Charitably (cata daydrnv). Lit., according to love. Rev., in love. See on 2 Pet. i. 6.
Him (éxeivov). The pronoun has a strongly defining force, explained by the following phrase.
16. Your good (ipuav 76 ayadov). Referring, most probably, to the liberty of the strong. Others think that the whole Church is addressed, in which case good would refer to the gos- pel doctrine.*
Be evil spoken of (Bracdnyucicda). See on blasphemy, Mark vii. 22. In 1 Cor. x. 30, it is used of evil-speaking by members of the Church, which favors the reference of good to the strong.
17. The kingdom of God. See on Luke vi. 20, and com- pare Matt. iii. 2. “The heavenly sphere of life in which God’s word and Spirit govern, and whose organ on earth is the Church” (Lange). Not the future, messianic kingdom.
Meat and drink (pacts Kal mdcus). Rev., eating and drink- ing. Both words, however, occur frequently in the sense of A. V. Meat (8papa), that which is eaten, occurs in ver. 15. The corresponding word for that which is drunk (apa) is not found in the New Testament, though wéoua drink occurs 1 Cor. x. 4; Heb. ix. 10, and both in classical and New-Testament Greek, wéaus the act of drinking is used also for that which is drunk. See John vi. 55. A somewhat similar interchange of meaning appears in the popular expression, such a thing is good eating ; also in the use of living for that by which one lives.
Righteousness (d:xavoctvn). On its practical, ethical side, as shown in moral rectitude toward men.
Peace (epyvn). Not peace with God, RTS as ch. v. 1, but mutual concord among Christians.
Joy (xapa). Common joy, arising out of the prevalence of rectitude and concord in the Church. The whole chapter is
*See the whole question admirably summed up in Dwight’s note on the passage in the American Meyer.
Cu XIV.]j THE EPISTLE TO THE ROMANS. 171
concerned with the mutwal relations of Christians, rather than with their relations to God.
In the Holy Ghost. Most commentators construe this with joy only. Meyer says it forms one phrase. Compare 1 Thess. i. 6. While this may be correct, I see no objection to constru- ing the words with all these terms. So Godet: “It is this di- vine guest who, by His presence, produces them in the Church.”
19. Things which make for peace (ra ris eipnvns). Lit., the things of peace. So the next clause, thongs of edification. See on build you up, Acts xx. 382. EHdvfication is upbualding.
One another (ris eis GAAHAOvs). The Greek phrase has a defining force which is lost in the translations. Lit., thongs of edification, that, namely, which is with reference to one another. The definite article thus points Paul’s reference to individuals rather than to the Church as a whole.
20. Destroy (xarddve). A different word from that in ver. 15. It means to loosen down, and is used of the destruction of buildings. Hence according with edification in ver. 19. See on Mark xiii. 2; Acts v. 38.
Work of God. The christian brother, whose christian per- sonality is God’s work. See 2 Cor. v. 17; Eph. ii. 10; Jas. i. 18.
With offence (Sia mpockdpparos). Against his own con- scientious scruple. Lit., through or amidst offence.
21. To eat flesh—drink wine. The two points of the weak brother’s special scruple. Omit or 2s offended or is made weak.
99. Hast thou faith (od rictw éyes). The best texts insert dv which. “The faith which thou hast have thou to thyself,” etc. So Rev.
Condemneth not himself (xpivwv). Rev., better, judgeth. Who, in settled conviction of the rightness of his action, sub- jects himself to no self-judgment after it.
172 WORD STUDIES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT. [Cu. XIV
Alloweth (Soxiudfer). Rev., approveth. See on 1 Pet. i. 7. “Christian practice ought to be out of the sphere of morbid introspection.”