PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
Word Studies in the New Testament — Volume 3
Vincent, Marvin R., 1834-1922 · 203,474 words · 325 reading sections
Chapter I.
Deacons (dcaxovois). The word means servant, and is a gen- eral term covering both slaves and hired servants. It is thus distinct from dodX0s bond-servant. It represents a servant, not in his relation, but in his activity. In the epistles it is often used specifically for a minister of the Gospel, 1 Cor. iii. 5; 2 …
653 wordsSECTION 242Chapter I.
larger sense of sympathetic codperation, yet it is no doubt colored by the other idea, in view of the Philippians’ pecuniary contributions to Paul. See ch. iv. 10, 15, 16. In the Gospel (els Td evayyérov). Lit., wnto the Gospel : Rev., in furtherance of. 6. Being confident (zeroes). With a slightly causative forc…
666 wordsSECTION 243Chapter I.
Furtherance (zpoxomy). Only here, ver. 25, and 1 Tim. iv. 15. The metaphor is uncertain, but is supposed to be that of pioneers cutting (xomrw) a way before (mpd) an army, and so furthering its march. The opposite is expressed by éyxémt@ to cut into ; hence to throw obstacles in the way, hinder. Gal. v. 7. See on …
650 wordsSECTION 244Chapter I.
In all other places (rots Aosrots wacw). Rev., correctly, to all the rest ; that is, to all others besides the Praetorians. 14. Many (rovs wAedovas). Rev., correctly, the most. Lit., the more. Implying that there were a few who held back. Brethren inthe Lord. Jn the Lord should be rather con- nected with being con…
683 wordsSECTION 245Chapter I.
18. What then? Such being the case, how does it affect me ? Notwithstanding (Av). Read adv ote except that. Rey., only that. What is my feeling in view of these things? Only that I rejoice that Christ is preached. In pretence. With a spirit of envy and faction, possibly with a counterfeited zeal for truth. 19. T…
746 wordsSECTION 246Chapter I.
23. | am in a strait betwixt two (cuvéyouat &x Ttav Sv0). See on 2 Cor. v. 14. The picture is that of a man pressed on both sides. Lit., Zam held together, so that 1 cannot incline Cu. L] THE EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS. 495 either way. Betwixt two, lit., from the two. The pressure comes from both sides. Note the a…
653 wordsSECTION 247Chapter I.
Ve stand fast (ctyxere). Compare Eph. vi. 13; 2 Thess. li. 15. For the verb, see on John i. 26; viii. 44. Spirit—mind (rvevpwatt—apvyp). See on Rom. viii. 4; xi. 3. Striving together for the faith (cuvaddodvtes TH mlores). The verb occurs only here and ch. iv. 3. The figure is that of an athletic contest, and is i…
527 wordsSECTION 248Chap Thrail
1. Therefore. Paul has spoken, in ch. i. 26, of the Philip- pians’ joy in his presence. Their joy is to find expression in duty—in the fulfilment of their obligations as members of the christian commonwealth, by fighting the good fight of faith and cheerfully appropriating the gift of suffering (ch. i. 27-29). Ver…
684 wordsSECTION 249Chap Thrail
Lowliness of mind (razrewvodpocdvn). See on Matt. xi. 29. 4, Look (cxozodytes). Attentively: fixing the attention upon, with desire for or interest in. So Rom. xvi. 17; Philip. ili. 17; 2 Cor.iv.18. Hence often to aim at; compare cxorés the mark, ch. iti. 14. The participles esteeming and looking are used with the…
680 wordsSECTION 250Chap Thrail
Paul does not then say, as A. V., that Christ ded not think at robbery to be equal with God: for, 1, that fact goes without saying in the previous expression, being in the form of God. 2. On this explanation the statement is very awkward. Christ, being in the form of God, did not think it robbery to be equal with …
739 wordsSECTION 251Chap Thrail
Vou. III.—28 A434 WORD STUDIES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT. [Cu. IL men, He was like themselves, with a real likeness; but this like- ness to men did not express His whole self. The totality of Tlis being could not appear to men, for that involved the form of God. Hence the apostle views Him solely as He could ap- pear …
656 wordsSECTION 252Chap Thrail
Hath highly exalted (i7eptwoev). Lit., exalted above. Compare Matt. xxiii. 12. Hath given (éyapicato). Sreely bestowed, even as Jesus freely offered Himself to humiliation. Aname. Rev., correctly, the name. This expression is differently explained: either the particular name given to Christ, as Jesus or Lord ; or…
761 wordsSECTION 253Chap Thrail
Fear and trembling. Compare 2 Cor. vii. 15; Eph. vi. 5. Not slavish terror, but wholesome, serious caution. ‘ This fear is self-distrust; it is tenderness of conscience; it is vigi- lance against temptation ; it is the fear which inspiration op- poses to high-mindedness in the admonition ‘be not high- minded but f…
656 wordsSECTION 254Chap Thrail
In the world. Connect with ye are seen, not with lumin- aries. The world, not only material, but moral. For the moral sense of kécpos world, see on John i. 9. 16. Holding forth (éréyovres). The verb means literally to hold upon or apply. Uence to fix attention upon, as Luke xiv. 7; Acts iii. 5; 1 Tim. iv. 16. In A…
670 wordsSECTION 255Chap Thrail
Messenger (azdcrodov). The same word as apostle, one sent with a commission. He that ministered (Aectovpyov). Kindred with Xectoupyla service, in ver. 17. Rev., minister. 26. Was full of heaviness (7v ddnyovadv). Rev., was sore troubled. Used of Christ in Gethsemane, Matt. xxvi. 27. 27. Sorrow upon sorrow (Avmny …
258 wordsSECTION 256Cha Ptet Whi.
1. Finally (76 Aoumev). Lit., for the rest. Frequent in Paul’s writings in introducing the conclusions of his letters. See 1 Thess. iv. 1; 2 Thess. iii. 1; 2 Cor. xiii. 11, note. Evidently Paul was about to close his letter, when his thought was directed into another channel—the Judaizing teachers, and their at- t…
650 wordsSECTION 257Cha Ptet Whi.
Evil workers. Compare deceitful workers, 2 Cor. xi. 18. Concision (catatounyv). Only here in the New Testament. The kindred verb occurs in the Septuagint only, of mutilations forbidden by the Mosaic law. See Lev. xxi. 5. The noun here is a play upon wrepitoun circumcision. It means mutila- tion. Paul bitterly char…
669 wordsSECTION 258Cha Ptet Whi.
The law. The Mosaic law. See on Rom. ii. 12. The va- lidity of that law was the principle upheld by the Judaizers. A Pharisee. See Acts xxiii.6; Gal.i.14. Compare on the whole verse, 2 Cor. xi. 22. 6. Zeal. Ironical. Blameless (yevouevos dweumrtos). The A. V. does not render the participle, proven or found. Rev.,…
693 wordsSECTION 259Cha Ptet Whi.
Fellowship of His sufferings. Participation in Christ’s sufferings. See Matt. xx. 22, 23; and on Col.i. 24. Compare 2 Cor. i. 5; 1 Pet. iv. 13. Faith makes a believer one with a suffering Christ. Being made conformable (cuppopgufopuevos). Explaining the previous clause: by my becoming conformed, ete. Rev., becomi…
674 wordsSECTION 260Cha Ptet Whi.
Reaching forth (ézrexrewdpevos). Only here in the New Testament. "Ez direction, after; é« forth; reivw to stretch. Rev., stretching forward. The metaphor is that of the foot- race. Bengel says: “The eye outstrips and draws onward the hand, and the hand the foot.” 14. Toward the mark (xara cxordv). Rev., goal. Bear…
556 wordsSECTION 261Mark (cxozretre). See on looking, ch. ii. 4.
So as (otTws xaos). Rev., “which so walk even as ye have,” etc. The two words are correlative. Briefly, cmitate me and those who follow my example. 18. Many walk. No word is supplied describing the char- acter of their walk; but this is brought out by enemies of the A452 WORD STUDIES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT. [Cu. III…
693 wordsSECTION 262Mark (cxozretre). See on looking, ch. ii. 4.
That it may be fashioned like (els To yevéoIar aio cvp- popgov). The words that it may be, or become, are omitted from the correct Greek text, so that the strict rendering is the body of our humiliation conformed, etc. The words are, how- ever, properly inserted in A. V. and Rev. for the sake of perspicuity. Rev.,…
367 wordsSECTION 263Chapter 1 V.
1. Longed for (ézrurddntor). Only here in the New Testa- ment. Compare J long for you, ch. i. 8; and for kindred words see 2 Cor. vii. 7; Rom. xv. 28. Joy and crown (yapa xal orépavos). Nearly the same phrase occurs 1 Thess. ii. 19. The Philippian converts are his chaplet of victory, showing that he has not run in…
776 wordsSECTION 264Chapter 1 V.
*See Farrar, in ‘‘ The Expositor,” first series, x., 24; and ‘‘Life of Paul,” ii., 435. Cu, IV.] THE EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS. 45% Clement of this epistle has been very generally abandoned. The latter was probably a Philippian. Other (7av Aourav). Rev., correctly, the rest. Book of life. The phrase occurs seven…
711 wordsSECTION 265Chapter 1 V.
Cu. IV.] THE EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS. 459 Pure (dyvd). See on 1 John iii. 3. Lovely (pocgiAy). Only here in the New Testament. Adapted to excite love, and to endear him who does such things. Of good report (ev¢nua). Only here in the New Testa- ment. Lit., sownding well. The kindred verb is commonly used in an…
644 wordsSECTION 266Chapter I.
2. Colossae. The form of the name appears to have been both olossai and Kolassai, the former being probably the earlier. The city was in Phrygia, in the valley of the Lycus, about ten or twelve miles beyond Laodicaea and Hierapolis. The region is voleanic, and the earthquakes common to large portions of Asia Mino…
733 wordsSECTION 267Chapter I.
Laid up (aroxemévnv). Lit., lazd away, as the pound in the napkin, Luke xix. 20. With the derivative sense of reserved or awaiting, as the crown, 2 Tim. iv. 8. In Heb. ix. 27, it is rendered appointed (unto men to die), where, however, the sense is the same: death awaits men as something lard up. Rev., in margin, …
651 wordsSECTION 268Chapter I.
Pray—desire (rpocevyéuevor—airovpevor). The words occur together in Mark xi. 24. The former is general, the latter special. Rev. make request is better than desire. The A. V. renders indiscriminately ask and desire. Rev. alters desire to ask. Desire in the sense of ask occurs in Shakspeare and Spenser. Knowledge …
672 wordsSECTION 269Chapter I.
Kingdom. Hence God’s kingdom is in the present, no less than in heaven. See on Luke vi. 20. Of His dear Son (rod viod tis aydrns avtod). Lit., of the Son of His love. So Rev. The Son who is the object of His love, and to whom, therefore, the kingdom is given. See Ps. ii. 7,8; Heb. i. 3-9. It is true that love is t…
677 wordsSECTION 270Chapter I.
16. By him (év attd). Rev., in Him. In is not instrument- al but local ; not denying the instrumentality, but putting the fact of creation with reference to its sphere and centre. Jn Cu. 1] THE EPISTLE TO THE COLOSSIANS. 469 Him, within the sphere of His personality, resides the creative will and the creative ener…
755 wordsSECTION 271Chapter I.
* On the Jewish and Judaeo-Christian speculations concerning the grades of the celestial hierarchy, see Lightfoot’s note on this passage. Cx. L] THE EPISTLE TO THE COLOSSIANS. 471 17. He is (autos éorw). Both words are emphatic. “Eorw zs, is used as in John viii. 58 (see note), to express Christ’s ab- solute exist…
735 wordsSECTION 272Chapter I.
* See, however, Meyer’s note on the variation of the Septuagint from the Hebrew in this rendering. Cu. LJ THE EPISTLE TO THE COLOSSIANS. 473 Him, etc.* Rev., it was the good pleasure of the Father. Fulness, Rev., correctly, the fulness. See on Rom. xi. 12; John i. 16. The word must be taken in its passive sense— …
678 wordsSECTION 273Chapter I.
To reconcile (amoxatadvdEa). Only here, ver. 21, and Eph. ii. 16. The connection is: 2¢ was the good pleasure of the Father (ver. 19) to reconcile. The compounded preposition azro gives the force of back, hinting at restoration to a primal unity. So, in Eph. ii. 12-16, it occurs as in ver. 21, in connection with a…
704 wordsSECTION 274Chapter I.
Moved away (neraxwovpevor). The present participle sig- nifying continual shifting. Compare 1 Cor. xv. 58. To every creature (év don xtice). Rev., correctly, in all creation. See on 2 Cor. v. 17, and compare ver. 15. 24. Who now. Omit who. ow is temporal: in the midst of my imprisonment and sufferings, after havin…
666 wordsSECTION 275Chapter I.
To fulfil (wAnpdcas). Fully discharge my office, so that the divine intent shall be fully carried out in the preaching of the Gospel to the Gentiles no less than to the Jews. Compare Sully preached, Rom. xv. 19. 26. The mystery. See on Rom. xi. 25. The kindred word pepvnuat I have been initiated (A. V., instructed…
665 wordsSECTION 276Chapter I.
28. Warning (vovSeTotvtes). Rev., admonishing. See on Acts xx. 81. Compare vovderia admonition, Eph. vi. 4. Every. Thrice repeated, in order to emphasize the univers- ality of the Gospel against the intellectual exclusiveness en- couraged by the false teachers. For similar emphatic repeti- tions of ald or every, c…
641 wordsSECTION 277Chapter I.
1. | would that ye knew (9é\@ tuas etdévar). Paul’s more usual form of expression is, 7 would not have you to be ignor- ant. See on Rom. i. 13. What great conflict | have (7Aixkov dyava éyw). Rev., how greatly I strive. “Hdtxov what great, only here and Jas. iii. 5. Conflict, continuing the metaphor of ch.i. 29. H…
678 wordsSECTION 278Chapter I.
5. Order (rd£w). Or orderly array. A military metaphor, quite possibly suggested by Paul’s intercourse with the soldiers in his confinement. See on Philip. i. 13. Steadfastness (ctepéwua). Only here in the New Testa- ment. See on 1 Pet. v.9. The kindred adjective o7epeos solid, occurs 2 Tim. ii. 19; Heb. v.12; 1 P…
728 wordsSECTION 279Chapter I.
After the tradition. Connect with the whole phrase phz- osophy and vain deceit, as descriptive of its source and subject- matter. Others connect with make spoil. The term is espe- cially appropriate to the Judaeo-Gnostic teachings in Colossae, which depended for their authority, not on ancient writings, but on tra…
665 wordsSECTION 280Chapter I.
11. Not made with hands. Compare Mark xiv. 58; 2 Cor. v. 1. In allusion to the literal circumcision insisted on by the false teachers. In the putting off (ev 77 amexdvcer). Only here in the New Testament; and the kindred verb dmexdvopat to put off, only ver. 15 and ch. iii. 9. The verb éxdvouai means to strip off …
668 wordsSECTION 281Chapter I.
14. Blotting out (éfarelas). See on Acts iii. 19: com- pare Apoe. iii. 5. The simple verb ade/pw means to anoint, see on John xi. 2. Hence to besmear. The compounded preposi- tion €€ means completely. The compound verb here is used by Thucydides of whitewashing a wall; 1 Chron. xxix. 4, of over- laying walls with …
758 wordsSECTION 282Chapter I.
492 WORD STUDIES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT. [Cu. IL tion, is touched upon by Paul in Gal. iii. 19 sqq.; 2 Cor. iii, 12 sqq.; Heb. ii. 2. . He made a show of them (édevyydticev). Only here and Matt. i. 19, see note. The compound rrapadevyparivw to expose to public infamy, is found Heb, vi. 6; and Seiya example, in Jude…
855 wordsSECTION 283Chapter I.
494. WORD STUDIES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT, [Cu. II. In respect (ev péper). See on 2 Cor. iii. 10. Lit., an the di- vision or category. i Holyday (€op7fs). Festival or feast-day. The annual fes- tivals. The word holyday is used in its earlier sense of a sacred day. New moon (vouynvias). Only here in the New Testament…
654 wordsSECTION 284Chapter I.
* Which is excluded by Meyer and Dwight. + The argument that it is not borne out by New-Testament usage is some- what weakened in the case of an epistle which bristles with novel expressions. There are seventeen words in this chapter which occur nowhere else in the New Testament. 496 WORD STUDIES IN THE NEW TESTAM…
700 wordsSECTION 285Chapter I.
20. Ye be dead (azeJdvere). Rev., more correctly, ye died ; the aorist tense indicating a definite event. Paul uses the word died in many different relations, expressing that with which * See the very interesting illustrations from Aristotle in Lightfoot. Vou, III.—82 A98 WORD STUDIES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT. [Cu. IL…
669 wordsSECTION 286Chapter I.
Will-worship (éIceAoIpnoxeia). Only here in the New Test- ament. Worship self-imposed or volunteered. Similar com- pounds of é3édw to will sometimes carry the meaning of pre- tence, unreality ; as éIedoxwpos pretending deafness ; édedo- p7xtop a pretentious orator. Augustine makes hybrid Latin compounds, as thelod…
373 wordsSECTION 287Chapter Iti.
1. Be risen (cuvnyépSnte). Rev., correctly, were raised. See ch. ii. 12. In their baptism in which they déed (ch. ii. 20). Compare Rom. vi. 2 sqq. Sitteth (€orw xaSjuevos). According to the A. V. the lit- eral rendering would be @s s¢tting. /s, however, must be taken separately; where Christ is, seated. Seated is …
659 wordsSECTION 288Chapter Iti.
Is renewed (avaxawovtuevor). Rev., better, giving the force of the present participle, is being renewed : in process of con- tinuous renewal. The word xawds new, which enters into the composition of the verb, gives the idea of guality. Compare 2 Cor. iv. 16, and the contrast in Eph. iv. 22. In knowledge (eis éréyv…
666 wordsSECTION 289Chapter Iti.
Charity. See on 1 Cor. xiii. 1. Bond of perfectness (ctvdecpuos ris tedXevdTnTOs). Love embraces and knits together all the virtues. Tedewrns perfect- ness is a collective idea, a result of combination, to which bond is appropriate. Compare Plato: “But two things cannot be held together without a third; they must …
686 wordsSECTION 290Chapter Iti.
In the Lord. Connect with 7s jitéing, and compare wedl- pleasing in the Lord, ver. 20. 19. Be not bitter (41) wixpaiveode). Lit., be not embittered. Used only here by Paul. Elsewhere only in the Apocalypse. The compounds vrapamrixpaivw to ewasperate, and tapamuixpac- pos provocation, occur only in Heb. iii. 16 ; i…
688 wordsSECTION 291Chapter Iv.
1. Masters, etc. The best texts attach this verse to the pre- ceding chapter. Render (zrapéyecJe). The Greek implies on your part. Equal (77 icornta). Lit., the equality. Not equality of condition, but the brotherly equality growing out of the Christ- ian relation in which there is neither bond nor free. See on P…
652 wordsSECTION 292Mark. See on Philem. 24.
9. Onesimus. See on Philem. 10. The faithful and beloved brother. Whom the Colossians had known only as the worthless, runaway slave. See Philem. ch BES 10. Aristarchus, my fellow-prisoner. See on Philem. 23, 24. Unnecessary difficulty is made over the fact that the term fellow-prisoner is applied to Epaphras in …
700 wordsSECTION 293Mark. See on Philem. 24.
* The Phrygian mother of the gods, known elsewhere as Rhea. Her worship in Phrygia was so general that there is scarcely a town on the coins of which she does not appear. She was known also as the great Mother, Cybebe, Agdistis, Berecyntia, Brimo, the Great Idaean Mother of the gods, and Dindy- mene. Her worship wa…
420 wordsSECTION 294The Epistle To Philemon.
1. A prisoner of Jesus Christ (8écysos). A prisoner for Christ’s sake. This is the only salutation in which Paul so styles himself. The word is appropriate to his confinement at Rome. Apostle would not have suited a private letter, and one in which Paul takes the ground of personal friendship and not of apostolic …
263 wordsSECTION 295516 Word Studies In The New Testament
2. Our beloved Apphia (Amdia 7H dyamnrp). Read rq adehpy the (our) sister. Commonly supposed to have been Philemon’s wife. The word is not the common Roman name Appia, but is a Phrygian name, occurring frequently in Phryg- ian inscriptions. It is also written Aphphia, and sometimes A phia. Archippus. Possibly the…
600 wordsSECTION 296518 Word Studies In The New Testament.
I might be much bold (odd rrappyciav éywv). Better, as Rev., J have ali boldness. SIlappnoia boldness is opposed to fear, John vii. 13; to ambiguity or reserve, John xi. 14. The idea of publicity may attach to it as subsidiary, John vii. 4. In Christ. As holding apostolic authority from Christ. That which is conve…
362 wordsSECTION 297The Epistle To Philemon. 519
helpful, and it was a common name for slaves. The same idea was expressed by other names, as Chresimus, Chrestus (useful) ; Onesiphorus (profit-bringer, 2 Tim. i. 16); Symphorus (swit- able). Onesimus was a runaway Phrygian slave, who had com- mitted some crime and therefore had fled from his master and hidden him…
363 wordsSECTION 298520 Word Studies In The New Testament.
Greek and Roman literature. Thus Aeschylus on the name of Helen of Troy, the play or pun turning on the root éd, hel, de- stroy: Helene, helenaus, helandras, heleptolis: Helen, ship-de- stroyer, man-destroyer, city-destroyer (“ Agamemnon,” 671). Or, as Robert Browning: “Helen, ship’s-hell, man’s-hell, city’s- hell…
324 wordsSECTION 299The Epistle To Philemon. 521
With me (zpos euavrov). The preposition expresses more than near or beside. It implies intercourse. See on with God, John i. 1. In thy stead (i7ép ood). Rev., correctly, in thy behalf. A beautiful specimen of christian courtesy and tact; assuming that Philemon would have desired to render these services in person…
350 wordsSECTION 300522 Word Studies In The New Testament.
He therefore departed (da tovTo éywpicdn). The A. V. misses the ingenious shading of Paul’s expression. Not only does he avoid the word ran away, which might have irritated Philemon, but he also uses the passive voice, not the middle, sep- arated himself, as an intimation that Onesimus’ flight was di- vinely order…
328 wordsSource & rights
Public domain historical edition (1887); scan/OCR from Internet Archive.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.