Rightly dividing (dporopodvra). N.T.°. °Class. In LXX, Prov. iii. 6; xi. 5; both times in the sense of direct-
302 WORD STUDIES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT. [Cz. II.
ing the way. From ép60s straight and réuvevv to cut. Hence, to cut straight, as paths; to hold a straight course; generally, to make straight; to handle rightly. Vulg. recte tractare. The thought is that the minister of the gospel is to present the truth rightly, not abridging it, not handling it as a char- latan (see on 2 Cor. ii. 17), not making it a matter of wordy strife (ver. 14), but treating it honestly and fully, in a straightforward manner. Various homiletic fancies have been founded on the word, as, to divide the word of truth, giving to each hearer what he needs: or, to separate it into its proper parts: or, to separate it from error: or, to cut straight through it, so that its inmost.contents may be laid bare. Others, again, have found in it the figure of dividing the bread, which is the office of the household steward; or of dividing the sacrificial victims; or of cutting a straight fur- row with the plough.
16. Shun (aepiictaco). °P. In Pastorals, here and Tit. ili. 9. Originally, to place round; to stand round. In the middle voice, to turn one’s self about, as for the purpose of avoiding something: hence, avoid, shun. Often in Class., but in this sense only in later Greek.
Profane and vain babblings (Bey Xovs Kevodwvias). For profane, see on 1 Tim. i. 9. Vain is superfluous, being implied in babblings. For babblings, see on 1 Tim. vi. 20. Babble is a word of early origin, an imitative word, formed on the efforts of a young child to speak, and having its coun- terparts in many languages. It appears very early in Eng- lish, as in Piers Plowman :
*¢ And so I bablede on my bedes.”’
Vis. 2487.
Bacon : ‘¢ Who will open himselfe to a blab or a babler ? ”
Ess. vi.
Shakespeare : P ‘¢ Leave thy vain bibble babble.’’
Twelfth N. iv. 2.
They will increase (apoxdéyouvow). See on Rom. xiii. 12, and Gal. i. 14.
Cu. IL] THE SECOND EPISTLE TO TIMOTHY. 803
Ungodliness (acefelas). The opposite of edagBeta godli- ness, for which see on 1 Tim. ii. 2. In Pastorals, Tit. ii. 12. In Paul, Rom. i. 18; xi. 26, eit.
17. Will eat (vounv &e). Lit. will have pasturage, and so grow. Nopy rupds isa spreading of fire: a sore is said vouny tovetc@at to spread. Comp. Acts iv. 17, dcaveundn spread, of the influence of the miracle of Peter, from the same root, véwewv to distribute or divide ; often of herdsmen, to pas- ture. Noa only here and J. x. 9.
Canker (ydyypaiva). ‘Transliterated into gangrene. An eating sore; a cancer. N.T.°. °CLXX. Comp. Ovid: ‘¢Solet immedicabile cancer
Serpere, et illaesas vitiatis addere partes.”’ : Metam. ii. 825
18. Have erred (notéyncav). See on 1 Tim. i. 6. The resurrection (avdotacwv). -Only here in Pastorals.
19. Nevertheless (uevrov). Mostly in John. °P. Only here in Pastorals.
The foundation of God standeth sure (0 otepeds Oewércos Tov Oeod éotnxev). Wrong. tepeds sure is attributive, not predicative. Rend. the firm foundation of God standeth. The phrase foundation of God, N. T.°. @ewérwos foundation is an adjective, and A/Mos stone is to be supplied. It is not to be taken by metonymy for ot«éa house (ver. 20), but must be interpreted consistently with it,* and, in a loose way, repre- sents or foreshadows it. So we speak of an endowed institu- tion as a foundation. By “the sure foundation of God” is meant the church, which is “the pillar and stay of the truth” (1 Tim. iii. 15), by means of which the truth of God is to withstand the assaults of error. The church has its being in
*In LXX, pn x palace, fortress, citadel, hall, is rendered by OeyeNla, See Hos, viii. 14; Amosi. 4, 7, 10, 12, 14; Jer. vi. 5; Isa, xxv. 2.