differences of places. We do not know, the number, magnitude, and variety of things, comprehended in these words, and yet we do not fear them. Height here, in sublime style, is used for heaven ; depth for the abyss ; with which comp. ch. x. 6, 7 ; Eph. iv. 8, 9, 10, that is, neither the arduous and high ascents, nor the precipitous and deep descents, I shall not say, of the feelings, of the affections, of fame, and of pecuniary resources, Phil. iv. 12, nor shall I say [the arduous ascents, etc.], of walls, of mountains, and of waters, but even of heaven and of the abyss itself, of which even a careless consideration has power sufficient to make the human mind beside itself [to fill it with strange awe], produce in us no terror. Furthermore, Paul does not say in Greek, u-^og, (3d6og , as he does elsewhere in another sense ; nor a, fidOuff/ua, (as Plutarch says, rdv
atfr'spwv, the heights of the stars , and Theophrastus, (3aQva para r> jg the depths of the lake) but fiddog ; using purposely,
as it were, the derivative and primitive, which strike the ear with variety in sound. "T-nJ/os, the primitive noun, signifies height absolutely ; b^oj/xa^ a sort of verbal noun, is not so much height, as something that has been elevated, or made high ; •j-] jog belongs to God, and the third heaven, from whence we receive nothing hurtful ; has perhaps some likeness in
sound [resemblance by alliteration] to the word ar&p'eu/xoi, firma- ment, which is frequently used by the lxx. interpreters ; and in this passage certainly points to those regions, to which it is diffi- cult to ascend, and where the powers of darkness range, exalting themselves awfully against us [2 Thess. ii. 4, exalteth himself, Ephes. ii. 2, vi. 12] : (3dQog , how far soever it descends, does no injury to us. — xrlmg, creature) whatever things exist outside of God, and of what kind soever they are. He does not so much as condescend to mention visible enemies. — dvvy]<rerai, shall he able) although they should make many attempts.- — yjxp'nsai^ to separate) neither by violence, ver. 35, nor in the way of law [just right], ver. 33, 34.