Sins (dwaprias). See on Matt. i.21. Compare debts, Matt. vi. 12.
That is indebted. Matthew’s debts appears here.
Lead (cicevéyxns). Rev. gives “ bring us not,” which, be- sides being a more accurate rendering of the word (eis, onto, dépw, to bear or bring), avoids the invidious hint of seducing or enticing which attaches to lead. James tells us that God does
860 WORD STUDIES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT. [Cu. XI.
not tempt any man (i. 13); but the circumstances of a man’s life often, indeed always, involve possibilities of temptation. A caution is written even over the door of God’s own house (Eccl. v. 1). God also sends trials to prove and chasten us; but something may change the salutary power of trial into the corrupting power of evil solicitation; and that something, as James tells us (i. 14), is our own evil desire. God tempteth no man; but “ every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lust and enticed.” We pray, therefore, ‘suffer us not to be drawn away by our own lusts: keep us out of the power of our own evil hearts. Thou knowest our frame, and rememberest that we are dust. Remember our weakness. What thou imposest we would not shun. What thou dost not impose, keep us from seeking. Forbid that our evil desire should convert our tempt- able condition into actual temptation. Keep us out of situations in which, so far as we can judge, it would be beyond our present strength to keep from sinning.” It is not a coward’s prayer. No man is a coward for being afraid of his own heart. It marks the highest quality of courage to know what to be afraid of and to fear it. To pray that God will not bring us within the possbility of temptation, would be to ignore our manhood, or to pray to be taken out of the world. But we may pray, and will surely pray, the more keenly conscious we become of the weakness of our nature, that God will not suffer the trials of life to become temptations to evil.
Temptation. See on Matt. vi. 13.
THe Parasite or Tuy Frrenp at Mipnient, 5-9. Peculiar to Luke.
5. Set before. See on ch. ix. 16.
7. My children are with mein bed. “A whole family— parents, children, and servants—sleep in the same room” (Thomson, ‘‘ Land and Book”). Tynd., my servants are with me in the chamber.
Cu. XI] LUKE. 361
8. Importunity (dvaiSecav). Only here in New Testament. A very striking word to describe persistence. Lit., shameless- ness. As related to prayer, it is illustrated in the case of Abraham’s intercession for Sodom (Gen. xviii. 23-83) ; and of the Syro-Phoenician woman (Matt. xv. 22-28),
9. Ask (airefre). The word for the asking of an inferior (Acts xii. 20; iii. 2); and hence of man from God (Matt. vii. 7; Jasi. 5). Christ never uses the word of his own asking from the Father, but always épw7, as asking on equal terms. Martha shows her low conception of his person when she uses the term of his asking God (John xi. 22).
Ask, seek, knock. “The three repetitions of the com- mand are more than mere repetitions; since to seek is more than to ask, and to knock than to seek” (Trench, “ Parables”).
11. Of any of you (tiva). The A. V. renders as though the pronoun were indefinite ; but it is interrogative and commences the sentence. Rev., therefore, rightly, of which of you that is a father, etc.
13. Being (irdpyovres). See on Jas. ii. 15.
Heavenly Father. Lit., the Hather, he who ts from Heaven.
14, 15, 17-23. Compare Matt. xii. 22-37.
14. Dumb (xwdov). See on Matt. ix. 32.
15. Beelzebub. See on Matt. x. 25.
16. Tempting. See on temptation, Matt. vi. 13.
Sign. See on Matt. xi. 20.
17. Thoughts (S:avonpata). Only here in New Testament. Primarily with a sense of intent, purpose.