Cu. IIL.] THE EPISTLE TO THE ROMANS. 35
We have before proved (mpontiacdueSa). The reference is not to logical proof, but to forensic accusation. The simple verb means to charge as being the cause (aitia) of some evil: hence to accuse, impeach. Rev., correctly, we before laid to the charge.
11. Understandeth (cumav). See on foolish, ch. i. 21.
Seeketh after (逫&rav). Lit., seeketh out. See on 1 Pet. RAL
12. They are together become unprofitable (dua 7ype- w@Jncav). Only here in the New Testament. Together carries forward the all. The Hebrew of the Psalm means have be- come corrupt. ‘The Greek word is to become useless. Compare John xv. 6.
Good (ypnototnta). Only in Paul’s writings. The radical idea of the word is projitableness. Compare have become un- profitable. Hence it passes readily into the meaning of whole- someness. See on Matt. xi. 30. It is opposed by Paul to dzrotop- ta abruptness, severity (Rom. xi. 22). It is rendered kindness in Eph. ii. 7; Col. iii. 12; Gal. v. 22. Paul, and he only, also uses ayatwotvn for goodness. The distinction as drawn out by Jerome is that ayaSwavvn represents a sterner virtue, showing itself in a zeal for truth which rebukes, corrects, and chastises, as Christ when He purged the temple. Xpnorédrns is more gentle, gracious, and kindly. Bishop Lightfoot defines it as a kindly disposition to one’s neighbor, not necessarily taking a practical form, while ayaIwcvvn energizes the ypnororns.
13. Open sepulchre (rados avewypévos). Lit., a sepulchre opened or standing open. Some explain the figure by the noisome exhalations from a tomb. Others refer it to a pit standing open and ready to devour, comparing Jer. v. 16, where the quiver of the Chaldaeans is called an open sepulchre. So Meyer and Morison. Godet compares the phrase used of a brutal man: “it seems as if he would like to eat you.” Com- pare Dante’s vision of the lion:
‘* With head uplifted and with ravenous hunger, So that it seemed the air was afraid of him.” ‘‘Inferno,” i, 47.
36 WORD STUDIES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT. (Cu. III.
Have used deceit (do\0dcav). Hebrew, they smoothed their tongues. Guile is contrasted with violence in the previous clause. Wyc., with their tongues they did guilingly. The im- perfect tense denotes perseverance in their hypocritical profes- sions.
16. Destruction (cvvtpiupa). A dashing to pieces. Only here. The kindred verb cuvtpiBw to break in pieces, shiver, is frequent. See Mark v. 4; xiv. 3; Apoc. ii. 27, etc.
19. We know. Often in Paul, of a thing generally con- ceded.
Saith—speaketh (Aéyer—Aanrez). See on Matt. xxviii. 18. The former contemplates the substance, the latter the express- zon of the law.
May be stopped (¢paym). Lit., fenced wp. The effect of overwhelming evidence upon an accused party in court.
May become guilty before God (u7rodicos yévntar To @ce). Rev., brought under the gudgment of God.
‘Trddixos under judgment, occurs only here. In classical Greek it signifies brought to trial or liable to be tried. So Plato, ‘ Laws,” 846, of a magistrate imposing unjust penalties. “Tet him be Mable to pay double to the injured party.” Id., 879, ‘The freeman who conspired with the slave shall be dzable to be made a slave.” The rendering brought under judgment regards God as the judge ; but He is rather to be regarded as the injured party. Not God’s judgments, but His rzghts are referred to. The better rendering is liable to pay penalty to God.*
20. Works of the law. Not the Mosaic law in its ritual or ceremonial aspect; but the law in a deeper and more general sense, as written both in the decalogue and in the hearts of the Gentiles, and embracing the moral deeds of both Gentiles and Jews. The Mosaic law may indeed be regarded as the primary reference, but as representing a universal legislation and including all the rest. The moral revelation, which is the