respect to the Jews, concedes less. After if \ oh , therefore [ver. 21], follows, like dXku, but, (ch. vi. 5)1 and de, truly Acts xi. 17. 2 — Comp. Matt. xxv. 27. Moreover, the oh, therefore , in a subse- quent verse (ver. 21), brings to a conclusion the somewhat long protasis, which begins with s/, if. — 'lovdaTog, a Jew) This, the highest point of Jewish boasting (a farther description of it being interposed at ver. 17-20, and its refutation being added, ver. 21-24), is itself refuted at the 25th and following verses. More- over, the description of his boasting consists of twice five clauses, of which the first five, from thou restest (ver. 17), to, out of the law (ver. 18), show what the Jew assumes to himself; the rest, as many in number as the former, thou art confident (ver. 19), to, in the law (ver. 20), show, what more the Jew, from this circumstance, arrogates to himself, in reference to others. On both sides [in both series], the first clause of one corresponds to the first of the other, the second to the second, and so on in succession ; and as the fifth clause in the former series, instructed, ver. 18, so the fifth in the latter, having, ver. 20 [the form of knowledge] de- notes a cause : because thou art instructed, [answering to] because thou hast. — l^ovofidi^f) in the middle voice : thou callest thyself by this name , and delightest to be so called. — svravavravvi) thou restest in that, which threatens to put thee in a strait ; thou hast in the law a schoolmaster, instead of a father [as you fancy the law to be]. — Tw vo/aw, in the law) Paul purposely [knowingly] makes frequent use of this name. — sv ©s&, in God), as though He were One, who is peculiarly thy God.
18. To the will, that is, whatever has been ratified by
the law ; so, the will, absolutely, Matt, xviii. 14 ; 1 Cor. xvi. 12. But this will is nothing else, than the will of God ; but a strong feeling of piety [ev\d(3e/a, pious caution] prevented Paul from adding, of God. — boxifAafyig) provest, approvest.
19. ’Ev ffxorsi, in the darkness of congenital ignorance [igno- rance, accompanying the heathen from birth].
20. lAopyoxnv) The word is taken here in a good sense, in reference to the Jew, who is boasting : the form, or correct &ut-
1 ABC A read d.’h'kd. there. Gfg Yulg. read ce^se, simul.
2 EG<? Rec. Text, Theb. Vers, read It, who truly was /, etc. ABCo? Vulg. omit Is. — Ed.