12. Is far spent (apoécowev). The A. V. gives a variety of renderings to this verb. Luke ii. 52, increased ; Gal. i. 14,
166 WORD STUDIES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT. ([Cu. XIV
profited ; 2 Tim. iii. 9, proceed » 13, wax. The word originally means to beat forward or lengthen out by hammering. Hence to promote, and intransitively to go forward or proceed.
Let us cast off (drodapeda). As one puts off the garments of the night. For this use of the simple t/9npu, see on giveth his lofe, John x. 11.
13. Honestly (edoynudves). Honest is originally honorable, and so here. Compare Wyclif’s version of 1 Cor. xii. 23: “And the members that be wnhonest have more honesty ; for our honest members have need of none.” From ed well, oYna JSashion. See on Matt. xvii. 2. Hence becomingly. Compare 1 Cor. xiv. 40; 1 Thess. iv. 12. The word refers more partic- ularly to the outward life, and thus accords with walk, and in the day the time of observation.
Rioting (dors). Lit., revellings. See on 1 Pet. iv. 3. Drunkenness (ué9ars). See on Luke xxi. 34; John ii. 10.
Wantonness (dcedyelais). See on lasciviousness, Mark vii. 22. All these three are plural: riotings, drunkennesses, wan- LONNESSES.
Envying (jd). Rev., jealousy. See on Jas. iii. 14.
14. Provision (apévovav). Etymologically akin to take thought Jor, in ch. xiii. 17.
Flesh. In the moral sense: the depraved nature.
CHAM AT ae LV.
1. Weak in the faith. Probably referring to a class of Jewish Christians with Essenic tendencies. * Better, as Rev.,
* The Essenes were one of the three religious parties which divided Juda- ism at the time of Christ’s coming, the Pharisees and Sadducees being the two others. They formed a separate community, having all things in common. They were celibate and ascetic, living chiefly on vegetables, and supplying all their wants by their own labor. They were the strictest Sabbatarians, even restraining the necessities of the body on the Sabbath-day. They had a
vu. XIV.] THE EPISTLE TO THE ROMANS. 167%
tn faith, the reference being to faith in Christ, not to christ- ian doctrine. See on Acts vi. 7.
Receive ye (mpoc\auBaveode). Into fellowship. See on Matt. xvi. 22.
Doubtful disputations (Scaxpicess Suadoysopav). Lit., judg- ings of thoughts. The primary meaning of dvadoyiopos is a thinking-through or over. Uence of those speculations or reas- onings in one’s mind which take the form of scruples. See on Mark vii. 21. Avdxpsors has the same sense as in the other two passages where it occurs (1 Cor. xii. 10; Heb. v. 14); des- cerning with a view to forming a judgment. Hence the mean- ing is, “receive these weak brethren, but not for the purpose of passing judgment upon their scruples.”
2. Believeth that he may eat (micrever payeiv). The A.V. conveys the sense of having an opinion, thinking. But the point is the strength or weakness of the man’s fazth (see ver. 1) as it affects his eating. Hence Rev., correctly, hath farth to eat.
Herbs (Adyava). From ayaivw to dig. Herbs grown on land cultivated by digging: garden-herbs, vegetables. See on Mark iv. 32; Luke xii. 42.
3. Despise (éfovIevelrw). The verb means literally to throw out as nothing. Rev., better, set at nought.
Judge (xpwérw). Judgment is assigned to the weak brother, contempt to the stronger. Censoriousness is the peculiar error of the ascetic, contemptuousness of the liberal. A distinguished minister once remarked: “The weak brother is the biggest bully in the universe!” Both extremes are allied to spiritual pride.
Hath received (poceddfero). The aorist points to a de- finite time—when he believed on Christ, though there is still
tendency to sun-worship, and addressed prayers to the sun at daybreak. They denied the resurrection of the body, but believed in the immortality of the soul. See Bishop Lightfoot’s essay in his ‘‘ Commentary on Colossians ana Philemon.”