pounds exTstpd^U)1 ex<ffop YEUW, fanmrrfof) btnfafxnfU) x.r.X., the mean ing of which does not in the Septuagint differ from that of the simple verbs, from which they are derived. Any degree what ever of acquaintance writh the Greek New Testament is useful and laudable : but they, who are less expert therein, frequently see false instances of emphasis, seize on them with eagerness, and publish them abroad, whilst they pass by those which are genuine. This renders it the more necessary that we should all help each other in turn. Even dull eyes can make use of light for the chief purposes of life : but he, who has a peculiarly strong sight, perceives many things more accurately than others do. Thus is it also in Scripture : all see [or may see] as much as is necessary to salvation, but the clearer that the believer's sight is, the greater is his profit and delight : and that which one believer once sees, others who of themselves saw it not, are, by his direction, enabled to perceive. I have exposed the fallacy of many instances of supposed emphasis, brought forward by other writers; many others I have passed over in silence : genuine instances, which offer themselves spontaneously, I have not neglected. If, however, I should be thought to dwell at times too minutely, and too long, upon these matters, I shall be readily acquitted by those who have observed the perpetual analogy of accurate and universally self-consistent expression, which pervades alike eveiy portion of Scripture.
In order to weigh precisely the force of the words, it is essen tial to observe the Hebraism wTith which the language of the Greek New Testament is tinged. It is beyond question, that the Apostles and Evangelists were accustomed to speak and write in such a style as was especially suited to the Helleniz- ing2 Jews resident in Asia and elsewhere, who had introduced the spirit of the Hebrew language into their ordinary Greek
1 For the convenience of those readers who are unacquainted with Greek, it may be as well to explain that sxTretpd^a and the words which follow are derived, respectively, from Trupx^a, to tempt; vopvevu, to debauch or prosti tute; evuvrio;, over against ; lttx.i>vp.<, to show. — (I. B.)
2 i.e. those who from having resided for some generations in countries where Greek was the common medium of intercourse, spoke that language (with some idiomatic peculiarities) as their mother tongue : they are spoken of in Acts vi. 1, as "Hellenists" which E. V. renders " Grecians." — (I. B.)