Kingdom and glory. The only instance of this collocation. God’s kingdom is here conceived as present — the economy of divine grace to which the readers are called as Christians. Glory is the future consummation of that kingdom. For Baotrela kingdom, see on L. vi. 20. Aca glory is not used in N. T. in its primary, classical sense of opinion or notion. It signifies reputation, J. xii. 43; Rom. ii. 7,10: brightness or splendour, Acts xxil. 11; Rom. ix. 4; 1 Cor. xv. 40. Glory of God expresses the sum total of the divine perfec- tions. The idea is prominent in redemptive revelation: see Isa. lx. 1; Rom. v. 2; vi. 4. It expresses the form in which God reveals himself in the economy of salvation: see Rom. ix. 23; Eph. i. 12; 1 Tim.i. 11. It is the means by which the redemptive work is carried on: see 2 Pet. i. 3; Rom. vi. 4; Eph. ui. 16; Col. i. 11. It is the goal of Christian hope: see Rom. v. 2; viii. 18, 21; Tit. ii. 13.
13. Also—we. Also may point to an expression of thanks- giving in a letter from the Thessalonians to Paul. You say ““we give thanks to God.” We also give thanks. Comp. lis ds) er:
When ye received the word of God which ye heard of us (waparaBovres Adyov axons Tap Hudv Tov Geod). Rend. when ye received the word of the message (which came) from us, even the word of God. The words the word of the message from us form one conception, governed by trapadraBevtes having re- ceived or when ye received; therefore from us is not to be taken as depending on having received, as Rev. when ye re- ceived from us the word, etc. Of God (supply the word) is added in order to correct any possible false impression made
* Deissmann, Neue Bibelstudien, p. 75 £.
28 WORD STUDIES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT. (Cu.
by from us. ’Axon in N. T. means the sense of hearing, as Matt. xiii. 14; 1 Cor. xii. 17; 2 Pet. ii. 8: or the organ of hearing = ear, as Mk. vii. 35; L. vii. 1: or a thing heard, a report, rumour, as J. xii. 38; Rom. x. 16. The phrase dAdyos axons or THs axons the word of hearing, or word of the message, signifies the word which is heard. Comp. Heb. iv. 2. See on the fame, L. iv. 37.
Effectually worketh (évepye?rar). Referring to the word, not to God. Comp. Philip. ii. 18. In the middle voice as here, used only by Paul and James, and only of things. See Eph. iii. 20; Col. i. 29; Jas. v. 16, and footnote on Col. i. 29. The noun évépyera, P°. It means power in exercise, and is used only of superhuman power.
14. In Christ Jesus. Seems to be added to distinguish the Christian churches in Judaea from the synagogues of the Jews, which would claim to be churches of God. Comp. Gal. i. 22, and see on ch.i.1. In Christ Jesus, in Christ, in Jesus, in the Lord, in him, are common Pauline formulas to denote the most intimate communion with the living Christ. These phrases are not found in the Synoptic Gospels. *Ev éuoé in me (Christ) is frequent in the Fourth Gospel. The concep- tion is that of a sphere or environment in which a Christian or a church lives, as a bird in the air, or the roots of a tree in the soil.*
Countrymen (cupdurerav). N. T.°. CLXX. Not in pre- Christian Greek writers. Lit. belonging to the same tribe or clan. The reference is to the Gentile persecutors who were instigated by the Jews.
15. Persecuted (éxdiwEdvrav). Rev. more literally and correctly, drave out. The word only here, though it occurs as an alternative reading, L. xi. 49. Probably with special