With Phrygian airs distracts the maddening mind, While arms of blood the fierce enthusiasts wield
To fright the unrighteous crowds, and bend profound Their impious souls before the power divine.
Thus moves the pompous idol through the streets, Scattering mute blessings, while the throngs devout Strew, in return, their silver and their brass,
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Loading the paths with presents, and o’ershade The heavenly form ; and all th’ attending train, With dulcet sprays of roses, pluckt profuse, A band select before them, by the Greeks Curetes called, from Phrygian parents sprung, Sport with fantastic chains, the measured dance Weaving infuriate, charmed with human blood, And madly shaking their tremendous crests.” De Rerum Natura, ii., 618-631.
Banquetings (woros). Lit., drinking-bouts. Trev., carous- ings.
Abominable (a9epirous). Only here, and by Peter in Acts x. 28. More literally, wnlawful, emphasizing the idolatries as violations of divine law.
4. Run not with them. “In a troop” (Bengel); like a band of revellers. See above. Compare Ovid’s description of the Bacchic rites :
‘¢ Lo, Bacchus comes! and with the festive cries Resound the fields ; and mixed in headlong rout, Men, matrons, maids, paupers, and nobles proud, To the mysterious rites are borne along.” Metamorphoses, iii., 528-530.
Excess (dvdyvow). Only here in New Testament. Lit., pouring forth. Rev. has flood in margin. The word is used in classical Greek of the ¢¢des which fill the hollows.
Riot (dcwrias). From a, not, and cdf, to save. Lit., wn- savingness, prodigality, wastefulness; and thence of squander- ing on one’s own debased appetites, whence it takes the sense of dissoluteness or profligacy. In Luke xv. 13, the kindred ad- verb daétus is used. The prodigal is described as scattering his substance, to which is added, Living wastefully (Gav acwrws). Compare Eph. v. 18; Tit. i. 6.
5. That is ready (éroluws eyovrts). Lit., having himself in readiness ; there at God’s right hand in heaven, whither he has
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gone (ch. iii. 22). Implying, also, a near judgment. Compare ver. 7.
7. Is at hand (Hyyxev). Lit., has come near. The word constantly used of the coming of Christ and his kingdom. See Matt. iii. 2; Mark i.15; Luke x. 9; Heb. x. 25.
Be ye sober (cwdpovjoare). The word is from ods, sound, and gpyv, the mind. Therefore, as Rey., be ye of sound mind. Compare Mark v. 15.
Watch (vate). See on ch. i.13. The A. V. has followed the Vulgate, vigilate (watch). Rev. is better: be sober.
Unto prayer (eis wpocevyds). Lit., prayers. The plural is used designedly : prayers of all kinds, private or public. Tynd. renders, Be ye discreet and sober, that ye may be apt to prayers. Compare Eph. vi. 18, “ with every kind of prayer, and watch- ing thereunto.”
8. Fervent (é«rev). See, on the kindred adverb fervently, notes on ch. 1. 22.
Love covereth, etc. Compare Jas. v. 20; Prov. x. 12. 9. Using hospitality. Compare Rom. xiii. 13.
10. A gift (ydpiopa). Originally, something freely given: a gitt of grace (ydpus). Used in New Testament (a) of a bless- ing of God graciously bestowed, as upon sinners (Rom. v. 15, 16; xi. 29); (b) of a gracious diwine endowment: an extraor- dinary gift of the Holy Spirit dwelling and working in a special manner in the individual (1 Tim. iv. 14; 2 Tim.i.6; Rom. xii. 6, 8). So here.
Manifold. See on ch. i. 6.
11. Oracles (Aoyia). In classical Greek, of the oracular re-
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sponses of heathen deities. Here, divine utterances or revela- tions. Compare Acts vii. 38; Rom. ii. 2; Heb. v. 12.
Giveth (yopnyez). Only here and 2 Cor. ix. 10. Peter uses the compound ézvxopnyéo, furnish, in 2 Pet. i. 5; which see.
12. Think it not strange (wu) Eeviferde). L.e., alien from you and your condition as Christians. Compare v, 4.