that /SarroXoyg/i' means the same here which ToXuXoy/a (much speaking) does immediately afterwards, sc. when the same things are repeated over and over again, as is the case with stammerers, who endeavour to correct their first utterance by a second. — uffirsp oi UVIKO), as the heathen do) In all things the practice of hypocrites is to be avoided, in prayer that also of the heathen. — ev rr\ croXuXoy/a a\>r£>v, in their much speaking) i.e. whilst they say many words. They think that many words are required to in form their deities what they want of them, so that they may hear and grant their requests, if not at the present, at some future time. Cf. on the other hand, "your Father KNOWETH," etc., ver. 8. The same word, croXuXoy/a (much speaking) occurs in the S. V. of Proverbs x. 19. Ammonius1 says, ^axpoXoyo; is one who utters many words concerning few things, a-oXuXoyos, one who utters many words concerning many things. Christ commands us to utter few words, even when praying for many things ; see ver. 9—13. — e/Vaxouo^ffoi/T-a/, shall be regarded. The Hebrew njy, to answer, is rendered by the LXX. tioam^iv- God answers substantially;2 see ch. vii. 7.
8. TLpo x-r.x., before, etc.) We pray, therefore, not with the view of instructing, but of adoring, the Father.
9. O'Jrwg, thus) i.e. in these words, with this meaning ; sc. with a short invocation of the Father, and a short enumeration of the things which we require. To have truly prayed thus, is sufficient, especially in meaning, one portion being employed at one time, another at another, to express our desires ; and thus also in words. For this formula is given in opposition to much speaking, has words best suited to the things which they express, a most perfect arrangement, and a fulness combined with brevity, which is most admirable ; so that the whole discourse may be said to be contained in it. The matter of this prayer is the basis of the whole of the first epistle of St Peter ; see Gnomon on 1 Peter i. 3. — Hdrtp, Father. An appellation by which God is never addressed in the Old Testament: for the examples which
1 Ammonius the grammarian must not be confounded with the author of the Ammonian Sections. He was a native of Alexandria, and flourished in the fourth century. The work here alluded to is his treatise De differentia dictionum. — (I. B.)
3 In the original " Deus respondit solide." — (I. B.)