10. For Christ’s sake—in Christ (dca Xpucrov—év Xpic- to). We apostles are fools in the world’s eyes on account of (6va) Christ, because we know and preach nothing but Christ: You are wise in Christ, as Christians, making your Christianity a means to your worldly greatness—union with Christ the basis of worldly wisdom. ‘‘ Wise men are ye in your connection with Christ! Sagacious, enlightened Christians!” (Meyer).
Honorable (évdo£o). With a suggestion of display and splendor. Right honorable are ye!
11. We have no certain dwelling-place (dcratobper). From dotatos unstable, strolling about. Only here in the New Testament. Compare Matt. viii. 20; x. 23; Heb. xi. 37. Wyc., we ben unstable.
12. Labor (xomidpev). Rev., toil. Unto weariness. See on Luke v. 5.
208 WORD STUDIES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT. (Cu. IV.
Reviled (Aowdopovpevor), See on Acts xxili. 4. We bless (evAoyoopev). See on blessed, John xii. 13. We suffer (dvexyoueda). Lit., we hold or bear up.
13. Defamed (dvadnuovpevos). Publicly slandered ; while reviled refers to personal abuse.
intreat (wapaxanroduev). See on consolation, Luke vi. 24, and comfort, Acts ix. 31. The sense is, we strive to appease by entreaty.
Filth — offscouring (cepixaddppatra — rrepivrnua). The former word is from 7repixadaipw to cleanse all round. Hence that which is thrown off in cleansing ; refuse. Kddappa the refuse of a sacrifice. So Aeschylus. Electra says: “Should I, like one who has carried away refuse (xaddpyad’) from a purification, after tossing away the urn, go back again with un- turned eyes?” (‘Choephore,” 90). In Prov. xxi. 18, Sept., it occurs in the sense of ransom. Some find an allusion here to an ancient Athenian custom of throwing certain worth- less persons into the sea in case of plague or famine, saying Be our offscouring/ These persons were called epixaSdppara offscourings, or Tepurnwata scrapings, in the belief that they would wipe away the nation’s guilt. Ignatius says to the Ephes- ians, mepiipnua tuav IL am your offscouring. The sense is twofold: J am as the meanest among you; and I devote my life for you. In the middle of the third century, weptpnud cov had become a common expression of formal compliment: your humble servant. See Lightfoot, “Apostolic Fathers,” on Ig- natius to the Ephesians, viii. Compare Lam. iii. 45, and Tobit v.18. Iepinpnua that which is scraped or scoured off. Both words only here in the New Testament.
This tremendous piece of irony justifies the numerous allus- ions which have been made to Paul’s vehemence and severity. Thus Dante, in his vision of the Earthly Paradise, pictures Paul:
‘¢ Two old men I beheld, unlike in habit, But like in gait, each dignified and grave. One (Luke) showed himself as one of the disciples Of that supreme Hippocrates whom Nature
Ca.IV.}) THE FIRST EPIS\LE TO THE CORINTHIANS. 209
Made for the animals she holds most dear : Contrary care the other (Paul) manifested, With sword so shining and so sharp, it caused Terror to me on this side of the river.” 4 ‘* Purgatorio,” xxix., 184-141.
“His words, indeed, seem tobe those of a simple, and, as it were, an innocent and rustic man, who knows neither how to frame nor to avoid wiles; but whithersoever you look, there are thunderbolts” (Jerome). “Paul thunders, lightens, utters pure flames” (Erasmus). See a collection of quotations in Farrar’s “ Life and Work of St. Paul,” dno Osc
14. To shame (évtpézwv). Lit., as shaming. See on Matt. xxi. 37. The verb means ¢o turn about, hence to turn one upon himself ; put him to shame. Compare 2 Thess. iii. 14; Tit. ii. 8. Also, in the middle voice, in the sense of reverence ; to turn one’s self toward another. See Mark xii. 6; Luke xviii. 2. The kindred noun évrpor/ occurs twice: 1 Cor. vi. 53; xv. 34. Compare Sophocles: “Think you he will have any regard (€vtpowv) for the blind man” (“ Oedipus at Colonos,” 299).