36 WORD STUDIES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT. (Cu. IV.
iii. 7. It was used for wife in the coarse and literal sense by Rabbinical writers. The admonition aptly follows the charge to abstain from fornication. On the contrary, let each one treat honorably his own wife. The common interpretation is, “as a safeguard against fornication let every one know how to procure his own wife.” It is quite safe to say that such a sentence could never have proceeded from Paul. He never would have offset a charge to abstain from fornication with a counsel to be well informed in the way of obtaining a wife. When he does touch this subject, as he does in 1 Cor. vil. 2, he says, very simply, “to avoid fornication let every man have (éyérw) his own wife”; not, know how to get one. Eidévar know, as usually interpreted, is both superfluous and absurd. Besides, the question was not of procuring a wife, but of living honorably and decently with her, paying her the respect which was her right, and therefore avoiding illicit connections.
That he pursue his gain-getting in sanctification and honour (xrao0at év dyacu@ cal tym). Asa holy and hon- orable man. The exhortation now turns to business rela- tions. Krdéo@a cannot mean possess, as A. V. That would require the perfect tense. It means procure, acquire. Often buy, as Acts xvii. 28; LXX, Gen. xxxiii. 19; xxxix. 1; xlvii. 19; xlix. 30; Josh. xxiv. 33; absolutely, Ezek. vii. 12, 18.
5. Notin the lust of concupiscence (uy év rdbe ériOv- uias). Lit. in passion of desire. Not with avaricious greed. For émvOvpla see on Mk. iv. 19. Its meaning is by no means limited to sensual lust; see, for instance, L. xxii. 15. It is used as including all kinds of worldly desires, as Gal. v. 16, 24; 1J.ii. 17. In Rom. vii. T, especially of covetousness.
6. That no man go beyond (70 py drrepBatvew). Lit. the not going beyond. Dependent on this is the will of God, ver. 3. The verb N. T.°. Often in LXX, mostly in the literal sense of overpassing limits. Also of overtaking, passing
Cu. IV.] THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE THESSALONIANS. 37
by, surpassing, as in wickedness or cruelty. It is an expan- sion of the preceding thought. Pursue your business as holy men: do not overreach or defraud.
It is the overstepping of the line between mine and thine. It is used absolutely, being defined by the succeeding clause. The A. V. is literal, go beyond. Rev. renders transgress. Weizsicker and Bornemann “ ubergreife overreach.” So Rev. margin. This last is the best.
Defraud (adeovexteiv). P°. See on 2 Cor. ii. 11, and covetousness, Rom. i. 29. It emphasises gain as the motive of fraud. Three times in LXX, Judg. iv. 11; Hab. ii. 9; Ezek. xxii. 27. Often in Class.
In any matter (év t@ mpdyyate). Rev. correctly, in the matter. Comp. 2 Cor. vii. 11. The sense is the business in hand, whatever it be. The 7@ does not stand for ri any. For mpdyuate matter, see on Matt. xviii. 19. Those who connect this clause with the preceding, explain 7@ as the matter just mentioned — adultery.
Avenger (éxésxos). P°. Hereand Rom. xiii. 4. In LXX rarely, and in the same sense as here. In this sense it occurs only in late Greek. For the warning comp. Eph. v. 6; Col. ili. 6; Rom. xiii. 4; Gal. v. 21.
7. Unto uncleanness (él dxafapoia). Better, for uncleanness; ézi denoting aim or intention. The intention is viewed as the basis of the act (émi upon). Comp. Gal. vy. 18; Eph. ii. 10.
In sanctification (é€v). Note the change of preposition. Sanctification is the characteristic life-element of the Christian, in which he is to live. Comp. in peace, 1 Cor. vii. 15; in hope, Eph. iv. 4.
8. Despiseth (46erav). Better, rejecteth. Setteth aside. Comp. Gal. ii. 21; iii. 15; 1 Cor. i. 19. Used in N. T. both of persons and things.