LXX. Again, it expresses the notion of tru-st- worthiness as an attribute of persons, or of their habitual words and deeds. Evidently, this imports something deeper than simply the truth of a particular saying or report can. This appears to be the commonest meaning in the LXX, and we can trace in this the influence of the Hebrew (e.gr. Psl8 (19) » 85 (86) '», Is 59S Jer 2-'). In Zee S^—K\-ne-^<T€T>u Tj ' lepouaa\T]fi vdXi^ i) d\ri$tvf) — there is not specially the idea of trustworthiness, but it is asserted that the character of Jerusalem should be that of a city full of truth.
ii. The New Testament.— In NT the concep- tion of ' truth,' while it retains traces of its previous biblical history, is greatly enlarged and deepened, especially in the writings of St. Paul and St. John. It will be most convenient and instructive to examine the idea separately, in the first instance, in different wTiters or groups of writings. The Synoptics and Acts will form one such croup, which will not detain us long. Next, we wiR take the Epp. of St. Paul. Epistles other than those of St. Paul and St. John may most suitably be con- sidered immediately after those of St. Paul, as their usage resembles his, on the whole, most nearly. Lastly, we will take the Johannine writ- ings ; the idea of truth in these, or, to speak more accurately, in the Gospel and the Epp., has im- portant elements in common with that in St. Paul, but there are also significant traits characteristic of each writer.
1. Synoptics and Acts. — The few instances of the occurrence of uXtiheicc and its congeners have little that is distinctive about them. It will suffice to notice (a) the use of ikr,dri to describe character, not simply speech or doctrine, Mt 2218 = Mk 12**; (6) eT" i\y,eiM and ikvOUc in the mouth of Christ (Lk 425 927 12-U), where it may be compared with His use of 'Attr,, and is probably a Greek equivalent for that word, -ind doubtless is intended to convey' the same earnestness of asseveration ; (c) ri a-XxSi^oi, of the true riches (Lk le"), where we cannot but be reminded of the use of aX,j(J<n)f in regard to the true bread, light, etc., in the Fourth Gospel, which must be considered presently.
We do not find in this group of writings any examples of »,(r-r«« used of God or Christ, or of vims as a Divine attribute.
2. Epp. of St. Pmd.—i. There are two passages (Ro 37 168) Jq which clXySuo. signifies the Divine characteristic of Jidelity. just as n^.S and n^;DN' so frequently do in OT. In the context of the former place, vv.S-Tj irnntt as an attribute of God, and the conlraat between it and human k^nrria. should be observed, also that between a-Xtitfr,! and ^iwrri^f, i^tiilita and •^lugf^x, and that which is implied between etkrfiua and (i3j«-«. .\t the same time there is ground for Cremer's remark, that the sub- stitution of aAr,fl(,a for wim; OB the argument proceeds, showi that «*.»)/?. is the word of larger meaning.
xitrrot is strikingly used by St. Paul as an epithet of God in connexion with the thought of the new pledges which God has given in Christ and through the mouth of His servants and the work of the Spirit. .See esp. 1 Co V>, 1 Th 521, also (where the reference may be more general). 1 Co lO's. 2Th 33, 2 Ti 213. The same quality of fidelity and trustworthiness is attributed, it would seem, to Christ'at 2 Co ll^o, where the a]iostle claims that this aAti^. XptffToC is reflected in himself, Chnst's servant. Cf. also Ro 91, and consider as illustrating the thought 2 Co 118 20. At Eph 421 Kt^eiic iirrn iXiSua ■> T« 'hrcu has a some- what different force (see below).
ii. But far more conmionly i\y,flij<t, generally with the def. art, prefixed, denotes not a qnalit.v of a person, Di\ine or human, but a body of doctrine, though it is always the a.si'ertained \v\\\ of God which is so designated. In Ro lis. 25 •^>i.'20 it refers to Divine truth, irajmrted to man through reason and conscrience and the lawsof nature, as well nain a more specific maimer to the Jews. But far more often St. Paul describes thereby the Divine revelation in Christ, the substance of the apostolic message, the gospel. See esp. Eph 1^3, where 'the word of the truth' is placed in apposition with ' the gospd of your salvation.' Ses also 1 Ti 3" 6=, 2 Ti 2>6 >» 38 4'', Tit l'-*, in all which places ■ th« truth ' is plainly contemplated as in some sense fonnulated. It is to be believe'd (2 Th 2'^ 13), known (1 Ti 2-' 43, 2 Ti 22S, Tit V), loved (2 Th 2io). On comparing these pa.ssage8 it must be evi- dent that i iXr,e. r. liityy. (Gal 2I>- n. Col 15) likewise means not the truthfulness of the gospel, but ' that truth which is set forth in the gospel.' At 2 Co 4* 13* also • the truth ' seems to have the same meaning.
In several passages where the def. art. is omitted, this samv object appears to be intended, and the purpose of the omission is only to lay special stress upon its character as truth (2 Co 6", Gal 6', 2 Th"218, 1 Ti 2<, 2 Ti 225 37). At 1 Ti 2' also— a.>«<r«a« itif^» it ir.trru xKi iA,i(/i;«— the riff-Tit and the i-XyMua. seem each to be the subject-matter of St. Paul's teaching presented under two different aspects. So, again, at Eph 4*.^ there is plainly a reference to knowledge tliat bu been imparted in the words