refers especially
to that, which he derived from the obedience of the Corinthians.
— aurof) we ourselves.
5. ToD XpiSroZ, I'lg rj/j,ar dia XpiBTov, rj/JiSiv, of Christ towards (in)
us; ours by Christ) The words and their order are sweetly inter-
changed. — Tai^fnara- -TrapaKkrisig, adversities (sufferings); consol-
ation) The former are numerous ; the latter is but one, and yet
exceeds the former. — olirws, so) There shines forth brightly from
this very epistle, as compared Avith the former, a greater amount
of consolation to the Corinthians, who had been deeply impressed
with the first epistle, consolation being extremely well suited to
their circumstances, after the distresses which had intervened ;
and so there shines forth brightly in it the newness of the whole
inner man, increasing more and more day by day.
6. E/Ve dk 6XiP6//,£6a,, x.r.X., and, whether we be afflicted, etc.)
The meaning is this, sits de 6Xi^6fiii6a {iXilSofisSa) msp rrjg i/iSiv vapa-
KXfjssdig xai eiiirrjpiag' sin TapaxaXou/isia (irapa.xa'kou/iiia) virsp xrX,
and whether we be afflicted (we are afflicted) for your consolation
and salvation; or whether we be comforted (we are comforted) for
your consolation, which operates in enabling you to endure the
same adversities which we also endure, and our hope for you is
stedfast ; knowing that as you are partakers of the sufferings (ad-
versities), so also of the consolation. As in Phil. i. 16, 19, ^XZ-v}//;
and eurtjpia are opposed to each other; so here 6'Ki-\'i{, the afflic-
tion of the ministers of the Gospel, and the consolation and
salvation of the Corinthians, are opposed to each other, in the
same way as the death of the former [the ministers] and the life
of the latter [the Corinthians], iv. 12. Furthermore, as though
consolation and salvation of the Corinthians depend on the afflic-
tion of the ministers of the Gospel ; so the consolation of the
Corinthians, and the hope of the ministers in their behalf,
depend on the consolation of the ministers. The participle
knowing depends on the verbs, we are afflicted, and we are com-
forted, understood. Thus the members of this period are con-
352 2 CORINTHIANS I. 8, 9.
sistent with one another, of which the various transpositions are
noticed in the Apparatus} We shall now explain some of these
words in particular. — i'/ti, whether) sometimes we are more sen-
sible of adversities, sometimes of consolation. — u/iSn, your) The
communion of saints, cultivated in the heart of Paul, Titus, the
Corinthians, and other Churches, is admirably represented in
this epistle, ii. 3, iv. 15, vi. 12, vii. 7, 13, ix. 12. These hearts
were, so to speak, mirrors reflecting the Hkenesses of each other ;
comp. Phil, ii. 26, 27. — -TrocpaxXfigniig, consolation) in the soul.
— e(drr}piai, salvation) in fact [in reality]. — rjjg mpyovfihrii)
in the Middle voice, iv. 12 ; Rom. vii. 5. — tojv airuv) the same,
in point of number. The adversities [sufferings] of Paul were
the same as those of the Corinthians, who were in the heart of
Paul : vi. 12 ; and the fruit of those sufferings redounded to
their advantage, although they [the sufferings] had prevented
him from coming to Corinth. A mutual participation [in suffer-
ings and consolation] is declared. — 'Kae-'/oihiv, xa/ ;i iXm's, we suffer,
and the hope) Hope is usually joined with the mention of afflic-
tions and patience, ver. 10 ; Eom. v. 3, 4, xv. 4. — /Ss/Sa/a, is
stedfast) It obtained stedfastness through adversity.
8. 'Ell TYi 'Agicf, in Asia) 1 Cor. xv. 32, note. The Corinthians
were not ignorant of that affliction, which had befallen him in
Asia ; but Paul now declares its magnitude and its advantageous
result. [_The whole epistle presents a journal of his travels ; but
most excellent precepts are interwoven with the narrative oj them.
— ^' §•] — ^'"''^P ^^'■'"■f^"} above ordinary strength. — IfaTopjj^jji/a;,
that we despaired) He affirms here, what he denies in another
respect, iv. 8 ; for he is speaking here of human, there of Divine
assistance.
9. 'AWa, but) i.e. nay ; supply, for this reason we ourselves,
etc. ; that not, etc. — H avoxpi/jLo.) Hesychius says, a.v6xpifi,a, xard-
■/.pif/,a, ■vJ/^poK. amxplveiv, to pass sentence on one condemned, to
consider him as dead. The antithesis is trusting. Simonius
takes a different view. — aXX' sirl, but in) illustrating the wonder-
' BD (A) Gfg Syr. later, place eite -a a.pa.x.xknu 1^,^60, vxip t^j vftuv ■jra.pa.x.-
Ji^ffsai; x«) auryipia,; after vTcip ifiaii, and before eiSotes. AC Vulg. Syr.
Memph. omit xai aurvipicc;, (Many MSS. of Vulg. have the et Salute), and
place the rest of the -words before t^j htpyovfiii/n;. Rec. Text without good
authority, places the words before xai i eA«-(f Ed.
2 COKINTHIANS I. 10-12. 363
ful nature of faith in the greatest difficulties, which seem to have
no means of escape. — iyilpovn, who raiseih) 1 Cor. xv. He had
written at great length on the resun'ectibn of the dead ; he now
repeatedly touches on the same doctrine, and, taking for granted,
that its truth is admitted by the Corinthians, urges its bearing
upon their practice.
10. PvsTai, delivers) The present, in respect of this affliction, i.e.
whilst we are in a state of death, we are delivered. — fiXmxafiiv)
we have obtained hope \we have trusted^. — puesrai, He will deliver)
that I may be able to go to you.
11. iMWiToijpyobvTm, you helping with) \iiroiipyi7\i is from Ipyov, a
work : 'ipyov, the work of effectual help, belongs to God ; ivovpyiTv,
to help suhordinately, belongs to the apostles ; emwrovpyiTv, to help
suhordinately along with, belongs to the Corinthians. — xai) you
also, not merely others. — '1% •xoXkuv •rpoeiii'xSiv, in many respects
[But Engl. Vers. "By the means of many persons"]) icpoau-jrov,
face, respect [point of view.] In respect, viz., of the past, present
and future. He has delivered, delivers, will deliver. We do not
translate it, of many persons, for that is included in the words,
iia itoXXuv, by many. — to ei; rjfias yapiSjito) the assistance, which is
vouchsafed to us by grace. — hia, •roWZv su^apigrfjOri) thanksgiving
may be given by many, ■^(apiisij.a, and ixi'^apieria are correlatives ;
iv. 15. — •I'Trip u/iSiv,^ for you) Just now he had said, /or us, in re-
spect of prayers ; now, he says, for you, in respect of thanks-
giving. The fruit redounded to the Corinthians. Nor was it
necessary, after e/'s riiJMi, again to say, hntip rnjMt?
12. Tap, for) The connection is : We do not seek in vain and
we promise to ourselves the help of God and the prayers of godly
men. — xau^rimg, glorying [rejoicingj) even in adversity and against
^ Tji iiiiau — ivxitqiarniYi, that tlianJcsgimng might he poured forth hy
prayer). He who enjoys the communion of saints, will never want an
opportunity for prayer ; although he should have nothing remaining in re-
lation to himself, for which he should feel any anxiety — [i.e. the concerns of
his fellow-saints will always afford him ample subject for prayer and praise.]
-V. g.
^ Therefore the reading ijft,uii, at the end of the verse, is disapproved by
the margin of both Ed., and seems to have slipped inadvertently into the
Germ. Ver.— E. B.
' All the oldest MSS. and Versions have iifiuv. Only a few MSS. of
Vulg. have vohis. — Ed.
VOL. III. Z
354 2 CORINTHIANS I, 13-17.
our adversaries. — rr,; guvuS^siu; nixw, of our conscience) ■whatever
others may think of us. — k'TtXirnn, in simplicity) aiming at the
one mark in the most direct way. — i'lXixpm'ic^^) in sincerity, with-
out the admixture of any foreign quality. — oiJx h, not in) The an-
tithetic terms are, fleshly wisdom, and the grace of God, who
wisely directs His own people, ver. 17, 18. — h rp K6g//,ifi) in the
world which is wholly deceitful [as opposed to godty sincerity
and simplicity.] — ■irepiigor'spciig, more abundantly) ii. 4.
13. " AXka) other things, contrary. — 'ypd,(po/j,iv, we write) in this
epistle. He appeals to a present thing. — amYivtiexiTi, ye read)
in the former epistle. — Jj xa/, or even) liriymgig is more than
avaymeii;. — ews rsXous, even unto the end) of my course, comp. ver.
14, at the end, and 1 Cor. iv. 5 : whence it is evident that regard
to the day of the Lord is not excluded.
14. 'AffJ fiepotii, in part) The antithesis, even unto the end,
is in the preceding verse.
15. Taur?i, in this) of which ver. 12 treats at the beginning.
— irpinpov, before) We have frequent mention of this intention
in the former epistle ; it is construed with I was minded. — dsvTipav
Xa.pn, a second benefit) They had had their first benefit [exhibited
by Divine help ; ver. 12] at the first visit of Paul : comp. thy first
love, Eev. ii. 4. He had designed a second benefit for them at
his second visit. Grace is in itself one ; but in being had [in the
having of it], there is a first, second grace, etc. : comp. John i.
16. [Of His fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.J
16. Ilpo'7rt/^r»T<
of D (A) Cfg Vulg.— Ed.
2 COKINTHIANS I. 18. 355
tions of] the flesh, he nrast rather have come, than not ; for they
who consult according to the flesh, endeavour by all means to
make the yea of the promise, whatever may occur, to appear in
the fulfilment, for the purpose of maintaining their consistency
{whether good or evil may result from it. — ^V. g.j But the
Apostle was neither inconsistent, nor carnally consistent : either
of which might have been suspected by persons under the influ-
ence of prejudice against him. He had made a conditional pro-
mise, and afterwards he delayed his visit for an important reason,
which had occurred to prevent it. — rJ ml xai rh ou) See App.
Crit. Ed. ii. on this passage. Simple yea and nay^ is quite ap-
proved of by Paul in the following verse, in which he denies the
yea and nay, concerning the same things ; but he affirms it, ver.
17, concerning different things. The word p, should be, is em-
phatic ; as it may be said, for example, of an unsteady [incon-
sistent] person. You can never be sv/re of finding either his " It
is," or his " it is not," to he as he says — ^that is, no one can trust
his word ; or as if it were to be said of a consistent man, ffis
" It is," and his " It is not," always hold good.
18. Xlierhg, faithful) The categorical statement impHed is this,
" Our doctrine is sure." The mode [or expression of feeling, as
opposed to a naked, categorical statement, see Append, on
modalis sermo^, however, is added : God is faithful, pW:
comp. amen, ver. 20. — Ss, but) The antithesis is between his
intention of travelling to see them, and the doctrine itself. The
external change of that intention for good reasons infers
no inconsistency in the doctrine. In the mean time, Paul
shows, that those who are light [fickle] in external mat-
ters are wont to be, and to appear to be, light also in things
spiritual. — -jrphi) with, to ; with (towards) you, is an antithesis
to withme, ver. 17. — ovx lyinn ml xa; ou, was not made yea and
nay) Contradictories have no place in Theology.
' Although this reading is declared to be not quite so good in the margin
of 2d Ed., yet, with the previous concurrence of the Gnomon, it is intro-
duced into the Germ. Ver. — E. B.
AH the old authorities,, excepting the Vulgate, support the double y»\ and
m ; even the Fuld. MS. of the Vulg. as corrected by Victor of Capua, has
"Est, est, non, non," and so agrees with the weightiest authorities (est, est =
»«!, no] ; non, non — ov, oi.) — Ed.
356 2 CORINTHIANS I. 19-21.
19. 'O y&f) roD ©sou u'lhg, l^eoug Xpidrhs, for the Son of God,
Jesus Christ) who is the principal subject of our discourse.
We should observe the joining together of the three appella-
tions, thereby showing forth firmness ;^ as also their position in
the natural order ; for the first is evidently not the same as the
third. — xal S/XouavoD, and Silvanus) Luke calls him Silas ; Acts
XV. 22 note. — aXka. vat) hut yea pure and unmixed, on our part
and yours. — b avrSi, in Himself) Christ preached, i.e. our
preaching of Christ became yea in Christ Himself. So the
reason assigned [aetiologia, see Append.] in the following verse
is in consonance. All the promises in Christ are yea. There-
fore truly also the testimony concerning Christ Himself is yea in
Christ.
20. ''Evayyikiai) promises, declarations. — rh val — rh afi^iv, yea
— amen) The words yea and amen agreeing together, stand in
pleasant antithesis to the words yea and nay, ver. 19, which are
at variance with each other : yea by afiSrmation ; amen, by an
oath ; or yea in respect of the Greeks ; amen in respect of the
Jews ; comp. Gal. iv. 6 note ; for yea is Greek, amen is Hebrew;
or yea, in respect of God who promises, amen in respect of be-
lievers ; comp. 1 John ii. 8 ; yea in respect of the apostles, amen
in respect of their hearers. — tOj &ea irphg fio'^av \to the glory of
God'\ to God for His glory) For the truth of God is glorified in
aU His promises, which are verified in Christ. — ir/>Js bo^av, to the
glory) iv. 15. — ll r^fiZiv, ly us) construed with there is, again to be
understood. For whatever may be the number of [as many
soever as are] the promises of God, there is in Him the Yea, and
in Him the Amen [every promise has its yea and amen, i.e. its
fulfilment in Him]. To the glory of God (is that Yea and Amen)
by us. The yea is re-echoed by us.
21. "O bi ^i^aiuv, now He who confirmeth [establishethj) The
Son glorifies the Father, ver. 19 : whilst [autem, de] the Father
in turn glorifies the Son. — ^ijSaiSiv, confirming) that we may be
firm in the faith of Christ. The term sealing corresponds to
this word ; the one is firom Christ and His anointing ; the other
from the Spirit, as an earnest. That is sealed, which is con-
firmed as the property of some one, whether it be a property
' For " union is strength." — Ed.
2 CORINTHIANS I. 22-24. 367
purchased, or a letter, so that it may be certain, to whom it
belongs ; comp. 1 Cor. ix. 2. A trope^ abstracts from the per-
sons and things from which it is taken. — jj/^as, us) apostles and
teachers. — guv v//,ii, with you) He speaks modestly of himself. —
I'lg XpiSTov xal ^fisag, in [into] Christ, and hath anointed) Con-
jugate words. From the oil here, we derive strength, and a
good savour, ii. 15. All things tend to the yea; ils Xpigrbv, in
faith in [towards] Christ.
22. ' AppaBSiva, earnest) ch. v. 5. dppa^uv. Gen. xxxviii. 17,
18, is used for a pledge, which is given up at the payment of a
debt ; but elsewhere for earnest money, which is given before-
hand, that an assurance may be afforded as to the subsequent
full performance of the bargain. Hesychius, appa^uv, '!rp66i>ua,.
For the earnest, says Isid. Hispal., is to be completed [by paying
the balance in full] not to be taken away : whence he who has an
earnest does not restore it as a pledge, but requires the com-
pletion of the payment. Such an earnest is the Spirit Himself,
Eph. i. 14 : whence also we are said to have the first fruits of
the Spirit, Rom. viii. 23. See Eittershusii, lib. 7, sacr. lect.
c. 19.
23. 'Eyii di, but I) The particle but forms an antithesis : 7
was minded to come, but I have not yet come. — rk Qihv, God) the
omniscient. — ImxaXoiJ/iai, I call upon) The apostle makes oath.
— M, upon) a weighty expression. — ■^ux'i''} soul) in wliich I am
conscious of all that passes within myself, and which I would
not wish to be destroyed. — (puSo/jLimg, sparing) a term of large
meaning ; therefore it is presently after explained : He is able
to spare, who has dominion ; he also spares, who causes joy rather
than sorrow. It confirms this force of the [in his] explanation,
in that he says, not for that^ we have dominion : not, seeing that
we have not [i.e. because we have not] dominion. — ilg Kopithv, to
Corinth) This is elegantly used for to you, in using words show-
ing his power. If face to face with them, he would have had to
act with greater sternness:' for his presence would have been
more severe. Comp. Exod. xxxiii. 3 ; Hos. xi. 9. Therefore the
apostle had sent Titus before him.
24. Kupiivo/isv, we have dominion) It would have been a
* See Append., on tropus. ' On the ground that. ' 2 Cor. x. 10, 11.
358 2 CORmTHIANS U. 1, 2.
serious matter for the apostle to have used even his lawful author
rity ; and therefore he calls it to have [exercise] dominion ; comp.
1 Cor. ix. 17, note, respecting such a mode of speaking. — ttjs
vlgTius, over iAe/aiiA) The faithful are freemen. — swipyot, fellow-
workers) not lords. — %«? as, of joy) which flows from faith, Phil,
i. 25. The antithesis sorrow, ii. 1, 2. — rfi ■k'hsth, hy faith) Eom.
xi. 20.— ItfriixaTE, ye stand) Ye have not fallen, although there
was danger of it.
CHAPTEE II.
1. "Expim di £/i,a,uTi/j, But I determined for myself) so far as I
myself am concerned, for my own advantage. The antithesis is,
to you in this ver. : comp. i. 23. — 3i, but) This is an antithesis to
not as yet, i. 23. — irdXiv, again) This is construed with come ; not
with, come in heaviness {sorrow) : he had formerly written in
heaviness, he had not come. — h Xuiri), in heaviness (sorrow) two-
fold ; for there follows, for if I make you sorry, and, if any one
have caused grief [sorrow, ver. 5.] This repetition (anaphora')
forms two antithetic parts, the discussion of which elegantly cor-
responds to each respectively, / wrote that you might know [ver.
4] ; I wrote that I might know, ver. 9 ; [the joy] of you all ;
[overcharge] you all, ver. 3. 5. /
2. Av-irSi, I make you sorry) either when present with you, or by
letters. — xa/ rig JoTA, and who is) The if has an apodosis consisting
of two niunbers, and who [xal ris], and I wrote [_xai 'iypa-^oi^ : ioth,
and, i.e. as well, as also. — ibfpahm [n, that maketh me glad) hy
the sorrow of repentance. — el /x,ij, unless) It affords me no pleasure
to have struck with sorrow by my reproofs the man, who now
gives me joy by his repentance. I would rather it had not been
necessary. — o Xua-ou/ifi/oj, he, who is made sorry) He indicates the
Corinthians, but more especially him who had sinned. — 1§ l/tou,
' See Append. The frequent repetition of the same word to mark the
heginnings of sections.
2 CORINTHIASfS n. 3-7. 359
by me) ap' av, from whom, in the following verse. These particles
differ thus : avh [coming from, or on the part of] apphes to some-
thing more at large; Jg [out of, by means of], to something
more within ; comp. ui. 5 ; 1 Thess. ii. 6.
3. Kal 'iypa-^a,, and I wrote) He shows that he had this inten-
tion at the time, when he sent his first epistle, in which he had
promised a visit, an intention which he explains at ver. 1. — ao'
S>ti, from wlwrn) as from sons. — on, thai) The joy of Paul itself is
desirable not for his own sake, but for the sake of the Corin-
thians.
4. 'Ex yinf, for out of)l wished to stir you up before I went
to you, that afterwards it might not be necessary. Anguish of
heart produced tears, mwcA anguish produced many tears. The
Corinthians might have seen the marks of tears on his letter, if
he himself wrote it — a proof of anguish. — ou ha), not so much
that, etc. The fruit of sorrow is not sorrow, but the fruit of love
is love. — XvffriS^Ti, you should be grieved) He is easily made sorry,
who is admonished by a friend himself weeping. — djv aydirriv,
love) The source of sincere reproof and of joy derived from it. —
yvSiTi, you might know) according to my faithful admonition. —
vipmeoTepug ilg u/iSs, more abundantly to you) who have been par-
ticularly commended to me by God, Acts xviii. 10.
5. Tls, any) He now speaks mildly ; any one and any thing,
ver. 10. In both epistles Paul refrained from mentioning the
name of him, of whom he is speakiag. — o\ix s/ii XsXivjixiv, he hath
not grieved me) i.e.. He has not made me lastingly grieved
[I am not now so disposed towards hun] dxx' dirh /iepov;, only
in pari) he has occasioned me sorrow. — ImlSapui, be heavy
upon [overcharge^ a weightier expression, than / make sorry,
ver. 2.
6. 'ixamv) Neuter, in place of a substantive; it is sufficient for
such a one, so that no more can be demanded of him :■ Ixaiov, a
forensic term. It is the part of Christian prudence to maintain
moderation. A considerably long time intervened between the
writing of the two epistles. — iT/n/i/a, reproof) In antithesis to
forgive, as also, to comfort, ver. 7. — rSv vKuovm, by many) not
merely by those, who ruled [the bishops and ministers.] The
Church at large bears the keys.
7. Xapigagdai) This word has the meaning of an indicative,
360 2. CORINTHIANS II. 8-12.
whence he is rather forgiven ; and the indicative is a very mild
fonn of exhortation : xii. 9 ; Matt. xxvi. 18, note.
8. Kvpudaif to conjirrn) the xD^os is connected with love, not
with sorrow. The majesty of the ecclesiastical government and
discipline consists in love. It is this, which reigns. Dp. LXX.,
xvptivi5 anvleai, the not being able to look
stedfastly, took place before the veil was put on, but subsequent
to the splendour of Moses [" the glory of his countenance"],
ver. 7 : wherefore, there, uien is used [because their not being
able to look stedfastly at him was subsequent to and the conse-
quence of his glory.] What is affirmed of Moses is wholly
denied by Paul respecting the ministers of the New Testament,
namely, the putting on of a veil, lest the Israelites should look
upon them. Often something is inserted in the protasis, which
in the proper application is intended to belong to the apodosis.
So in ver. 7 we have wste /i^ hLvaaiai armlgai ; here, -Trphg rh /ji,ri
arsvlgai. Here to wit the act is denied, not the power. The
power was wanting to all [the IsraeKtes] in the case of Moses ;
to some [viz. to them that are lost, iv. 3] in the case of the
apostles. — elg TO riXog tou xaTapyovfihov, to the end of that which
is abolished) Paul turns the words to an allegory. That,
which is abolished, has its end in Christ, ver. 14, at the end :
Rom. X. 4, the law tends to and is terminated in Him,
[Christ].
14. 'AXK' i-ffciipii6ri, but were hardened) but is opposed to the
phrase to look stedfastly. — rJ aM).the same, as in the time of
Moses. — I*/, upon) i.e. when they read, and although they. read. —
avayviieti, reading) pubhc, frequent, perpetual. Paul makes a
2 CORINTHIANS III. 15, 16. 367
limitation. The veil is not now on the face of Moses, or on
his writings ; but on the reading, while they read Moses, and that
too in such a way as not to admit Christ ; it is also upon their
heart, ver. 15. — (Lsm, //,ri avaTtaXwrrTo/jLivov) remains lying upon
them, so that it is not indeed taken away [so that the veil is not
even lifted off']. — on, because it is not done away, save in Christ.
[But Engl. Ver. "which veil is done away in Christ."] —
This is a statement introductory to the things which follow. —
xampyeTrai, is abolished [done away]) the Old Testament ; comp.
ver. 7, 11, 13. He does not say, has been abolished, but is
being abolished in respect of those, that are about " to turn to
the Lord."
15. 'AXX' sws, but until) But is opposed to the phrase is not
taken away. — ^w'xa) This is the only place, in which Paul uses
this adverb. It seems to have readily occurred from his recent
reading of the Lxx., Ex. xxxiv. 33. — amyivuKSMrai Muianc, Moses
is read) and that too, studiously, without seeing Christ therein.
The antithesis follows, but when it shall have turned to the
Lord.
16. 'Hv/xa S' av — 'TTipiaiptTrai rh xdXv/i/ia, but when the veil is
taken away) This is a paraphrase on Ex. xxxiv. 34, jjwxa &'av
iide'jfopsiiro Mcoueris ivavri Kupiov XaXeni avTSi mpiripiiri) rh ptaXu/i/ia.
But when Moses went in before the Lord to speak to Him, the veil
was taken away. Therefore i}\i'ix.a., meaning not if, but when,
evidently affirms, as in the preceding verse, and frequently in
the LXX., nvixa i&v, fjvlxa, &v. Gen. xxiv. 41, xxvii. 40 ; Ex. i. 10,
xxxiv. 24 ; Lev. vi. 4, x. 9 ; Deut. xxv. 19. ijw'xa S an, Ex.
xxxiii. 8, 22, xl. 36. — imirpi-^ri, shall he turned) namely their
heart. The truth is acknowledged by repentance, 2 Tim. ii. 25.
The method, not of disputation, but of conversion, is to be ap-
plied to the Jews. — irphs Kupiov, to the Lord) Christ, ver. 14. A
distinguished appellation, iv. 5. — mp/oupiTrai) vipiaipou/iai is pas-
sive. Acts xxvii. 20, and in the lxx.. Lev. iv. 31, 35 ; but
middle, very often in the lxx., and that too in the very passage
to which Paul refers. The antithesis of ver. 15 and 16 shows,
however, that here the signification is passive. The veil lies
[xeTrai, ver. 15] ; the veil is taken away. The present, is [that
moment, and by that very fact] taken away, is emphatic [not as
Engl, shall be taken away.]
368 2 CORINTHIANS III. 17, 18.
17. 'O hi Kipioi rh •rvivfid idriv, but the Lord is iJiat Spirit) The
Lord is the subject. Christ is not the letter, but He is the
Spirit and the end of the law. A sublime announcement :
comp. Phil. i. 21 ; Gal. iii. 16. The particle but, or now, shows
that the preceding is explained by this verse. The turning
(conversion) takes place [is made] to the Lord, as the Spirit. —
o5 Sk rh itniJiMa Kuplov, and where the Spirit of the Lord is) Where
Christ is, there the Spirit of Christ is ; where the Spirit of
Christ is, there Christ is ; Eom. viii. 9, 10. Where Christ and
His Spirit are, there is liberty : John viii. 36 ; Gal. iv. 6, 7. —
sxif) there, and there only. — iXivSipla) liberty, opposed to the
veil, the badge of slavery : liberty, without such fear in looking,
as the children of Israel had, Ex. xxxiv. 30.
18. 'H//,iTg &£ iravTif, but we all) we all, the ministers of the New
Testament, in antithesis to Moses, who was but one person. —
aiiaxexa,Xv/j,/ji,eviij 'TrpoauTifi) our face being unveiled with regard to
men ; for in regard to God, not even Moses' face was veiled.
The antithesis is hid, iv. 3. — nji/ do^av, the glory) divine majesty. —
Ktiplov, of the Lord) Christ. — xaroirrpif^ofLevoi) The Lord makes
vs mirrors, xaroTrplt,^, puts the brightness of His face uito our
hearts as into mirrors : we receive and reflect that brightness.
An elegant antithesis to evrirvTrai/jbhri, engraved [ver. 7, the minis-
tration of death — the law — engraven on stones^ : for things which
are engraven become so by a gradual process, the images which
are reflected in a mirror are produced with the utmost celerity. —
rfiv aurriv) the same, although we are many. The same expres-
sion [lively reproduction] of the glory of Christ in so many
believers, is the characteristic mark of truth. — ilxom, the image)
of the Lord, which is all glorious. — /jiiTa//,of(poi/ji,ida, we are
transformed) The Lord forms by quick writing (ver. 3) His
image in us ; even as Moses reflected the glory of God. The
passive retains the accusative ; as in the phrase, diddgxo/j,ca ul6v.
— dm do^ni ik do^av, from glory to glory) from the glory of the
Lord to glory in us. The Israelites had not been transformed
from the glory of Moses into a similar glory ; for they were
under the letter. — xaSdmp, even as) an adverb of likeness :
comp. ver. 13. As the Lord impre^es Himself on us, so He
is expressed to the life by us. He Himself is the model ; we
are the copies [images], — d'Trh Kuplou ftviviiaroi) from [by] the
2 COKINTHIANS IV. 1-3. 869
LorcEs (viz. Christ's, ver. 14) Spirit. This refers to ver. 17, but
where the Spirit of the Lord, etc. If there were an apposition
Paul would have said, ari Kxiphu roD •xniiianc. Elsewhere the
Spirit of the Lord is the mode of expression ; but here the
LordJs Spirit, emphatically, 'a-jto is used as in i. 2, and often
in other places.
CHAPTER IV.
r
1. Tnv diaxoviav raurriv, this ministry) of which iii. 6, etc. —
xaSiis nkirjSrifi-iv, as we have received mercy) The mercy of God, by
which the ministry is received, makes men active and sincere.
Even Moses obtained mercy, and hence he was permitted to ap-
proach so near, Exod. xxxiii. 19. — ouk — aXX', not — but) A double
proposition ; the second part is immediately brought under our
consideration by chiasmus i^ the former from ver. 1 6. Where-
fore ovx sxxaxov/iiv, we faint not, is there repeated ; we admit of
no serious falling off in speaking, in acting, in suffering.
2. 'A*6C7ra/i£^a) Hesychius : aveivd/aeSa, a.'rippi'^dfiiSa,- d^rs/Vavro,
Ta/uinjtfaiTo, airsra^aiiro [bid farewell to], we have renounced, and
wish them to be renounced. — ra xpwjra rris aig')(y\/rii, the hidden
things of shame \dishonesty'^ shame, having no regard to the
glory of the Lord, acts in a hidden way : we bid farewell to such
a mode of acting (to be discontinued), Rom. i. 16. The antithesis
is by manifestation, which presently follows, and we speak, v. 13.
— h iravoupyicf, in craftiness) This is opposed to sincerity; crafti-
ness s&eks hiding-places ; we do not practise it. — ^jjSe boKowng,
not corrupting [not handling deceitfulhf^ — Tr\ (panpiiiau, by mani-
festation) comp. iii. 3. — r^s dKnhia;, of the truth) according to
the Gospel. — sauroOs, ourselves) as sincere. — irphg) to. — waaav) all,
every, concerning all things. — ameibriffiv, conscience) ch. v. 11 ; not
to carnal judgments ; iii. 1, where the carnal commendation of
some is by implication referred to and stigmatised.
3. E/' di, but if) precisely the same as in the time of Moses. —
tal ten, even is) even strengthens the force of the present tense
1 See App.
VOL. Ill A A
370 2 CORINTHIANS IV. 4.
in is. — ro ivayysXm, the Gospel) which is quite plain in itself. —
iv, in) so far as it concerns them, that perish; so, ev i/io> ^dp^apog,
as far as I am concerned, a barbarian, 1 Cor. xiv. 11. — h nTg,
in the case of them) not in itself. — avoXXv/i^hoig, that parish)
1 Cor. i. 18.
4. 'Ev oTg, as concerns whom, [in whomj) — 6 hhg rou aiuvog tou-
rou, the god of this world) A great, but awful description of
Satan [corresponding to his great but awful work, mentioned here.
— V. g.], comp. Eph. ii. 2, respecting the fact itself: and Phil,
iii. 9, respecting the term. Who would otherwise think, that
he could in the case of men obstruct so great a hght [as that
which the Gospel affords] 1 But there is somewhat of a mimesis;^
for those that perish, especially the Jews, think, that they have
God, and know Him. The ancients construed rou a'lumg toutou
with run omierm, as if it were, the unbelievers of this world, in
order that they might give the greater opposition to the Mani-
cheans and the Marcionites." — roD almog rourov, of this world)
He says, of this, for the devil will not be able always to assail. —
irC^Xagi, blinded) not merely veiled [ch. iii. 14, 15]. — rSJv avisTm,
of them who believe not) An epithet,* by supplying the relative
pronoun exihm, of them ; for among those, that perish, are chiefly
those, who, though they have heard, do not believe. The Gospel
is received by faith unto salvation. — ilg ri fiij auydoai^) lest should
shine. — rfv (puTig/ihs rod ivayyeAiou, x.t.X., the enlightening [illumina-
tion] of the Gospel, etc.) He afterwards calls it the enlightening of
the knowledge, etc. — (pwto5 ;
and D(A)Gr/5r Vulg. have it after Xpiarov. ABODG^ Vulg. Orig. Iren. omit
Kvpiov in ver. 10. It is supported only by some later uncial MSS. and later
Syr., etc. — Ed.
872 2 COKINTHIANS IV. 8-10.
to be, with thanksgiving, ver. 15. — rou 0iou, of God) not merely
from God. God not only bestows power once for all, but He is
always maintaining it [making it good, ensuring it to His
people].
8. 'Ev Tavrl 6Xi^6fievoi, while we are troubled in every respect [on
every sidej) So vii. 5, in every, namely, thing, and place ; comp.
always at ver. 10. — ST^i^Sfievoi, while we are troubled) The four
participles in this verse refer to the feelings of the mind ; the
same number in the following ver. to outward occurrences, vii.
5, [Without were fightings ; within were fears.] They are con-
strued with s%o/4£v, we have ; and in every member the first clause
proves, that the vessels are earthen, the latter points out the ex-
cellence of the power. — oO srevo^cijpoi/j.ivoi, we are not [distressedj
reduced to straits) a way of escape is never wanting. — a-iropoiif/svoi,
we are perplexed) about the future ; as, we are troubled, refers to
the present.
9. AioiKo/jiivoi, persecuted) xaTa^aWofievoi, cast down, is some-
thing more [worse] than persecution, vi^., where flight is not open
to one.
10. XldvToTi, always) ad in the next verse differs fi"om this
word, aavrori, throughout the whole time ; aii, any time what-
ever [at every time] : comp. Mark xv. 8. The words, bearing
about, we are delivered, in this ver. and in ver. 11 agree. — rjjn
v'cxpugiv, the dying) This is as it were the act, life the habit. — rou
KvploM, of the Lord) This name must be thrice supplied in this
and the following verse, "^ and advantageously softens in this first
passage the mention of dying. It is called the dying of the Lord,
and the genitive intimates communion, [joint participation of
Christ and believers in mutual suffering] as i. 5. — 'Iijo-oD, of Jesus)
Paul employs this name alone [without Xpigrou or KvpUu accom-
panying it] more frequently in this whole passage, ver. 5, than
is his wont elsewhere ; therefore here he seems peculiarly to have
felt its sweetness. — vipiipkpovTig, carrying about) in all lands. — ha
xal, that also) Consolation here takes an increase. Just before
[ver. 8, 9], we had, but, four times. — h rf eiiij-an ri/iuv (panpwdft,
in our body might be made manifest) might be made manifest in
our mortal [dead] flesh, in the next verse. In the one passage
1 Comp. marginal note on ver. 6. — E. B.
2 CORINTHIANS IV. 11-13. 373
the noun, in the other the verb is put first, for the sake of
emphasis. In ver. 10, glorification is referred to ; in ver. 9, pre-
servation in this life, and strengthening : the word, our, is added
here [Iv rp eiiiian rifiSiv], rather than at the beginning of the
verse [Iv rS eu/ian without ^/iSJvJ] The body is ours, not so
much in death as in life. May be made manifest is explained,
ver. 14, 17, 18.
11. 0/ tSivTig, we who live) An Oxymoron ; comp. they who
live, ch. v. 15. The apostle wonders, that he has escaped so
many deaths, or even survived others, who have been already
slain for the testimony of Christ, for example, Stephen and James.
We who live, and death ; life, and mortal are respectively anti-
thetic. — nrapaiihoiMita, we are delivered up) He elegantly and
modestly abstains from mentioning Him, who delivers up. Look-
ing from without [extrinsicaUy], the delivering up might seem
to be done at random, [whereas it is all ordered by Provi-
dence.]
12. ©ayarog, death) of the body \by the corruption (decay) of the
outward man. — V. g.] — Zj ^Xi'jrS/Mvoi, things not actually seen now],
wiU be visible [oVara], when the journey of our, faith is accom-
plished. — y&p, for) This furnishes the reason, why they look at
those things, which are not seen.
CHAPTER V.
1. rAf, for) A reason given [setiologia] for this statement,
affliction leads to glory [ch. iv. 17]. — ft svlyuog) which is on the
earth : 1 Cor. xv. 47. The antithesis is, in the heavens. — ^^wv,
ou/r) The Antithesis is, of [from] God. — olxla, roD ex^vous, the house
of this tabernacle) The Antithesis is, a building, a house not made
with hands. A metaphor taken from his own trade might pro-
duce the greater interest in the mind of Paul, who was a tent-
maker [Acts xviii. 3.] — xarakuSri, were dissolved) a mild expres-
sion. The Antithesis is, eternal. — s'x"'"'"? '"'^ have) The present ;
2 CORINTHIANS V. 2-6, 375
straightway from the time of the dissolution of the earthly house.
— a^sipomiriTov) net made with the hands of man.
2. 'Ek rovrtfi, in this) The same phrase occurs, oh. viii. 10, and
elsewhere. — ffrEra^o/iji', we groan) The epitasis^ follows, we do
groan being burdened, ver. 4. — oixrirfifm, a dwelling-place, a domi-
cile) oixia, a house, is somewhat more absolute ; oh^ritpm, a donfii-
die, has reference to the inhabitant. — rJ J| olipavoZ) which is from
heaven : If here signifies origin, as, of the earth, John iii. 31.
Therefore this domicile (abode) is not heaven itself. — e'revSveasSai,
[to have the clothing put upon us] to be clothed upon) It is in
the Middle voice : 'hdu/ia, the clothing, Viz., the body : hence the
expression, being clothed [ver. 3], refers to those living in the
body; irnvhufLa, the clothing upon, refers to the heavenly and
glorious habitation, in which even the body, the clothing, will be
clothed. As the clothing of grass is its greenness and beauty,
Matt. vi. 30, so the heavenly glory is the domicile and clothing
of the whole man, when he enters into heaven.
3. Eiys %al, if indeed even \if so 6e]) That, which is wished for,
ver. 2, has place [holds good] should the last day find us alive.
— ivSued/avoi, being clothed) We are clothed with the body, ver.
4, in the beginning. — ou yu/ivot) not naked, in respect to [not
stripped of] this body, i.e. dead. — thpiSritsSfiiSa, we shall be found)
by the day of the Lord.
4. Ka,} y&p, for even) The reason of the earnest desire [ver. 2.]
— ffrsva^o/isi' jSapov/icvoi, we do groan being burdened) An appropri-
ate phrase. A burden wrings out sighing and groaning. —
ixdxieaeSai) to be unclothed, to strip off the body. Faith does not
acknowledge the philosophical contempt of the body, which was
given by the Creator.
5. KaTspyagafiivo;, He that hath wrought or prepared us) by
faith. — tig aWh rovTo, for this selfsame thing) viz. that we should
thus groan, Kom. viii. 23. — xcx,i) also ; new proof [token to
assure us] of our coming blessedness. — rhv appa^Sim, the earnest)
ch. i. 22, note. — rou milfiang, of the Spirit) who works in us
that groaning.
6. &ccppo\jvreg) The antithesis is between Sappovireg oSn vavrorf,
1 See App. Strengthening of the words abready used by something ad-
ditional on their repetition. — Ed.
876 3 CORINTHIANS V. 7-9.
and Sappoij/iiv Ss xai iuSoxoZ/iiv /iaKXov, x.r.x. Its Own explanation
is subjoined to each of the two parts : we are confident as well at'
all times and during our whole life ; as also we are most of all
confident in the hope of a blessed departure. — xa/) and, even. —
hdjifiouvTer £xSr]/i,ov/j,iv) These two words here signify abiding
[sojourning in a place] ; but ver. 8, where they are inter-
changed, departure. — ixdri/ioufnv, we live as pilgrims absent from
the Lord) In this word, there lies concealed the cause of confi-
dence, for a pilgrim [though abroad yet] has a native country,
whether he be about to reach it sooner or later, Heb. xi. 14. —
avb rou Kvpiou, from the Lord ) Christ, Phil. i. 23.
7. AiSt, Tigrius, by faith) Not to see, is nearly the same as
being separated. — yap, for) This refers to a^rJ, from [ver. 6,
absent from the Lord]. — ffsf/^raroD/isv, we walk) in the world.
So 'TropiiieSai, Luke xiii. 33. — ou dia I'/dovg, not by what appears to
the eye [Engl. V. sightj) The LXX. translate nsn», Effioj, vision,
aspect, appearance} See especially Num. xii. 8 : iv e'iSei, xal ou
6i ahiyiLaTuv, apparently and not in dark speeches ; likewise Ex.
xxiv. 17. Faith and sight are opposed to one another. Faith
has its termination at death in this passage, therefore sight then
begins.
8. Ae, indeed) An epitasis [Repetition of a previous enuncia-
tion with some strengthening word added ; Append.] ; comp.
ver. 6, note. — sii5oxoO/i£v) we have so determined [we regard it as
a fixed thing], that it will be well-pleasing to us. — Ic^jj^^ffa;, to go
home) ver. 6, note. — -jrphg rh Kuplov, to the Lord) Phil. i. 23.
9. A;i xal, wherefore also) that we may obtain what we
wish. — ifii'KoTifiov/ji.iSa, we [labour'\ strive) This is the only (piXon/ila,
or lawfiil ambition. — ihi, whether) construed with we may be
{accepted^ well-pleasing.
" ( hdrifiovvTe;, being at home) in the body.
iixdriaoZvTig departing), i.e. out of the body.
' Not the act or power of seeing (as ' sight' often means) : but the
seen, what presents itself to the eye, the appearance seen. — Ed.
' "Vulg. ff and Syr. Versions, Origen Lucif. 151 read Uhfi. she hhf.
But most MSS. and/ have the order of Rec. Text. Ed.
The margin of both Ed. has settled the reading ifrs exhfiovvTs; she
hlnfiovm;, inverting the order, as -equal to the received reading of the text.
But «/the critical note (App. Ed. 11. p. iv. nro. xiv. p. 896) be compared, the
2 CORINTHIANS V. 10. 37T
•^tudpsgroi, well pleasing) accepted especially in respect to the
ministry.
10. Toui yap vavras, for alt) when treating of death, the
resurrection, and eternal life, he also thinks appropriately, of the
judgment. The motive is herein assigned for that holy ambi-
tion. — -xavTai iiii-as, that we all) even apostles, whether abiding
as pilgrims here or departing. — f>avipoi6ijvai) not only to appear in
the bodi/, but to be made manifest along with [as well as] all our
secrets, 1 Cor. iv. 5. Even the sins of believers, which have
been long ago pardoned will then be laid open ; for many of
their good deeds, their repentance, their revenge directed
against their sin, in order to be made known to the world,
require the revelation of their sins. If a man has pardoned his
brother an offence, the offence will also be exhibited, etc. But
that will be done to them, with their will, without shame and
grief; for they will be different from what they were. That
revelation will be made indirectly, with a view to their greater
praise [credit, honour]. Let us consider this subject more
deeply.
§ 1. The words of sacred scripture respecting the remission
of sins ^e extremely significant. Sins are covered : they will
not be found : they are cast behind : sunk in the sea : scattered
as a cloud and as mist : without being remembered. Therefore
not even an atom of sin will cleave to any, who shall stand on
the right hand in the judgment.
§ 2. On the other hand, the expressions concerning all the
works of all men, which are to be brought forward in the judg-
ment, are universal, Eccl. xii. 14 ; Eom. xiv. 10 ; 1 Cor. iii. 13,
etc., iv. 5.
§ 3. The passage 2 Cor. v. 10 is consistent with these, where
the apostle from the manifestation of all, whether of those
going home or of those remaining as pilgrims, before the tribu-
nal of Christ, infers the TEREOK of the Lord and of the Judge,
ver. 11, 12, and declares that terror to be the occasion of anxiety
not only to the reprobate, but also to himself and to those like
Author seems afterwards to have changed both the order and the meaning of
the words, such as the Chiomon shows. For the Crit. Not. has hlnifiousrei,
going home, not being at home ; and the Germ. Ver. reads Wir mdgen in
der Fremde seyn, (i.e. ex.'inf^.oviiTis) oder heimgehen (i.e. hlyifcovi/rts.) — E. B.
878 2 CORINTHIANS V. 10.
himself. Such fear would have no existence in the case of the
saints if the opinion as to their sins not being about to be
revealed were assumed to be true. Furthermore Paul says,
that he, and such as he, would be manifested not only so far as
they have acted well on the whole, but also so far as they have
failed in any particular. There is wonderfiil variety of rewards
among those, who are saved ; and demerits [of saints] have
effect, though not indeed in relation to punishment [which the
saints wholly escape] but to loss, as opposed to reward, 1 Cor. iii,
14, 15 : comp. 2 Cor. i. 14; Phil. ii. 16, iv. 1. That phrase,
that every one may receive, etc., shows, that the deficiencies in the
case of the righteous will be also manifested. For thus and
thus only will it be manifested, why each man receives neither
more nor less than the reward, which he actually receives. The
Lord will render to every one, AS his work shall be.
§ 4. Wherefore we ought not to press too far the words quoted
in § 1. The sins of the elect, which are past, will not cease to
be the objects of the Divine Omniscience for ever, although
without any offence and upbraiding. And this one considera-
tion is of more importance, than the manifestation of their sins
before all creatures, though it were to continue for ever, much
less as it is, in the day of judgment alone, when their sins will
appear not as committed, but as retracted and blotted out iu con-
sequence of repentance.
§ 5. In the case of the elect themselves, their own sins will
not cease to be the object of their remembrance, although with-
out any uneasiness attending it. He, to whom much has been
forgiven, loves much. The everlasting remembrance of a great
debt, which has been forgiven, will be the fiiel of the strongest
love.
§ 6. So great is the efficacy of the Divine word with men in
this hfe, that it separates the soul from the Spirit, Heb. iv. 12,
and lays bare the secrets of the heart, 1 Cor. xiv. 25. Shame
for what has been committed and remitted belongs to the soul,
not the spirit. Men wallowing in gross sins often throw out
their secrets ; in despair they conceal nothing. But grace, much
more powerful, renders those, who have received it, quite
mgenuous. Men truly penitent proceed with the utmost readi-
ness to the most open confessions of their secret wickedness,
2 CORINTHIANS V. 10. 379
Acts xix. 18. How much more in that day will they bear, that
they be manifested, when the tenderness of the natural affections
is entirely swallowed up ? Comp. 1 Cor. vi. 9, 11. Such can-
dour confers great peace and praise. If in the judgment there
were room in the minds of the righteous, for example, for shame,
I believe that those sins, which are now most covered, would
cause less imeasiness, than those, of which they are less ashamed
at the present time. We are most ashamed at present of the
sins, which are contrary to modesty. But it is right, that we
should be more ashamed of other sins, for example against the
first table.
§ 7. That Adam was saved, we have no doubt, but his fall
will be remembered for ever ; for otherwise I do not understand,
how the restitution made by Christ can be worthily celebrated
in heaven. The conduct of David in the case of Uriah, the
denial of Peter, the persecution of Saul, the sins of others,
though they have been forgiven, have yet continued on record
lor so long a time in the Old and New Testament. If this fact
presents no obstacle to the forgiveness long ago granted, the
mention of sins will be no obstacle to their forgiveness even in
the last judgment. It is not every manifestation of offences,
which constitutes a part of punishment.
§ 8. Good and evil have so close a connection, as well as so
inseparable a relation to each other, that the revelation of the good
cannot be understood without the- evil. But since certain sins
of the saints shall be laid bare, it is fitting, that all the circum-
stances [aU things] should be brought to light. This view tends
to the glory of the Divine Omniscience and mercy ; and in such
a way as this the reasons for pronouncing a mild judgment on
some, and a severe judgment on others, along with the accurate
adjustment, axpi^elcf, of the retribution, will shine forth in aU
their brightness.
§ 9. I do not say, that aU the sins of all the blessed wUl be
actually and distinctly seen by all the creatures. Perhaps the
accursed will not know them ; the righteous will have no cause
to fear each other. Their sins, when the light of that great day
discloses all things, will not be directly manifested, as is done in
the case of the guilty, who are punished, whence in Matt. xxv.
no mention is made of them, but indirectly, so far as it will be
380 2 CORINTHIANS V. 11.
proper ; just as in a court of justice among men, it often occurs,
that many things are wont to enter into the full view [aspect] of
the deed incidentally. And in some such way as this also the
good works of the reprobate wiU be made manifest. All things
may be known in the light, but all do not know all things.
§ 10. This consideration ought to inspire us with fear for the
future ; for it had this effect on the apostles, as this passage
2 Cor. V. shows. But if more tender souls shrink back from
that manifestation, on account of their sins past ; when they have
been duly instructed from what has been said, especially at § 6,
they will acquiesce [acquire confidence in regard to the manifes-
tation of all sins in the judgment]. Often does truth, which at
first appeared bitter, become sweet after closer consideration. If
I love any one as myself, he may, with my full acquiescence,
know all things concerning me, which I know concerning my-
self. We shall judge of many things differently, we shall feel
differently on many subjects, until we arrive at that point.
Ko,a;V))ra;, may receive) This word is used not only regarding
the reward or punishment, but also regarding the action, which
the reward or punishment follows, Eph. vi. 8 ; Col. iii. 25 ;
Gal. vi. 7. — i-AasTog, every one) separately. — to, iia toZ ffu/iaros)
Man [along] with his body acts well or ill ; [therefore also] man
[along] with his body receives the reward ; comp. Tertull. de
resurr. carnis, c. 43. to, — ■Trpig a, those inmost thoughts, accords
ing to which he performed outward actions, bia rou eui//,aroc,
while he was in the body, ver. 6, 8— iv. 10, comp. dia Rom. ii. 27.
— I'lTs ayadliv I'ln xay.hv, whether good or bad) construed with hath
done. No man can do both good and evil at the same time.
11. ^Helh/itv, we persuade) We bear ourselves so, by acting
as well with vehemence, as also with sobriety [" Whether we
be beside ourselves, — or whether we be sober"']yer. 13, that men,
unless they be unwilling, may be able to give us their approba-
tion. Comp. what he says on conscience presently after, and at
iv. 2. — Uilhiv, aia.y%aX,m are opposed ; see at Chrysost. de
^ To* (po'/3o», the, terror) Eccl. xii. 13— V. ^.—uvipamv;, men). By
many the things -which God Himself does are not approved ; and how can
His servants be approved by any with regard to those things which they do ?
What is the counsel which His servants give r^-t/tfofis*] ? Thou hearest,
reader, in this very passage. — ^V. g.
2 CORINTHIANS V. 12, 13. 381
Sacer, p. 396, 392, 393. — '!npanpii/ii6a, we are made manifest)
we show and bear ourselves as persons manifest [to God and in
your consciences]. Those, who have this character, may be
made manifest without terror in the judgment, [pavE^w^^va/],
ver. 10. — e'K'jri^w, I hope) To have been made manifest is past,
whereas hope refers to a thing future. Paul either hopes for
the fruit of the manifestation, which has been already made ; or
else hopes, that the manifestation itself will still take place. —
gvHiStieieiv, in your consciences) The plura,l gives greater weight.
[It sometimes happens, that a man may he made manifest
to the conscience even of such, as attempt to conceal the fact.
12. Vup, for) The reason assigned [aetiologia], why he leaves
it to the conscience of the Corinthians to form their opinion. —
hhovTig, giving) supply we write, or a similar general verb, the
meaning of which is included in the particular expression, we
commend. There is a participle of a similar kind, vii. 5— xi. 6.
He says, we furnish you with arguments for glorying in our be-
half. — xauy^fiiiaToi, glorying) with regard to our sincerity ; so far
am I from thinking, that there is after all need of any commen-
dation of us. — e^ti", you may have) repeat, occasion. — sv itpoittfi.
xoci oi) xapdicf, in appearance; and not in heart) The same antithesis
is found at 1 Sam. xvi. 7, LXX., and in a different manner in
1 Thess. ii. 17. — xap&lif, in heart) such was Paul's disposition
[vein] of mind — truth shone from his heart to the consciences
of the Corinthians.
13. Em s^ldTti/iiv uTi eco(ppom/i,ev) The former is treated of
ver. 15-21 : — ^the latter vi. 1—10. The force of the one word is
evident from the other, to act without or with moderation. Paul
might seem td be without moderation from the Symperasma,^
which he gave in the preceding verse [namely, adorning his office
with so many encominiums. — Y. g.] — Sip, it is to God) viz., that
we have acted without moderation, although men do not under-
stand us. — u/iTv, it is to you) Even godly men bear the moderation
of their teachers with a more favourable feeling, than their
ixgragig, excessive enthusiasm; but it is their duty to obey the
Spirit.
• See App. A brief and summary conclusion from the previous premisses. — T.
382 2 CORINTHIANS V. 14-16.
14. Tc(,p,for) The same sentiment is found at xi. 1, 2 ; but
greatly augmented in force of expression ; for he says here, we
have acted without moderation [whether we be beside ourselves]
and the love of Christ, etc., there, in my folly and / am jealous.
— aya-jTri) love, mutual : not only fear : ver. 11, the love of
Christ, viz., toward us, in the highest degree, and consequently
also our love towards Him [That, which the apostle in this pas-
sage calls love, which m,ay perhaps seem, to go beyond bounds, he
afterwards calls jealousy, which may be roused by fear even to
folly, xi. 1-3.— V. g.] — diivix^i, constrains ['distinct' keeps us
employed]) that we may endeavour to approve ourselves both to
Grod and you.
15. Kplvavrai, judging) with a most true judgment. Love and
judgment are not opposed to each other in spiritual men. — imp
•jrdvraiv, for all) for the dead and living. — a^a o/ -jravTig, then these
all) Hence the full force of the wsp, for and the utmost extent
of the mystery is disclosed ; not only is it just the same as if all
had died, but all are dead ; neither death, nor any other enemy,
nor they themselves have power over themselves : they are
entirely at the disposal and control of the Redeemer. — oi has
a force relative to -Travnov, for all. An apt universality. The
teachers urge ; and the learners are urged, because Christ died
for both. — a.'jriSa.vov, are dead) and so now no longer do they re-
gard themselves. The generous lovers of the Redeemer apply
that principally to themselves, which belongs to all. Their
death was brought to pass in the death of Christ. — xai, and) this
word also depends on on, because. First, the words, one, and,
for all, correspond; in the next place, died, and, that they'
should live. — ol ^£n-ss, they that live) in the flesh. — dXAa, but")
namely, that they should live, viz., in faith and a newly acquired
vigour. Gal. ii. 20. — ro) he does not say, wip rou. It is the dative
of advantage, as they call it ; wsf, denotes something more than
this. — aat eyipS'evTi, and rose again) Here we do not supply, for
them; for it is not consonant with the phraseology of the apostle;
but there is something analogous to be supphed, for example,
[" that He might be Lord both of the dead and the living"]
from Eom. xiv 9.
16. 'A'Trh roD nv, henceforth) From the time that the love of
Christ has engaged [has pre-occupied] our minds. Even this
2 CORINTHIANS V. 17. 383
epistle differs in degree from the former. — obdem, no man) neither
ourselves, nor the other apostles, Gal. ii. 6 ; nor you, nor others.
We do not fear the great, we do not consider the humble more
humble than ourselves ; we do and suffer all things, and oui
anxiety is in every way to bring all to Hfe. In this enthusiasm
[exsTccsig, being beside ourselves], ver. 13, nay in this death, ver.
15, we know none of them that survive,^ even in connection
with our ministry, — xarA edpxa, according to theflesli) according
to the old state, arising from nobility, riches, resources, wisdom,
[so as that from more natural considerations, we should either do
or omit to do this or that. — V. g.] — ii 8s xai syvdoxa,/ji,iv) olda and
eyvcaxa,'^ differ, 1 Cor. ii. 8, 11-viii. 1. Such knowledge was
more tolerable, before the death of Christ : for that was the
period of the days of the flesh. — xara. eapxa, according to the
flesK) construed with lyvuxa/nv, we have known. — Xpienv, Christ)
He does not say here Jesus. The name Jesus is in some measure
more spiritual than the name Christ ; and they know Christ ac-
cording to the flesh, who acknowledge Him as the Saviour, not
of the world, ver. 19, but only of Israel, ch. xi. 18, note : and
who congratulate themselves on this account, that they belong
to that nation from which Christ was descended, and who seek
in His glory poUtical splendour, and in their seeing Him when
He formerly appeared, and in their hearing of His instructions
of whatever kind, before His sufferings, some superiority over
others, and in the knowledge of Him, the enjoyment of the mere
natural senses : and who do not strive to attain that enjoyment
which is here described, and which is derived from His death
and resurrection, ver. 15, 17, 18: comp. John xvi. 7 ; Eom.
viii. 34 ; Phil. iii. 10; Luke viii. 21.
17. E/ r/s £11 XpiSTip, if any one be in Christ) so as to Hve in
Christ. If any one of those who now hear us, etc. Observe
the mutual relation, we in Christ in this passage, and God in
Christ, ver. 19 ; Christ, therefore, is the Mediator and Recon-
ciler between us and God. — xaivn xrltus, a new creature) Not
* i.e. Those not yet dead with and in Christ, but living in the flesh:
note on o/ ^ums, ver. 16. — Ed.
' oii» seems to be used as scio (of an abstract truth well Jmown), or novi
(of a, person, with whom we are well acquainted), 'iynaxa, as agnosco, or
cognosco, come to the knowledge of, I perceive, or recognize. — Ed.
884 2 COKINTHIANS V. 18-20,
only is the Christian himself something new ; but as he knows
Christ Himself, not according to the flesh, but according to the
power of His life and resurrection, so he contemplates and
estimates himself and all things according to that new con-
dition. Concerning this subject, see Gal. vi. 15; Eph. iv. 24;
Col. iii. 10. — TO. af^a/bt, old things) This term implies some
degree of contempt. See Gregor. Thaum. Paneg. cum annot.,
p. 122, 240. — Tiaprikhv, are passed away) Spontaneously, like
snow in early spring. — /3oi), behold) used to point out something
before us.
18. T(i fie -rdwa, and all these things) which have been men-
tioned from ver. 14. Paul infers from the death of Christ his
obligation to God, ver. 13. — ^/iSj, us) the world, and especially
and expressly the apostles ; comp. the following verse, where
there is again subjoined [hath committed] unto us. That word
MS, especially comprehends the apostles ; but not them alone ;
for at the beginning of ver. 18, the discourse is already widely
extended [so as to apply to all meri\. Thus the subject varies
[is changed] often in the same discourse, and yet subsequently
the mark of the subject being distinct from what it had been,
is not expressly added. — jj^TV, to us) apostles. — ritv Siaxovlati, the
ministry) the word [of reconciliation] in the following verse.
The ministry dispenses the word.
19. 'Cig on) Explanatory particles. — r,v xaTaXXdgeiav) was recon-
ciling, comp. ver. 17, note. The time implied by the verb ?»
is shown, ver. 21.^ — Jv XpierOj, h ti/jlTh, in Christ, in us) These
words correspond to one another. — xosfiov, the world) which had
been formerly hostile. — xaraXKdgeur //,ri Xoyi^^o/nvoi, reconciling,
not imputing) The same thing is generally amplified by afiirma-
tive and negative words. — ra TrapaTs-w^ara) offences many and
grave. — Sc/jlivoi;, having committed) as it is committed to an in-^
terpreter what he ought to say.
20. 'TTsp XpiSTou, for Christ) Christ the foundation of the
embassy sent from God. — ■ffpee^iCo/i.sr SiS/jtiSa, we are ambassadors,
[we prayl, we beseech) two extremes, as it were, put in antithesis
to each other, which relate to the words we have acted without
moderation [whether we be beside ourselves, ver. 13]. In anti-
' viz. the time when God made Jesus to be Sin for us, etc. — Ed.
2 COBINTHIANS V. 21. -VI. 1. 3S5
thesis to these, the mean between those extremes is, we exhort
[fa.paxdxoijfifv, not as Engl. Vers., We beseech], ch. vi. 1, x. 1-
which appertains to the giiio^oipia,ie, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses) These
words are in close relation, and are variously joined with one
another and with the others, ch. xii. 10 ; 1 Thess. iii. 7 ; Kom.
ii. 9, viii. 35 ; Luke xxi. 23. In afflictions [^iXl-^^^ieiv, the pressure
of trials] many ways are open, but they are all difficult ; in ne-
cessities [avdyxaig], one way is open, though difficult ; in dis-
tresses [straits, arsvo^tiipluig], none is open.
5. 'Axarasraelaig, in tumults) either for, or against us.
6. 'Ev yvutsii) yvojgig often means leniency [sequitas], which in-
clines to and admits of putting favourable constructions on
things somewhat harsh ; and this interpretation is consonant
with the phrase, in long-suffering, which follows ; comp. 2 Pet.
i. 5 ; 1 Pet. iii. 7, note. — Iv fiiaapoSufulc^, iv ^prigTSrTjn, in long-suf-
fering, in kindness) These words are also joined together in
1 Cor. xiii. 4 under the name of one virtue [charity']. — Iv trnh-
Ihari ayiif), in the Holy Spirit) That we may always have the
Holy Spirit present, that we may always be active, as also in
the putting forth into exercise miraculous gifts, 1 Thess. i. 5.
There immediately follows, in love, which is the principal fruit
of the Spirit, and which regulates the use of spiritual gifts.
7. As^iSiv xai apidTipuv) by offensive armour, when we are pros-
pering ; and defensive, when we are in difficulties. In the case
of soldiers, xXimv, ayuv, Imnrpifiiv liti Sopv or !«' ^ifog signifies
towards the right hand; the It! aevlha, Jp sjw'ai' or yaXivh, signi-
fies, toivards the left hand, just as the left hand is called by the
French, the bridle hand (main de la bride), and the right hand
is called the lance hand (main de la lance). Add the note to
Chrysost. de Sacerd., p. 464. Paul has so placed these words,
that they might at the same time form a transition ; for he just
now treated of the armour for the right hand, and he is forth-
with about to treat of that for the left.
8. Aogjjs, glory) 86^a and arz/i/a, glory and disgrace are derived
from those, who possess authority, and fall- upon those, who are
present; evil report and good report are in the hands of the
multitude, and fall upon the absent. [Furthermore, glory pro-
ceeds from those, who recognise the character which the minister
of God sustains ; disgrace, from those, who do not recognise him
as such, and therefore esteem more highly others, that in the
affairs of this world perform any trifling work tohatever. Infamy
388 2 CORINTHIANS VI. 9-12.
or evil report proceeds from the ignorant and malevolent ; good
report from the well-informed in like manner as also the well
affected. In proportion as a man has more or less of glory or
good report, in the same proportion has he also more or less of
either disgrace or infamy respectively. — V. g.J The contraries
are elegantly mixed together. — dugfiri/iiag, evil report) If not
even the apostles escaped this evil report, who can ask to escape
it 1 — iig -trXdmi, as deceivers) men of the deepest infamy. — dX»i^s7j,
true) in the opinion of believers, and in reality.
9. ' Ayvoov/isvoi, unknown) [so that we are either quite unknown
and neglected, or we are considered altogether different from what
we really are. — V. g.] — Gal. i. 22 ; Col. ii. 1. — knriymaaaoiiivoi)
well known. — ^ibou, behold) suddenly and contrary to hope.
10. 'As/) alway, at every time. As often as we had been made
sorrowful. — irXovTit^ovTB^, making rich) spiritually. — iravrcc xaTs^-
ovTis [Engl. V. not so well, possessingl, holding fast all things)
lest they should be lost to others.
11. TJ tfro/ia, the mouth) A Symperasma,^ by which Paul
prepares a way for himself, in order that, from the praise of the
gospel ministry, brought down from ii.\14 up to this point, he
may derive an exhortation to the Corinthians. — a/euye, is opened)
hath opened itself. There is truly something very extraordinary
in this epistle. — KoplvSiai, Corinthians) a rare and very life-hke
address, expressive, as it were, of some privilege belonging to
the Corinthians ; comp. Phil. iv. 15, note. — jj -/.apSla,, the heart)
They ought to have concluded [drawn an inference] from the
mouth to the heart [of the apostle]. To be opened and en-
larged, are closely connected. — •jri'trXdrvvTai, has been enlarged)
is diffused [in a widely extended stream of love], 1 Kings
iv, 29, 3? nm, largeness of heart as the sand, that is by the sea-
shore.
12. Ou aTivoyupiiiih, ye are not straitened) The Indicative.
The antithesis is, be ye enlarged [ver. 13]. — Iv ri/iTv) in us. sv,
in its strict sense, in, as at ch. vii. 3. Our heart has sufficient
room to take you in. The largeness of Paul's heart is the same
as that of the Corinthians, on account of their spiritual relation-
^ ' A-jroh^dKouns, dying) xi. 23. — ^V. g.
* See App. A conclusion or brief summary drawn from the previous
premisses.
2 COKINTHIANS VI. 13-15. 389
ship, of which ver. 13. — erevoxiopiTdh, ye are straitened) by the
narrowness of your heart on account of your late offence.
Ev ToTg eirXa.'y^iiois i/nuV) in your bowels) which have been srieved
on my account.
13. Tfiv) supply xara, according to. — aiirfiv) the same; that you
may have the same feeling, as we. — am/nffdlav, recompense)
which you owe to me as a father; comp. Gal. iv. 12.^ — iig
TiKvoig Xiyoi, I speak as to children) He hints in this parenthesis,
that he demands nothing severe or bitter. — ffXaruv^ijrs, he ye
enlarged) A double exhortation. Throw yourselves open before
the Lord, and then before us ; comp. viii. 5 ; be enlarged, that
the Lord may dwell in you, ver.' 14 — ch. vii. 1, receive us,
ch. vii. 2.
14. Mn yiviah, do not become) a soft expression for he not. —
iTipoZuyoZvTig, yoked with an alien party [one alien in spirit]) \un-
equally yoked'], Lev. xix. 19, LXX. t&, xrfjvn eou oh xaroxi^sn;
irtpoZiiyM, thou shalt not let thy cattle engender with a diverse kind.
The believer and the unbeliever are utterly heterogeneous. The
notion of slavery approaches to that of a yoke. The -.word
Ci''1DV3n, Num. XXV. 5. The apostle strongly dissuades the Cor-
inthians from marriages with unbelievers ; comp. 1 Cor. vii. 39,
only in the Lord. He however uses such reasons, as may deter
them from too close intercourse with unbelievers even in other
relations [besides marriage] : comp. v. 16 ; 1 Cor. viii. 10, x. 14.
— a«Vro/s, to- unbelievers) heathens. He pulls up all the fibres
of the foreign root [of foreign and alien connections]. — rig, what'?)
Five questions, of which the first three have the force of an ar-
gument ; the fourth, or what, and the fifth, have at the same
time also the force of a conclusion. — 8ixawsuvri x.a' ai/o^/qt, what
fellowship is there between righteousness and unrighteousness)
The state of believers and unbelievers is altogether different.
15. BiXiap, Belial) The LXX. always express in Greek words
the Hebrew, ?Vv2 ; but here Paul uses the Hebrew word for the
purpose of Euphemism [avoiding something unpleasant by the
use of a term less strictly appropriate]. This word is an appel-
lative, 1 Sam. XXV. 25, and occurs for the first time in Deut.
xiii. 14. Hiller, Onom. S. p. 764. JBelijahal, without ascending;
i.e., of the meanest condition, of a very low and obscure rank,
Paul calls Satan Belial. Nevertheless Satan is usually put in
390 2 OORINTHIANS VI. 16, 17.
antithesis to God, Antichrist to Christ. Wherefore Belial as
being opposed to Christ, seems here also to denote all manner
of Antichristian uncleanness.
16. "SuyxaTaheii) LXX. Ex. xxiii. 1 : oi guyxaTaS^gp fj,STa tou
a&lxou, thou shalt not agree with the wicked. — /iiroi i/duXiov, with
idols) He does not say, fjuira vaou t'lSuXuv, with the temple of idols
(although the Syriac version supplies with the temple), for idols
do not dwell in their worshippers. — vfLiTg, ye) The promises, made
to Israel, belong also to us. — homfisca — XaJc, I will dwell in them
— my people) Lev. xxvi. 11, 12, LXX. Sijcrw rriv gxri\ir,v /j,ou h vfiTv
— x,ai if/^vepi'jra.T^go) iv v/iTi, xal ieo/j^ai v//,uv Qihg, xal hjj^itg 'iaieii /j,oi
Xao's : / will set my tabernacle among you — and I will walk among
you, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people. Paul
quotes a single verse, he wishes the whole paragraph to be con-
sidered as repeated. — ij/jirifmaTrtgai, I will walk among [in]) I will
dwell signifies the continuance of the Divine presence; I will walk,
its operation. The subject of God's gracious dwelling in the
soul and body of the saints may be explained from its contrary,
viz., the subject of [the question' concerning] spiritual and bodily
[demoniacal] possession ; as every dispensation of evil and good
may be compared together according to their opposite aspects
[principles]. — 'iaop^ai, I will he) The sum of the Divine covenant,
Ex. vi. 7; Heb. viii. 10. — 0£o's* Xao's, their God : my people) There
is a gradation, [here 0sJs ; but in ver. 18, e/s waTepal in the rela-
tion of a father ; [again here Xaog ; but s/'s u/oCj] in the relation of
sons, ver. 18 ; Eev. xxi. 3, 7 ; Jer. xxxi. 1, 9.
17. 'EpX^srs — iJjYi d'jTTis^i) Is. lii. 11, aviarrirs, avoarrin, s^sXhri
ixitiiv, xal &xaSta,fiTO\> /iij d-^tjffh- s^tXhTi sx /j^iaou air^j, a(popi(S6riTS,
x-r.X. — sx (t,£eov avrSiv, from the midst of them^ from the Gentiles.
— rXsyii Kuplog, saith the Lord) The additional epithet follows [in
ver. 18, augmenting the force of the words by Epitasis (See
Append.)], the Lord Almighty. — axaSaprov, unclean) The mascu-
line. Is. lii. 11, 1 : comp. Is. Ixv. 5. To this may be referred,
let us cleanse ourselves, ch. vii. 1. — /iri aimah, touch not) To see,
when it is necessary, does not always defile: Acts xi. 6; to
touch is more polluting. — tladi^o/iai, I will receive you l_within] to
me) as into a family or home [Comp. ch. v. 1-10, — ^V. g.J We
are out of doors, but we are admitted within. The clause, Cotne
out from, etc., corresponds to this. God is in the saints, ver. 16,
2 CORINTHIANS VI. 18.-VII. 1, 2. 391
and the saints are in God. iiBdixo/ioii corresponds to the Hebrew
word Y^?, Ezek. xx. 41 ; Zeph. iii. 19, 20.
18. E/'s vhiig %a) Suyaripag, in the relation of sons and daughters')
Is. xliii. 6. The promise, given to Solomon, 1 Chron. xxviii. 6,
is applied to all believers. — Kvpwg iffavToxpdrup, the Lord Almighty
[the Universal Mulerl. From this title we perceive the greatness
of the promises. Now the word 'jravroxpdrcop, [Universal B,uler'\
Almighty, occurs nowhere else in the New Testament but in the
Apocalypse ; but here Paul uses it after the manner of the lxx.
interpreters, because he quotes the passage from the Old Testa
ment. i
CHAPTEK VII.
1. KaSapkoiiiiv, let us cleanse) This is the last part of the ex-
hortation, set forth at vi. 1, and brought out ib. ver. 14. He
concludes the exhortation in the first person. The antitheses are
the unclean thing, vi. 17, and Jilthiness in this passage. The
same duty is derived from a similar source, 1 John iii. 3, Kev.
xxii. 11. — /j,oXv(S/j,ov, Jilthiness) Filthiness of the flesh, for example,
fornication, and filthiness of the spirit, for example, idolatry, were
closely connected among the Gentiles. Even Judaism, occu-
pied, as it is, about the cleanness of the flesh, is now in some mea-
sure yife/wness of the spirit. Holiness is opposed to the former ;
the fear of God, promoting holiness (comp. again 1 Cor. x. 22)
to the latter. — Tn/ii/i.ans, of spirit) Comp. Ps. xxxii. 2, Ixxviii. 8.
—ixiTiXovvTis, perfecting) even to the end. It is not enough to
begin ; it is the end that crowns the work. The antitheses are
up-j((iiLai, emriXeu, I begin, I finish, ch. viii. 6, 10, 11 ; Gal. iii. 3 ;
Phil i. 6. — ayicasivriv, holiness) corresponds to be ye separated, ch.
vi. 1 7. — h, in) he does not say, and [perfecting] the fear. Fear
is a holy affection, which is not perfected by our efforts, but is
merely retained. [The pure fear of God is conjoined with the
consideration of the most magnificent promises, ch. v. 1 1 ; Heb.
iv. l._V. g.]
2. 'S.upnea.Ti ijfiag, receive us) The sum of what is stated in this
392 2 CORINTHIANS VII. 3, 4.
and in the tenth and following chapter. — ^/tSs) us, who love
you and rejoice for your sake, receive also with favour our feel-
ings, words, and actions. — oiidiva n^iiiriea[iiv, ovd'sva sfklpa/Ji,iV, o'ohUa
£vXiov!XT^aa./iiv) He lays down three things by gradation, the first
of which he treats from ver. 4, by repeating the very word aSi-
xiTv, at ver. 12 ; the second from ch. x. 1, by repeating the very
word (phipiiv, at ch. xi. 3 ; the third from ch. xii. 13, by repeat-
ing the very word •jr>.£ov£x«;"v, ib. ver. 17. I have marked how-
ever the beginning of the paragraph at ver. 11 of the chapter
quoted. ' The point of transition [to the discussion of ■ttXiovs/.tiTv]
may be referred to what goes before or to what follows after
ver. 11 [i.e., maybe fixed in the context before or after ver. 11].
The discussion of the clause itself, cuBem i'lrXsovey.r^sa/i.ev begins at
ver. 13. This then is what he means to say : There is no rea-
son, why you should not receive us [favourably : capiatis] : for
we have injured no man, by our severity producing an absorbing
grief [referring to ch. ii. 7, " lest such a one should be swallowed
up with overmuch sorrow "] ; nay, we have not even made a man
worse by a too haughty mode of acting : nay, we have not even
defrauded any man for gain ; in everything we have consulted
you and your interests : comp. ver. 9 ; and that too, without any
reward. Whilst he declares, that he had been the occasion of
no evil to the Corinthians, he intimates, that he had done them
good, but very modestly keeps it as it were out of sight.
3. Ou vplg xardnpidiv, not \_for condemnation] to condemn you)
He shows that he does not say, what he has said at ver. 2, be-
cause he supposes that the Corinthians dislike Paul and his col-
leagues, but that he speaks with a paternal spirit, ch. vi. 13 :
and in order to prove how far he is from entertaining that sup-
position, he calls it a condemnation, thus humbling himself anew.
— 'jrpoilprjxa, I have said before) ch. vi. 12. — yap, for) The reason
why he himself does not condemn them, and why they ought to
receive the apostle and his associates [ver. 2 " Receive us."]- —
b xapdia,is, in our hearts) So Phil. i. 7. — el; rJ awa'iroSaviTv xal ffu^jji',
to die and live with you) ch. i. 6, iv. 12. The height of friend-
ship.
4. na^^jjif/a, boldness of speech) ver. 16, ch. vi. 11. — i-^rip v/luv,
in behalf of you) to others, the antithesis is vphs Ifiai, to [toward]
you. — vapaxXfieu, with comfort) concerning which, see ver. C, 7 :
2 CORINTHIANS VII. 5-8. 393
concerning joy, ver. 7, 8, 16 : concerning both, ver. 13 :
comfort relieves ['refreshes,' ver. 13], joy entirely frees us from,
sorrow. — i'rip'jnfiisgiCo/Mai, I exceedingly [over and above'] abound)
above [i/^ep] all adversity. — SXl-^^si, in ['tribulation'] affliction)
of which, ver. 5, 6Xil36fimi, ['troubled'] afflicted. To this belong
all those trials which he has mentioned at ch. iv. 7, 8, vi. 4, 5.
5. "Sdpg, Jlesh) This is used in a large sense ; weigh well the
■word po/3o;, fears. — iXi^o/^im) [troubled] afflicted, viz., we were.
— 'i^oihv, without) on the part of the Gentiles. — 'ieakv, within)
on the part of the brethren, comp. 1 Cor. v. 12, 2 Cor. iv. 16.
6. Toils Tavemou;, the humble [them that are cast down]) for those
that are exalted and puffed up, do not receive [are not capable
of] comfort.
7. ' Ava.yyiXkmv) bringing bach word to us who were waiting
for him. This is the meaning of the compound verb. The
nominative [in its construction] depends on itapiKKrjSri, he was
comforted: the sense also refers to the words, h rri wafouir/iy, by
his coming. — rijv u/awv im'jroSrieiv, your earnest desire) towards me. —
rov vf^aiv iSupfJii)/, your mourning) concerning yourselves, because
you had not immediately punished the sin. — nv 6/iwv ^iiXoi/, your
zeal [fervent mind]) for saving the soul [spirit] of the, sinner.
These three expressions occur again, ver. 11. A syntheton' is
added to each of them : but here he deals with them more
moderately, and for the sake of euphemism [see Append.] puts
earnest desire in the first place, and uses the expression mourning,
not indignation. — ute^ l/ioD, for my sake [not as Engl, toward me])
Because the Corinthians showed a " fervent mind," Paul was
relieved from the exercise of that fervour. — w ywjcr/a, genuine, is ^IB*, conver-
sion, s-!riaTpo(prt, /iEra/iEXs/a, which finishes and crowns the work,
since it brings in quite a new mode of living, instead of the
old." Such are his views. Furthermore, on account of the
very close relationship between the understanding and the wiU,
fiSTa/iiXeici and /iirdvoia: occur together, and both the nouns and
verbs are promiscuously used even by philosophers, and they
correspond in the Lxx. with the single Hebrew word DDJ ; in
both /iiToi signifies after. Whence Plato in tie Gorgias, raura
•rpovo^iadi fiiv, duvaroi' (iSTai/o^aasi di, Adivara. These things are
possible to them that think beforehand, but impossible to those that
think afterwards. Synesius, Ep. iv., ro3 lm/i^6ii, fmah, rJ /ih
(isXiiv oix ?v, A 5s /iira/j^sXiiv, iv^v. It is said, that Epimethms had
no care at the time, but that he afterwards had care.^ Both these
' Epimethms was fabled, in contrast to Prometheus, to have had no
thought, but to have had after thought when too late — Ed.
gnC 2 CORINTHIANS VII. 10.
words are therefore applied to him, who repents of what he has
done, and of the counsel which he has followed, whether his
penitence be good or bad, whether it be on account of something
evil or good, whether accompanied with a change of future
conduct or not. If we consider their use however, iLira^iAXiia.
is generally a term midway between good and bad \jiieov, in-
diferenfl, and is chiefly referred to single actions; but /iirdvoia,
especially in the New Testament, is taken in a good sense, by
which is denoted the repentance [regret on account] of the
whole life, and, in some respects, [loathing] of ourselves,^ or
that whole blessed remembrance of the mind [the mind's review
of the past, and of its own state heretofore] after error and sin,
with all the affections entering into it, which suitable fruits
follow. Hence it happens, that /isravosn is often put in the im-
perative, //,iTa//,sK£T feelings
arose. They had taken up the clearing of themselves [avoKoyiav,
self-defence] and a feeling of indignation, in respect to them-
selves ; they had fear and vehement desire, in respect to the
apostle ; zeal and revenge, in respect of him, who had been
guilty of the sin. Comp. in this threefold respect ver. 7, note,
and ver. 12, note. — aitokoyiav, clearing of yourselves [self-de-
fence'^ inasmuch as you did not approve of the deed. — ayavax-
rriem, indignation) inasmuch as you did not instantly restrain
it. — ayccvdxrrigiv is used here with admirable propriety. It de-
notes the pain, of which a man has the cause in himself, for
example in dentition ; for E. Schmidius compares with this
398 2 CORINTHIANS VII. 12, 13.
passage that from Plato, xvrisig xal ayavKXTfiaie vipl to. oZXa., itch-
ing and pain about the gums. — po'/Soi/, fear) lest I should come
with a rod. — Iviito^nf^, vehement desire) to see me. — Z^rikov, zeal)
for the good of the soul of him, "who had sinned. — dxx' ixdlx-jjeiv,
hut revenge) against the evil, which he had perpetrated, 1 Cor.
V. 2, 3. — h irmri) in all the respects, which I have stated. —
(fmigT^gaTi eavToiig, you have approved yourselves to me) you have
given me satisfaction. — ayvoii; iTmi, to be clear) To be is a mild
expression for to have become ; for they had not been quite clear,
1 Cor. V. 6. A mutual amnesty is expressed in this and the
following verse. — vpayiian, in the matter) He speaks indefinitely,
as in the case of an odious occurrence.
12. Ohx^'ivixiv To\J a,diK^ga.vTog) Whatever I have written, I have
written it, not for the sake of him, who did the wrong. He calls
him rhv abmrieavTa, whom he calls, ch. ii. 5, rJv XfXuffjjxoVa. He
now varies the term because the expression, to make sorry, he
said concerning himself, ver. 8, 9 ; and he now dismisses this
very sorrow. Inasmuch as you Corinthians have done what
was just respecting him, who had committed the sin, by your
zeal and revenge, I acquiesce. — mh\ hexiv tou adixriSevrog, nor for
the sake of him, who suffered wrong) The singular for the plural
by euphemism. The Corinthians had suffered wrong, ch. ii. 5 ;
and their clearing of themselves, and indignation put it now in
Paul's power to acquiesce also on their account. Others ex-
plain it as referring to the offended parent, 1 Cor. v. 1. — r^>
emuS^v fifiZv, our care) Comp. ii. 4. — hiiviov, in the sight of)
Construed with (pavipaSnmi, that it might be manifested.
13. 'Eff/ rji vapax'krisii i/j^uv, on account of your comfort) which
followed that very sorrow. — -jripigeoTipeiig ^/j^aXkov, more abundantly
rather [exceedingly the more^ That feeling rather [jLaKkoi] takes
the name oi joy than comfort; and the joy was, mpiggoTip^ag,
more abundant, than the comfort. So (iiaXkov with the superla-
tive, xii. 9 : fiaXXov for di ^[autem], yea and, is put here with
striking effect.
* Tischend. and Lachm. stop thus : lid tovto TxpaxsxhTifti^a. M Se rti
■mpeix'htiaii, etc. The Se is put after ■jripunroTipus by Rec. Text. But after
M by BOD(A)G/^ Vulg.— Ed.
^ The omission, however, of the particle Se both in the margin of the 2d
Ed. and in the Germ. Ver,, is thought to be not quite so certain. — E. B.
2 CORINTHIANS VII. 14, 16.-Vni. 1, 2. 399
14. Kexav^ri/iui, ov xarrje^Mrjv, I Jiave boasted, I am not
ashamed') ch. ix. 4, xii. 6. — irdfra, all things) He suitably refers
to ch. i. 18.
16. 'Ell iravrl, in every thing) This is applicable in the antece-
dent and consequent [in the context which precedes and that
which follows]. He says, if I reprove you, you take it well ;
if I promise for you, you perform what is promised. So he
prepares a way for himself with a view to what follows in viii. 1
and X. 1, where the very word 6ap^!o, I have confidence, is re-
sumed. — h iiu,T\i, in you) on your account.
CHAPTER VIII.
1. Tvupif^o/j,iv, we make known) This exhortation is inserted in
this passage, which is extremely weU suited to the purpose, and,
after the preceding very sweet declaration of mutual love, with
which it is connected by the mention of Titus ; it is also set
before them according to the order of Paul's journey, that the
epistle may afterwards terminate in a graver admonition. More-
over the exhortation itself, even to the Corinthians, in respect to
whom the apostle might have used the authority of a father, is
even most especially liberal and evangelical. — d^v %af /k, the grace)
When anything is well done, there is grace to those, who do
it, and also grace to those, to whom it is done. This word
here is of frequent occurrence, ver. 4, 6, 7, 9, 19 ; ch. ix.
8, 14.
2. 0X;4'£ws, of distress (pressurse) \of affliction']) joined to
poverty, ver. 13, SXi-^ig, a burden of distress. — 'jripiaeiia xal
'rrru^eia,, abundance and poverty) An oxymoron and hendiadys
pleasantly interwoven. — Karcb fidku;) Bdhus is the genitive,
governed by xara : comp. xara, Matt. viii. 32 : also E. Schmid.,
2 John, ver. 3. He quotes his own syntax of Greek particles,
an excellent hodk.—d-jrXSrtjTos, of [liberality] simplicity) Sha-
plicity renders men liberal, ch. ix. 11 [aTXoVjjra, which Engl. V.
renders bountifulnessj.
•too 2 CORINTHIANS VIII. 3-6.
3. "Or;, because) Anaphora with epitasis.' — /iaprvpZ, I bear
witness) This expression has respect to the words, xar&, accordr-
ing to, and ffaf a, beyond. — avdalperoi) of their own accord ; not
only not being besought, but they themselves beseeching us.
See the following verse.
4. A£0|(i£K);, beseeching [praying']) They had been affectionately
admonished by Paul, not to do beyond their power. The Mace-
donians on the other hand besought [prayed], namely, that their
gift might be received. — rfiv ya^n xal rriv xoivuivlav,^ grace and
fellowship^) a Hendiadys.
5. "ESuxciv, they gave) This word mamtains the whole struc-
ture of the paragraph in the following sense : Not only have
they given grace and a proof of fellowship, or 5o|U,a, that gift,
but they have altogether given their own selves. So Chrysos-
tom, Homil. xvi. on 2 Cor. ; comp. especially Homil. xvii., where
he repeats vmp duva/nv sSwzav. The nominatives al6a!piroi, Sio-
(iimi are connected with the same verb 'idaxav ; and the accusa-
tives x"?"? xoimviav, iauToig, depend upon it, in an easy and
agreeable sense. The transcribers have thrust in ds^acSai rjfi&g
after ayiou; ; and those who consider these words as Paul's, give
themselves great trouble, especially Beza. Different commen-
tators have used different glosses, which are quite superfluous. — ■
•^rpSiTov, first) their own selves, before [in preference and prece-
dency to] their gift ; comp. Eom. xv. 16. — rp Kuplu, to the Lord)
Christ. — xa,i iifuv dia kXri/iaros ©sou, and to US by the will of God)
It is therefore called the grace of God, ver. 1. The Macedonians
did not of themselves previously determine the amount of the
gift, but left that to the disposal of the apostle.
6. E/'s) Not the end, but the consequence is intended [" inso-
much that"]. — -/.aSSig jxJi- Se
purposeth beforehand : grudgingly : from necessity : cheerful ;
Four expressions, of which the first and third, the second and
fourth are opposed to each other.^lg avayxjjs, from necessity) on
this account only, that he cannot refuse. — iXaphv, cheerful) like
God, Prov. xxii. 9, lxx., avdpa, IXaphv xa! fioVjji/ aya'j^ (Alex.
ivXoyef) Qihg, God loves a cheerful man and a cheerful giver
(Alex, blesses, instead of loves).
8. Tlaeav x°-f'h '^^^ grace) even in external goods.: — wepiesi^eai,
to render abundant) even while you bestow. — iVa, that) What is
given to us is so given and we have it, not that we may have,
but that we may do well therewith. All things in this life, even
rewards, are seeds to behevers for the fiiture harvest. — alrapxemv,
sufficiency) that you may not require another's liberality. To
this is to be referred the bread, ver. 10. — ayaSh, good) in regard
to the needy. To this the seed is to be referred, ver. 10.
9. '^(fxopmsiv. He hath dispersed) a generous word; to disperse
[scatter] with full hand, without anxious thought, in what direc-
tion every grain may fall. There is also a metonymy,^ hath dis-
persed [scattered], i.e., he always has, what he may disperse
[scatter]. Indeed in Ps. cxii. 9 it is a part of the promise. —
i} dixaioeuvrt aurov, his righteousness) righteousness, i.e., beneficence;
1 Ploce, where a word is used, as sixoy/os here, first in the simple sense,
then to express some attribute of it. — See Append. — Ed.
' Here the substitution of the consequent for the antecedent. — Ed.
2 CORINTHIANS IX. 10-12. 407
see the next verse. The latter Is marked in its strict sense.
Righteousness is something more. — /isve;, remains) unexhausted,
uneffaced, unfailing.
10. 'O is) God. — eviyppi/iym, He tJiat supplies, or ministereth)
There is [implied an] ahimdance, inasmuch as seed is given ;
bread, which is a necessary, is therefore given first. Paul hints,
that, in the promise of the seed, which is denoted by the verb he
hath dispersed, the promise of bread also is presupposed ; but he
adds more : for there is in the text a Chiasmus ;^ God, who pre-
sents seed to the sower, will supply and multiply your seed : God,
who gives bread for food, will increase the fruits [produce] of
your righteousness, which feeds the soul. Eighteousness is the
food of the soul. Matt. v. 6 ; Vi. 31, 33. — Ivi-xfipriyini, to supply, or
administer, is emphatic ; but yVers. loses this antithesis by rendering both verbs, / beseecli],
— bi&, by) A motive equally applicable to Paul and the Cor-
inthians. — Tpcforrin; xal sviiixilag, the meekness and gentleness)
'xpcf.orni, meekness, a virtue - more absolute : imilxeia, leniency,
gentleness, is more in relation to others. Each of these is the
true source of even his severest admonitions [and ought to be
so in ours also]. — tou Xpiand, of Christ^) This signifies, that he
did not derive his meekness from nature. Or else, dia, by, is
used as at Eom. xii. 1 [I beseech you by the mercies of God],
so that the meekness and gentleness of Christ Himself seem to
be understood ; but the objection to this view is, that iTiilxsia,
gentleness, appears to be predicated of Christ Himself in no
other passage, and this is a usual mode of speaking with Paul,
to represent Christ as working and exerting His power in .
him and by him. Comp. the phrase, the truth of Christ [is in
me], i.e., the truth in Christ, 2 Cor. xi. 10 ; and add Phil. i. 8,
note. — OS, who) This is a pleasant mimesis or allusion to their
usual mode of speaking, ver. 10, a figure which is also here
repeated more than once in the verb Xoy/^o/ia/.^ — rarrsmg)
humble [lowly. Engl. Vers., base], timid.
^ i.e. By the meekness and gentleness derived by me from Christ. — Ed.
* Aayi'^oficti, lam thouffht, Aoyurfiovs, ver. 5|; T^oyi^sada, ver. 7 and II,
all refer to the "hoyiafMl of the Corinthians (ver. 2, ?^oyi^ofiiiiaus) by Mi-
mesis. — Ed.
410 2 CORINTHIANS X. 2-5.
2. Alo^a/, T beseech) God; as at xiii. 7, or here it is, I beseech
you. Paul intimates, that, as he may beseech in his letters, so he
can nevertheless act with severity in their presence. — Xoy/^o^a/,
I am thought [but Engl. Vers., / think to be bold]) Passive as
in Eom. iv. 4, 5. — !«' nmi [against] as to, with respect to some)
construe with to he hold. — roOs Xoy/^o/iEwiuj, thinking) in the
middle voice. — ws, as if) Connect it with according to the flesh.
— x.aT&. eapxa, according to the flesh) as if they may despise us
with impunity.
3. 'Ev gapxl, in the flesh) with weakness. See the following
verse. — ''■ erparivSfitSa, we war) By this word he opens the way
for a transition to what follows ; and the reason of the boldness,
rou 6ot,pprjgai [ver. 2], is included.
4. T& y&p S'ffXa, for -the arms [weapons']) From the paternal
rod, 1 Cor. iv. 21 [shall I come unto you with a rod?], he now
proceeds to arm,s, with increasing severity ; comp. presently ver.
6 ; also 1 Cor. v. 5, 13. — ou eapxiKa, aXXSt Suvar&) not carnal and
weak, but spiritual, and therefore mighty. — rfi) ©sffi [Engl. Vers.,
" through God,"] to God) This is virtually an accusative case."
So ch. ii. 15, to God. In like manner. Acts. vii. 20; in the
same way as the preposition ^ is used as a prefix, Jonah iii. 3
[an exceeding great .city, " lit. a city of God]. The power is
not ours, but of God. The efficacy of the Christian teligion is
an argument of its truth. — i^upa/xdrav, of strongholds) A grand
expression. [The human understanding may here suspect in-
flated language ; but it is no common force and power, to wit, the
force and power of those things, which in the case of the soul are
brought out on both sides (both on the carnal and on the spiritual
side). — V. g.]
5. Aoyis/j.ous [imaginations, reasonings] thoughts) those very-
thoughts of which he speaks, ver. 2.' — xa6aipo\Jvreg, casting down)
This expression might be construed with ver. 3, but it rather
depends on ver. 4, the pulling down [x,a6aipeeiv]. Again, the
' 'Ec aapxl — oil x«tjJ trxpua, inihe flesh — not according to the flesh) There
is a great difference. — Y. g.
" As the Accus. is often used adverbially, forming an adverbial epithet.
—Ed.
' AoyiiT/Mvs alludes, by Mimesis, to the Corinthians, roi); Xoyi^ofuvav!,
etc., ver. 2.— Ed.
2 COEINTHIANS X. 6, 7. 411
nominative is used for an otlique case, as in ch. ix. 13, note. —
■irav v-^tii/ia, every high thing) Thoughts is the species ; high thina,
the genus. He does not say, %-^oi ; comp. Eom. viii. 39, note.^ —
irraipS/ievov, exalting itself) like a wall and a rampart. — xarA 5-^5
yvueiu; rou ©eoD, against the knowledge of God) True knowledge
makes men humble [attributing all power to GoD alone. — V. g.J
Where there is exaltation of self, there the knowledge of God is
wanting. — a/';^;/iaX&)r/^ow-ES ^rav iio>j/*a) Nd>]|U.a implies the faculty
of the mind, voog, of which Xoyie/iol, the thoughts, are the acts.
The latter, hostile in [of] themselves, are east down ; the former
vanquished and taken captive is wont to surrender itself, so
that it necessarily and willingly tenders the obedience of faith
to Christ the conqueror, having laid aside all its own authority,
even as a slave entirely depends on the will of his master.
6. 'Ev iToifiiu) e^ovreg) viz., tjf/'ai, he says. We are ready [having
ourselves in readiness]. We have zeal already; and it will
be brought forth into action at the proper time. — -jraaav, all) This
has a more extensive meaning than i/mv, your, presently after.
— orav, when) lest the weaker should be injured,^ ver. 8. This
is the principal point of pastoral prudence. [Paul had already
done something of this sort at Corinth, Acts xviii. 7. On a
similar principle, GoD exercises so great long-suffertng as lie
does, in regard to an immense multitude of wicked men, till those
things which can be gained thereby, Jiave been drawn forth. See
Exod. xxxii. 34. — V. g.]
7. Ta x.aTa vpoecamv /SXeitete, do you look on the things accord-
ing to the face [outward appearance^) The error of the Corin-
thians is noticed and refdted generally, ver. 7-9 : then, having
been specially detailed, it is specially refuted, ver. 10, 11.
Therefore [ver. 7] let him think this [ver. 11], is repeated. —
xaT& vpodeairov, after the face [outward appearance^) ver. 1. In
antithesis to, by letters, ver. 9. He says, I can act with severity
face to face [as well as by letters: ^pieumv being opposed to
It/otoXcDv]. — £/' rii) if any one of you. — vivaikv) visoUriSis and
-iriieoiSa,, have been hitherto variously used by Paul in this epistle,
ver. 2, etc. — ajf (s] of a remarkable description, to which the after-extenuation
[smhpa'ffiia] at xii. 11 corresponds. — fiaxphv, a little) The anti-
1 Made ready for an occasion. But eroifitc in a state of readiness, habi-
tually ready .-^Ed.
2 See App., under the tit. Epitherapia.
3 See App., under the tit. Tlpohpxwhcc. Here, an anticipatory apology
for what he is about to say, which might seem inconsistent with modesty on
his part.
416 2 CORINTHIANS XI. 2, 3.
thesis is found at ver. 4, 20. — rfi affoeuvri, in my folly) He gives
it this appellation, before that he explains it, and by that very
circumstance gains over the Corinthians. This is a milder word
than iLOifio.} — anyieh, hearwitJi) The imperative ; comp. ver. 16.
2. ZjjXw yii^, for I am jealous) In this and the following verse
the cause of his folly is set before us : for lovers seem to be out
of their wits.^ The cause of the forbearance due to Paul is ex-
plained ver. 4, comp. ver. 20. — ©eoD if^Xw, with a godly jealousy)
a great and holy jealousy. [If I am immoderate, says he, I am
immoderate to God. — ^V. g.] — rip//,ogd/iriv, I have espoused) There
is an apposition, to one husband, viz. Christ, and both are con-
strued with, that I may present you [viz. to one husband, Christ\.
Therefore I espoused is put absolutely. [But Engl. V. I have
espoused you to one husband^ Moreover apiLbS^o/ia,!, I espouse,
is usually applied to the bridegroom. But here Paul speaks of
himself in the same feeling of mind as when he ascribes to him-
self ' jealousy,' which belongs properly to the husband ; for all
that he felt, and all that he did, was for the sake of Christ. —
■jtapSivov ayvfiv, a chaste virgin) not singly [the individual members],
but conjointly [the whole body together]. He does not say,
chaste virgins, -rrapShoug ayvag.
3. 0|8oC/4a/, I fear) Such fear is not only not contrary to love,
but it is a property of love, ch. xii. 20, 19. [All jealousy doubt-
less arises from fear. — V. g.] — &e, but) This is opposed to, l have
espoused. — oig, as) a very apposite comparison. — Euav, Eve) who
was simple and unacquainted with evil. — -jravovpylif, through suh-
tilty) which is most inimical to simplicity. — ourws, so) The saints,
even though original sin were entirely quiescent, may be
tempted. — f^apr}, should be corrupted) Having lost their virgin
' "A0paii, according to Tittmann (Syn. New Testament), is one who does not
rightly use his mental powers. Paul, in ver. 16, calls himself a.(ppuii, be-
cause after the manner of men he boasted if xi». ' Atppwiiiti, ' insipientia,' is applied to what
is senseless., imprudent, ex. gr. rashness in spealcing, Mark vii. 22. But
Map'ioi,, ' stultitia,' folly of a perverse and often of a wicked kind, Matt. v.
22 Ed.
^ The Latin words are, " amantes enim videntur amentes," which cannot
be imitated in a translation. — T.
2 CORINTHIANS XI. 4. 417
puiity. Seducers threatened the Corinthians ; see next verse.
An abbreviated mode of expression for, May be corrupted and
drawn from their simplicity. — a,iiX6Tr\Tog, the simplicity) which is
intent on one object, and most tender ; which seeks not another
[Jesus ; aXkov] nor a different [Spirit : srs^oii, second and diffe-
rent\, ver. 4.
4. E/, if) He lays down a condition, on the part of the real
fact, which is impossible; he therefore says in the imperfect,
you might tolerate it [but as the condition is impossible, you
ought not tolerate it] ; but as regards the attempt of the false
apostles, not only is the condition laid down possible, but is
actually realized and present. He therefore says in the present,
preacheth [not Imperf, as, rivilxiah, Ye might tolerate it] ; comp.
Gal. i. 6, 7. — yap) The reason of Paul's fear was the yielding
character of the Corinthians. — 6 £f>^6/j,ivog, he that cometh) any
one ; out of Judea, if you please ; Gen. xlii. 5, tjXSov //.ira tSiv
ip^o/iimv, they came with those that came. [He already states, what
the Corinthians were in duty bound to allow to be stated, ver. 1. —
V. g.] — aXkor eripov, another — a different) These words are
different from each other. See Acts iv. 12, note. &XXov sepa-
rates [from the true person] by a far less definite boundary here
than iTifov} — o\i% sXa.j3iTs, ye have not received. — ou^t kbi^ash, ye
have not accepted) Distinct words, well suited to the respective
subjects ; the will of man does not concur in ' receiving' [Xa^
^auTi — IXa/Ssrs] the Spirit, as in ' accepting' [Ide^aeSs] the
Gospel.^ — J) iiiayyiXiov sripoi/, or another gospel) The words, if
there be, or, if you receive, are appropriately [for convenience'
sake] left to be understood. — xuXuq ^nei^fdSi, you might well
bear with) This forbearance, as being likely to lead to cor-
ruption [ver. 3], is, not approved, but the word, with xaXug,
is used as at Mark vii. 9. The fulness [saturitas, fulness to
satiety^ of the Corinthians is noticed, and their eagerness for
1 "A7i?iof, according to Tittmann, denotes another, without regard to any
diversity or difference, save that of number. "Enpos indicates not merely
another, but also one different. "Enpo;, according to Ammonius, is said sx/
ovoiv in the case of two ; eiXhog, M TrTie/oynii/ in the case of more than two. — Ed.
' The Engl. V. has happily expressed the distinction by ' received,' £?i«-
/3eT£, of a thing in receiving which we are passive, and which is not dependent
on our will : ' accepted,' lli^outk of that, the receiving of which is at our own
will ; to receive to one's self, to accept, to welcome. — ^Ed.
VOL. III. n «
its 2 CORINTHIANS XI. 5, 6.
a more novel and splendid Christianity, if any such was to be
found.
5. T&p, for) The particle connecting the discussion with the
proposition [the subject he proposed to discuss]. The sum of
Paul's boasting is here stated and repeated, ch. xii. 11. — ruv
wjripXmv, the very chief est) such as James, Kephas, John [distin-
guished for their high privilege in being ivitnesses of the transfigura-
tion of Jesus. — ^V. g.], or even the other survivors of the twelve.
Gal. ii. 2, not merely such as those, who are called apostles in a
wider sense, i.e. I am as much an apostle as he who is most so.
Peter has no title to any preference. [Acts xxvi. 13, 16 ; Gal.
i. 16.]
6. E/, if) He proves himself to be an apostle, 1. from his
knowledge worthy of an apostle ; 2. from his self-denial in
refraining from asking them for maintenance, ver. 7, 8. He
makes by anticipation a way to himself for stating both of these
facts, so that the necessity of stating them may be clearly seen.
— IdiuiTrig, rude) This word is opposed to his apostolic eminence
[ver. 5]. His detractors spoke of Paul as ' rude' [untutored].
He declares that he was not rude in knowledge, which was the
first gift of an apostle : and an extraordinary instance of it is
found in the next chapter. That he was rude in speech, he
neither very strongly denies, since that was not injurious to the
apostleship, nay, it conduced to its advantage, 1 Cor. i. 17,
etc. : nor does he confess it M'ith greater prolixity [at greater
length] than his power in speaking allowed ; nor does he an-
swer, that other apostles also may be considered rude in speech,
but he leaves the matter undetermined, comp. ch. x. 10, 11, and
to be decided by the Corinthians themselves ; for he adds : but
we have been made manifest to you in all things, etc. [He therefore
removes out of the way one after another of those things, which the
Corinthians opposed to his prerogative as an apostle. — V. g.J —
aXX' h iravrl favipooS'img h -Ttaaiv ilg if/jug) The Vulgate has, but
we are manifested in all things to you,^ as if either iv wavri or ev
Tagiv were superfluous. But the two expressions have a different
meaning : iv 'xa.wl, in every thing, even in speech and know-
1 In omnibus autem manifestati sumus vobis. So also the Ante-Hierony-
mic Lat. Versions^ and the uncial MS. G. But the weight of authorities
support both in vavrl and h ivxiriv. — Ed.
2 CORINTHIANS XI. 7-12. 419
ledge ; iv itam, in all men, eh. i. 12, iii. 2, iv. 2. s\i vaai, is used
in the Masc. gend., 1 Cor. viii. 7 ; Heb. xiii. 4, and in other
places. At the same time it occurs in the Neut. gend., 1 Tim.
iii. 11, iv. 15 ; 2 Tim. ii. 7, iv. 5 ; Tit. ii. 9, 10 ; Heb. xiii. 18.
But h itawi occurs only in the Neut. gend., and that too very
often, ver. 9, eh. iv, 8, vi. 4, vii. 5, 11, 16, viii. 7, ix, 8, 11 ;
Phil. iv. 6. Therefore in this passage h iramv is masculine, ii/
Tavri neut. So Phil. iv. 12, h irawl x.al h msi /J^ifidni/^OLi. — i'lg
■jf/.&g, with respect to [among] you) From the circumstance, that
Paul was also engaged among others, the fruit redounded to the
hearts of the Corinthians.
7. "h ajha^ria^ Or have / committed a sin ? So, an objection
might be raised against that assertion of the apostle in last verse,
h -jravrl, in everything. — ra'Trnvuv, abasing myself) in my mode of
living. [He had waived his apostolic right in this matter. —
V. g.] — i'^u6riri, ye might he exalted) spiritually. — rJ rcZ ©sou
ilayyiXm, the Gospel of God) divine, most precious.
8. ''Es{i\r]Sa, I robbed) He imputes to himself the receiving of
payment, to which he was most justly entitled, as robbery, and
afterwards as sloth and a burden, comp. notes on 1 Cor. ix. 17.
This word and wages are figurative expressions derived from
military affairs. — Xa^iiv, taking wages) for my journey, when I
came to you. The antithesis is present, when I was with you
[ver. 9].
9. Xlpodaviw'Knpumav, [further] supplied in addition) A double
compound. Paul supplied something by his own manual labour.
— x.a> rnprisa, and I will keep) so far is he from repenting. — See
xii. 14.
10. "Estiv aXrihia, there is truth) The verb is emphatically put
first ; it stands [fast as the (a) truth of Christ]. The expression
refers to a special truth,* comp. Eom. ix. 1, note. — ou, not) a
metonymy or substitution of the consequent for the antecedent :
my boasting will not be stopped, i.e., I will be in no way more
burdensome to you hereafter than heretofore.
11. "Or;, because) Love is often offended even by refusing
[favours].
12. Ka! irtineoi) 1 will also still do. — sxxo-^ta, I may cut off) It
' Not to the truth in g;eneral : therefore the artifile is omitted — Kn
420 2 CORINTHIANS XI. 13-15.
did not sviit the false apostles to preach for nothing, ver. 20. —
TYiv apa.\iou ijp-jroiffSri xat si; tov irixpabiidov avrin^6r],
" and he was caught up into the third heaven, and was borne
up into paradise." Orig. or his translator, on Rom. xvi., has
these words, into the third heaven, and thence into paradise.
Oecumenius, fip-rdyri lug rpirov oupavou xa; ordX;v sxiiiiv slg rhv
■jrapabiidiiy, " he was caught up to the third heaven, and again
thence into paradise." That different revelations are mentioned
in this passage is acknowledged by Hilarius Diac. Primasius,
Anselm, Pope Gregory in Estius, as well as Jerome on Ez.
xxviii., Pelag. on this passage, Cassiodor. Haymo, Aquinas.
The occurrence of the expression, lest I should be exalted, twice,
corresponds to the fact, that he was twice caught up. Certainly
paradise, coming last in the gradation with the emphatic article,
denotes some inner recess in the third heaven, rather than the
third heaven itself; an opinion which was very generally held
by the ancients. See Gregor. Obs., c. 18 ; comp. Luke xxiii.
43, note, and Eev. ii. T. Therefore the privilege was vouch-
426 2 CORINTHIANS XII. 3.
safecl to Paul only to hear the things of paradise ; but he wias
permitted also to see the things of the third heaven ; comp. the
preceding verse ; although even of the latter he speaks some-
what sparingly. The force of the verb olba, I know, falls par-
ticularly upon the participle caught ; comp. on, how that, ver. 4.
— -apo sTuv de-ziarteadpcii]/, fourteen years ago) construed with apiror-
yivra, catcght. He recounts something that had occurred in
former times : after a long period every one seems to have
become different from himself (what he was before) ; so that he
may the more freely relate the good and evil which he has ex-
perienced. [Truly it was a long silence (he had maintained as to
the revelations to him), and yet he had been engaged (conversant)
among the Corinthians not for a short time, and was united to
them in the closest bonds of intimacy. — Y. g.] — iv au/ian, in the
body) This is without the article ; then exrbg roD aiJifhaTog, out of
the body, with the article; and so consistently with this, the
words are found in the next verse. Paul seems to be of opinion,
that he was out of the body. Howsoever this may be, Clau--
dianus Mamertus de Statu animae, c- 12, riglity concludes from
this, that the better part of man is incorporeal ; and this, the
soul itself, was the part caught up. Whatever existed, inde-
pendently of the body of Paul, was without the body, or else
within it. — oux, olba, I knoio not. Ignorance of the mode does
not take away the certain knowledge of the thing. The apostles
were ignorant of many things. — apvayiwa,- caught up) Comp.
Acts viii. 39, note. — si*o/ia;, I will glory) i.e. I might glory ;
comp. ver. 6 at the beginning.
6. Oux Uoiiai afpm, I shall not be a fool) In the preceding
chapter also he spake the truth, and yet he ascribes folly to
himself; namely, because he gloried concerning things by no
means glorious [viz. his sufferings], hence of things most glorious.
— (piiSo/jiai, I forbear) I treat of these things sparingly. — /^fi ng,
lest any one) O how many are there even among theologians,
who have no reverent dread in treating of such things ! [iVbi a
few allow themselves to be thought of both at home and abroad
more highly than is lawful; but how remarkably may they be con-
sidered as defrauding themselves in that way of a share in the
honour which is in the power of GoD. If indeed you rejoice in
428 2 CORINTHIANS XU. 7.
the privileges of the sons of God, see thai this your light may
shine, hut remember to use with caution and moderation extraor-
dinary circumstances. — V. g.] — ^Xsth- axouii, sees, hears) m com-
mon life, while I am unable to prevent it.
7. 'Im fjifi v'jripalpcii/iai, lest I should be exalted) In all the things,
which Paul did, and which rendered him great, beloved, and
admired among men, he might be less worthy of praise [elated]
than in those, of which he was alone conscious to himself. The
mind is vain and weak, which applauds itself on account of the
applause of men. The better things [the preferable objects of
desire] are within. [Sow dangerous must the exaltation of one's
self be, when the apostle required so much restraint. — V. g.] —
(TzoXo'vj/) Hesychius : exoXo'Trii;, o^'ia ^uXa opidt,, eraupoi, a sharp
pointed stake is denoted ; comp. the LXX., Num. xxxiii. 55 ;
Ez. xxviii. 24. This general word is presently explained in a
particular manner by those bvffetings : and this double explana-
tion does not require a third, variously attempted by those, who
give a wrong meaning to the buffetings. — rri eapxl, in the flesh)
The ablative case, in the flesh, for the purpose of macerating
the flesh. The same case occurs, 1 Pet. iii. 18, iv. 1, 6. This
weakness was greater than all those, which had been enumerated
in the preceding chapter, and that he might give an account of
this weakness, he considered it necessary to mention revela^
tions. — "AyyeXog SaraK, the messenger of Satan) Paul, after
having had some experience of the state of the blessed angels,
begins now to discover an angel of a different description. The
word larav Only occurs in the LXX. twice or thrice, and that too
as indeclinable ; but 'Sarams is declined in thirty-four places in
the New Testament, and among these, nine times by Paul; and in
this single passage it is used as an indeclinable noun, by a well-
weighed apocope [the loss of a syllable at the end], certainly not
without good reason. "AyyeXog larav then does not seem in this
passage to be in apposition, as if it were said the angel Satan for
the devil, for the devil is nowhere called an angel, but he him-
self has his angels. Therefore Satan is either a proper name in
the genitive or an adjective in the nominative, so that there is
denoted either an angel sent by Satan or a very destructive angel,
an angel like Satan himself or the devil, as distinguished fi'om
the fact of his being sent by Satan. The ambiguity seems to
2 CORINTHIANS XII. 7. 429
intimate, that the apostle himself, with a view to his greater
humiliation, must have been ignorant of what was the character
of this angel. He had a revelation from heaven, a chastisement
from hell. Job and Paul were harassed by an enemy : the
angel of the Lord struck Herod.^iVa /is, that me) Therefore
Paul is not the angel himself (comp. however Num. as above
quoted [wherein the Israelites are represented as making the
inhabitants of the land whom they drive not out thorns in their
sides]), but what is stated is, that the angel harassed Paul with
blows : ha, that is again elegantly placed in the middle of the
clause, that the antithesis may twice precede the particle, twice
follow it. For the excellence of the revelations and the angel of
Satan are in antithesis, and likewise to be exalted and to be
buffeted. — xoXaplZ^ji, buffet) With blows (jiiydXais afaTg ; for this
is considered the original root, by Eustathius). Slaves were
beaten, 1 Pet. ii. 20, nor is there any obstacle to its being taken
here in its proper acceptation. Job ii. 6, 7. For if the apostles
and the Lord Himself received blows and other troubles from
men, ch. xi. 24, 25 ; 1 Cor. iv. 11 ; Matt. xxvi. 67, comp. iv. 5 ;
why should not Paul receive such from Satan or his angel,
either visibly or invisibly. Such evils also befel Antony, as
Athanasius mentions in his life. Opposition of every kind came
in the way of the apostle, ver. 10, which he did not deprecate ,
but here he mentions something in particular, which harassed
him with infirmities and met [counteracted] his exaltation with
pain and disgrace, even more so or at least not less than the
rage of lust, which has been excited in the members of the body
(with which how wonderfully very holy souls may be tormented,
may be learned by reading the writings of Ephraim Syrus, of
Estius on this passage, of Joh. a Cruce and P. M. Petruccius),
or the most violent headaches. Paul had become as it were of
late afi-aid of the recurring attacks of these blows, inasmuch
as he restrains himselif in the time of boasting with such fi-e-
quency as a reader in his natural state would despise and of
which he would be weary. Chrysostom remarks, that Paul
says xoXacpi^ji, that it may buffet, not xoXav xau^rieo//,ai,
I will rather glory) in my infirmities, than in revelations, for if
I glory in these, I shall prevent the exercise of the power of
Christ. He adds the pronoun to the former, not to the latter. —
imsxtivuig-fl I'j' £^s, may cover me over) as a tent. — ex^voi, a tent, the
hody [" our earthly house of this tabernacle," ch. v. 1]. — to Jot-
ffx>)voDv, covering over, something external ; he does not say, that
it may dwell in me ; for he would thus [had he said that] diminish
the sense of his infirmities. — rj diim/Mg tou Xpientj, the power of
Christ) that is Christ with His power. We ought most gladly
to receive whatever promotes this object
10. EuSoxu, I am well contented [Engl. V. too strongly, 1 take
pleasurej) He does not say here, / rejoice, which would denote
more than he meant. — h aahvelaie, in infirmities) This is the
genus ; hence we have immediately after, I am weak ; two pairs
of species follow. — h u^pegn, Jv avayxuic, in reproaches, in neces-
sities) which also the messenger of Satan occasions. — iv bmytJboTc,
iv erimyfcopiaii, in persecutions, in distresses) which were caused
by men. — hnrkp, for the sake of) construed with ihhoxu, I am well
contented. — ron) then, in particular [then and then only]. —
bwarhi, strong) in the power of Christ.
11. T'eyova, I am become) He sounds a retreat. — linpuXov, I
ought) An interchange of persons, i.e., you ought to have cony-
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