9. The proof of you (rH Soxupry vuov). See on Rom. vy. 4. Your tried quality. See on 1 Pet, i, 7. Compare Philip. ii. 22.
10. In the person (éy mpocwr@). Better, as Rey., in mar-
gin, presence ; or face, as if Christ were looking on. See on Che iat Ts
11. Lest Satan should get an advantage of us (wa pi TEOVERTNI@pLEV LTO TOD Satava). Lit., in order that we be not made gain of, or overreached, by Satan. Rev., that no advant- age may be gained over us. The verb, from mr<ov more, and éye to have, appears in the noun Treovetia greed of gain, covet- ousness. See on Rom. i. 29.
Are ignorant—devices (ayvoodpev—vorjpara). A paronom- asia (see on Rom. i. 29, 31). As nearly as possible, “not know his knowing plots.”
12. |came to Troas. Bengel remarks: “The whole epistle is an itinerary.” The fact is another illustration of the strong personal feeling which marks the letter. “The very stages of his journey are impressed upon it; the troubles at Ephesus, the repose at Troas, the anxiety and consolation of Macedonia, the prospect of moving to Corinth.”
Troas. The full name of the city was Alexandria Troas. It was founded by Antigonus, one of the successors of Alex- ander the Great, and originally called by him Antigonia Troas. It was finished by Lysimachus, another of Alexander’s generals, and called by him Alexandria Troas. It stood upon the sea- shore, about four miles from ancient Troy, and six miles south of the entrance to the Hellespont. It was, for many centuries, the key of the traffic between Europe and Asia, having an ar- tificial port consisting of two basins. Its ruins, with their immense arches and great columns of granite, indicate a city of much splendor. The Romans had a peculiar interest in it, connected with the tradition of their own origin from Troy; and the jus Italicwm was accorded it by Augustus, by which its territory enjoyed the same immunity from taxation which attached to land in Italy. Both Julius Caesar and Constantine
298 WORD STUDIES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT. [Cu. IL
conceived the design of making it a capital. The ruins enclose a circuit of several miles, and include a vast gymnasium, a stadium, a theatre, and an aqueduct. The Turks call it “Old Constantinople.” The harbor is now blocked up.
A door. See on 1 Cor. xvi. 9. 13. Rest (aveow). Rev., relief. See on liberty, Acts xxiv. 23.
Taking my leave (azrota&dpevos). The verb means, primar- ily, to set apart or separate; hence to separate one’s self, with- draw, and so to take leave of. The A. V. gives this sense in every case, except Mark vi. 46, where it wrongly renders sent away. See Luke ix. 61; Acts xviii. 18, 21. Ignatius, dzro- tatdpevos TO Bip having bid farewell to the life, that is, ths lower life (Epistle to Philadelphia, xi.).
14. Causeth to triumph (SpiauBevovts). This rendering is inadmissible, the word being habitually used with the accus- ative (direct objective) case of the person or thing triumphed over, and never of the triumphing subject. Hence, to lead in triumph. It occurs only here and Col. ii. 15. It is not found in any Greek author later than Paul’s date. It is derived from SpiauBos a hymn to Bacchus, sung in festal processions, and was used to denote the Roman “triumph,” celebrated by vic- torious generals on their return from their campaigns. The general entered the city in a chariot, preceded by the captives and spoils taken in war, and followed by his troops, and pro- ceeded in state along the sacred way to the Capitol, where he offered sacrifices in the temple of Jupiter. He was accom- panied in his chariot by his young children, and sometimes by confidential friends, while behind him stood a slave, holding over his head a jewelled crown. The body of the infantry brought up the rear, their spears adorned with laurel. They shouted “triumph!” and sang hymns in praise of the gods or of their leader. Paul describes himself and the other subjects of Christ’s grace under the figure of this triumphal pomp, in which they are led as trophies of the Redeemer’s conquest.*