Wrought (xarevpydcato). The compound verb with card down through always signifies the bringing to pass or accomp- lishment. See ch. ii. 9; 1 Cor. v. 3; 2 Cor. vii. 10. It is used both of evil and good. See especially vv. 15,17, 1822055 To man everything forbidden appears as a desirable blessing ; but yet, as it is forbidden, he feels that his freedom js limited, and now his lust rages more violently, like the waves against the dyke ” (Tholuck).
Dead. Not active.
9. | was alive—once (wv moré). Referring to the time of childlike innocence previous to the stimulus imparted to the in- active principle of sin by the coming of the law; when the moral self-determination with respect to the law had not taken place, and the sin-principle was therefore practically dead.
* For other explanations, see Schaft’s Lange on this passage.
Cu. VII.] THE EPISTLE TO THE ROMANS. 79
The commandment (évronjs). The specific injunction “thou shalt not covet.” See on Jas. ii. 8; John xiii. 84.
Revived (avéfncev). Not came to life, but lived again. See Luke xv. 24, 32. The power of sin is originally and in tts nature living; but before the coming of the commandment its life is not expressed. When the commandment comes, it be- comes alive again. It lies dormant, like the beast at the door (Gen. iv. 7), until the law stirs it up.
The tendency of prohibitory law to provoke the will to re- sistance is frequently recognized in the classics. Thus Horace: “The human race, presumptuous to endure all things, rushes on through forbidden wickedness” (Ode, i., 3, 25). Ovid: “The permitted is unpleasing; the forbidden consumes us fiercely ” (“‘ Amores,” ii., 19, 3). “We strive against the for- bidden and ever desire what is denied ” (id., iil. ..4517).2 9 Se- neca: “ Parricides began with the law, and the punishment showed them the crime” (“ De Clementia,” i., 23). Cato, in his speech on the Oppian law, says: “It is safer that a wicked man should even never be accused than that he should be ac- quitted ; and luxury, if it had never been meddled with, would be more tolerable than it will be now, like a wild beast, irritated by having been chained and then let loose” (Livy, xxxiv., 4).
| found to be unto death. The A. V. omits the significant aitn this. This very commandment, the aim of which was “fe, | found unto death. Meyer remarks: “It has tragic em- phasis.” So Rev., thts I found. The surprise at such an un- expected result is expressed by J found, literally, was Sound (evpé In). |
11. Deceived (é&nmdrncev). Rev., beguiled. Only in Paul. Compare 2 Cor. xi. 3; 2 Thess. ii. 3.
12. Holy, just, good. Holy as God’s revelation of Himseif ; just (Rev., righteous) in its requirements, which correspond to God’s holiness; good, salutary, because of its end.
13. Exceeding («a9 tepBorjv). An adverbial phrase. Lit., according to excess. The noun UmrepBody means a casting beyond. The English hyperbole is a transcription.
80 WORD STUDIES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT. [Cu. VIL
14. We know (oidayev). Denoting something generally conceded.
Spiritual (wvevpartixds). The expression of the Holy Spirit.
Carnal (cdpxwos). Lit., made of flesh. A very strong ex- pression. ‘ This unspiritual, material, phenomenal nature ” so dominates the unrenewed man that he is described as consisting of flesh. Others read capkixos having the nature of flesh.
Sold under sin. Asaslave. The preposition tad under, with the accusative, implies direction ; so as to be under the power of.
15. 1 do (xarepydfouar). See on ver. 8. Accomplish, achieve. Here appropriately used of carrying out another’s will. I do not perceive the outcome of my sinful life.
I allow not (ov ywwacKkw). Allow is used by A. V. in the ear- lier English sense of approve. Compare Luke xi.48; Rom. xiv. 22; 1 Thess. ii.4. Shakspeare: “Thou shalt hold the opinion of Pythagoras as I will allow of thy wits” (“Twelfth Night,” iv., 2). But the meaning of ywaocxw is not approve, but recog- nize, come to know, perceive. Hence Rev., J know not. Paul says: “ What I carry out I do not recognize in its true nature, as a slave who ignorantly performs his master’s behest without knowing its tendency or result.”