762 WORD STUDIES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT. [Ou. V.
by all the best texts. The early rain fell in October, Novem- ber, and December, and extended into January and February. These rains do not come suddenly, but by degrees, so that the farmer can sow his wheat or barley. The rains are mostly from the west or southwest (Luke xii. 54), continuing two or three days at a time, and falling mostly in the night. Then the wind shifts to the north or east, and fine weather ensues (Prov. xxv. 23). The datter rains, which are much lighter, fall in March and April. Jain in harvest was regarded as a miracle (1 Sam. xii. 16-18). See Introduction, on James’ local allu- sions,
9. Grudge not (41 orevafere). Better, as Rev., murmur not. The verb means éo sigh or groan.
Standeth before the doors. In the act of entering. 10. Example (idderypa). See on 2 Pet. ii. 6.
Of suffering affliction («axomradeias). Only here in New Testament. The word does not mean the endurance of afflic- tion, but afflecteon itself. Hence, Rev., rightly, sugfering.
The prophets. Compare Matt. v. 12.
11. Endure (i7opuévovtas). Present participle. But the later texts read vopeivavras, the aorist participle, which en- dured ; referring to the prophets in the past ages. So Rev. On endured and patience, see on ver. 7.
The end of the Lord (7d tédos xupéov). A peculiar ex-
pression. The happy conclusion to which God brought Job’s trials.
Very pitiful and of tender mercy (wokvaTrNayyvos Kal oiK- tippov). The former adjective only here in New Testament ; the latter here and Luke vi. 36. Rev., fudd of pity and mereci- ful. Tlodvardayxvos is from words, much, and oTrayyva, the
Cu. V.] THE GENERAL EPISTLE OF JAMES. 763
nobler entrails, used like our heart, as the seat of the emotions. Hence the term bowels in the A. V. (Philip. i. 8; Col. ili. 12, etc.). Compare evomrayyvor, tender-hearted, Eph. iv. 32. The distinction between this and oixripyav, merciful, seems to be that the former denotes the general quality of compassion, while the latter emphasizes the sympathy called out by special cases, being the feeling which is moved to pain at another's suffering.
12. Any other oath. See the common formulas of swear- ing, Matt. v. 35, 36.
Is afflicted (xaxoraSe7). See on the kindred word KaKOTTA- Seva, suffering, ver. 10. Only here and 2 Tim. ii. 3, 9; iv. 9.
Let him sing psalms (Waddérw). The word means, pri- marily, to pluck or twitch. Hence of the sharp ¢wang ona bow- string or harp-string, and so to play upon a stringed instru- ment. Our word psalm, derived from this, is, properly, a tune played upon a stringed instrument. The verb, however, is used in the New Testament of singing praise generally. See 1 Cor. xiv. 15; Rom. xv. 9.
15. The sick (dv xdpuvovra). Rev. gives, better, the parti- cipial force, him that is sick. The word originally means to work. Hence, “him that is laboring wnder disease.”
And if he have committed sins («av dyaptias 7} memou- nxos). The Greek gives a shade of meaning which can hardly be transferred neatly into English, representing not merely the fact that the man has sinned, but his condition as a sinner. Literally the words read, if he be having committed sins ; i.¢., in a state of having committed, and under the moral or physical consequences of transgression.
They shall be forgiven (a¢eIjcera). Better, Revaksase shall be forgiven,” supplying the commission as a subject. The verb means to send forth or discharge, and is the standard New- Testament word for forgiving. Forgiveness (apeots) is a put- ting or sending away of sims, with a consequent discharge of
704 WORD STUDIES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT. [Cu. V.
the sinner; thus differing from mapeous (Rom. iii. 25), which is a passing by of sin, a pretermission as distinguished from a 7re- mission. See, farther, on Rom. iii. 25.