14. We are made partakers of Christ (uéroyo. yap Tod Xpiotov yeydvawev). Rend. we are become fellows with Christ. For fellows see L. v. 7; Heb. i. 9. It marks even a closer relation than “brethren.” See L. xxii. 30; Rom. viii. 17; Apoe. iii. 21.
Beginning of our confidence (17 apynv ris broctdacews ). ‘The believing confidence with which we began our Christian life. For tidotacis confidence see on ch, i. 8. The Greek fathers render substance; that in virtue of which we are believers.
Cu. III] THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 419
Unto the end (uéype réAXous). Better, the consummation. It is more than mere termination. It is the point into which the whole life of faith finally gathers itself up. See Rowrevieeat 3 2) Corsxi15 5" Philip? iis 19 9: Hebs vie 8; 1 Pet. i. 9.
15. While it is said (év T@ AéyecOar). The formula by which the writer reverts to the previous citation. Connect with zf we hold fast. The exhortation of ver. 12 answered to Ps. xev; so the condition of fulfilment in ver. 14 is declared to rest on the same Scripture. Only on the ground of what is said in that Psalm does the holding fast come to pass. Rend. therefore, ‘‘ We are fellows of Christ if we hold the begin- ning of our confidence steadfast unto the end, seeing it is said,” etc.
16. For some, when they had heard, did provoke (tives yap axovoavtes Tapevixpavav). Rend. who, when they heard, did provoke? The interrogative tives calls special attention to those who provoked God. The writer would say, “My warning against apostasy is not superfluous or irrelevant: for, consider: who were they that provoked God? They were those who had fairly begun their journey to Canaan, as you have begun your Christian course. Zhey provoked God, so may you.
Howbeit not all (aA od wavres). Wrong. The inter- rogation should be continued. Whowere they? But (aAn’) why dolIask? Were they not all who came out of Egypt by Moses? They were so numerous that they practically consti- tuted the whole generation of the exodus. So far from its being true that a good ending necessarily follows a good beginning, a whole generation of God’s chosen people failed to reach the Land of Promise because they provoked God.
17. The interrogation still continued. “ With whom was he displeased forty years? Was it not with them?” etc.
420 WORD STUDIES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT. [Cu. IV.
Carcasses (ta x@dAa). N.T.°, LUXX for “3B @ corpse. K@dov properly alimb. The idea of dismemberment underlies the use of the word. Comp. Num. xiv. 29 (LXX), and 1 Cor. x. 5, of the rebellious Israelites, who xcatertpé0ncav ev TH pnw were strewn down along in the wilderness.
18. To them that believed not (rots aresOjcacw). Rend. to them that disobeyed.