45. T/; apa, earh, x.r.X., who then is, etc.) Who is there who would wish to be such ? The up a (then) in Luke xii. 42, refers to the question in the preceding verse ; but here it expresses the magnitude and rarity of the matter. — visrog KO.I tppovipos, faithful and prudent) Two cardinal virtues of a good servant, of which faithfulness (fides) is more frequently praised, because it is seated in the will, and has as its associate, prudence,2 given from above. — Soi/Xo?, servant) i.e. pastor. The article* is emphatic. — '^tpa.'riia;,* household) i.e. flock. — roD di&ovai, to give) This refers to the epi thet faithful.5 The opposite is exhibited in ver. 49. — rqv rpofpyv, their food) in just quality and measure ; corresponding with the expression rt> airoptrpiov (their portion of meat) in Luke
1 E. V. " broken up."— (I. B.)
2 Prudence is the characteristic of those who do not live from day to day (i.e. making no preparation for the morrow), but who so behave themselves as they would wish that they had behaved themselves when, sooner or later, their Lord shall come. — V. g.
3 The Greek is "6 S^TO? BovAo? x.a.1 Qpovifio;;" lit. " THE faithful servant and prudent :" rendered in E. V. "A. faithful and mse servant."*— (I. B.)
4 So D and Rec. Text. But BLA, oUsru'af. abed Vulg. Hil., 'fanriliam.1 —En.
4 i.e. Faithful in respect of giving. — ED.