Are changed (yerapopdotpeda). Rev., transformed. See on Matt. xvii: 2. The present tense expresses the change as in progress ; are being changed, which is further defined by from
glory to glory.
810 WORD STUDIES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT. [Cu. IV.
The same image (r7v avr eixdva). See on Apoc. xiii. 14. Compare especially 1 John iii. 2; also Rom. viii. 29; John xvii. 24; Col. iii. 4; Rom. viii. 17; 1 Cor. xv. 48-53.
By the Spirit of the Lord (ad Kupiov rvevparos). Better, as Rev., from the Lord the Spirit. Compare ver.17. The preposition d7ro from depicts the transformation as proceeding from rather than as caused by.
1. As we have received mercy. Construe with we have this ministry. Having this ministry as a gift of divine mercy. Compare 1 Cor. vii. 25. Bengel says: “'The mercy of God, by which the ministry is received, makes us earnest and sincere.”
2. Dishonesty (ris aicydvns). Rev., more correctly, shame. Compare Eph. v. 12.
Craftiness (sravouvpyig). See on Luke xx. 23.
Handling deceitfully (SoAodvTes). Only here in the New Testament. Primarily, to ensnare ; then to corrupt. Used of adulterating gold, wine, etc. See on which corrupt, ch. ii. 17. This verb has a narrower meaning than the one used there (camnrevew) ; for, while that means also to corrupt, it adds the sense for gain’s sake. ‘The Vulgate renders both by the same word, adulterantes. Compare Dante:
‘Thus did Sabellius, Arius, and those fools Who have been even as swords unto the Scriptures In rendering distorted their straight faces.” “¢ Paradiso,” xiii., 128-130.
3. Hid (xexaduppévov). Rev., veiled, in accordance with the imagery of ch. iii.
4. The god of this world (6 Seds tod aidvos Tovrov). The phrase occurs only here. Compare Eph. ii. 2; vi. 12; John xii. 31; xiv. 30. Satan is called god in the rabbinical writings.
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“The first God is the true God; but the second god is Samael.” “The matron said, ‘Our god is greater than thy God; for when thy God appeared to Moses in the bush, he hid his face ; when, however, he saw the serpent, which is my god, he fled.’ ”
The light (tov dwricpov). Only here and ver. 6. Lit., the illumination, act of enlightening.
Image of God. Compare Col. i. 15; John xvii. 5; Philip. ii. 6; iii. 21. Christ’s light is also God’s. Compare Heb. i. 3, Rev., effulgence (amavyacua, compare avydcar shine, in this passage). Theodoret says: “ The effulgence is both from the fire and with the fire, and has the fire as its cause, yet is not divided from the fire; for whence comes the fire, thence also comes the effulgence.”
Shine (aiydéoa). Only here in the New Testament. From avyn brightness, which also occurs but once, Acts xx. 11, day- break. In classical Greek of the sun especially. Rev., dawn is legitimate as a translation, but hardly here, since Paul is going back to the figure of ch. iii. 18.
6. Who commanded the light to shine (0 eizr@v das Aapy- at). The correct reading is Adprber shall shine ; so that we should render, it is God that said light shall shine. So Rev.
To give the light of the knowledge (pos dwticpov Tijs yvdcews). Lit., for the illumination, as ver. 4. In order that the knowledge may lighten. Knowledge, if not diffused, is not of the nature of light.
In the face of Jesus Christ. Containing the thought of ch. iii. 18. The knowledge of the divine glory becomes clear revelation to men in the face of Christ as it appears in the Gos- pel: “So that in this seen countenance that clear-shining knowledge has the source of its light, as it were, its focus” (Meyer).*
7. This treasure. The divine light which is the guide and inspiration of the apostolic ministry.
* The student will be interested in Stanley’s summary of the images of the preceding section. ‘‘Commentary,” p. 400.