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1. ' A\r)6e/ccvy truth) Concerning the connexion, see on ch. i. 16, note. The article is not added here ; comp. 2 Cor. vii. 14, xi. 10, because his reference is not to the whole truth, but to something true in particular [a particular truth], and in this sense also aX^s/a/ in the plural is used in Ps. xii. 2, lxx. ; 2 Macc. vii. 6. This asseveration chiefly relates to ver. 3, where for is put as in Matt. i. 18. Therefore in ver. 2 on denotes because [not as Engl. Yers. that], and indicates the cause of the prayer. For verse 2 was likely to obtain belief of itself without so great an asseveration [being needed ; therefore on is not = that in ver. 2.] — Xsyw, I speak ) The apostle speaks deliberately. — iv Xpitra) 3, iv, has sometimes the same force as an oath. — o£> ^s'jdo/xaj, I lie not) This is equivalent to that clause, I speak the truth. Its own confirmation is added to each [both to, I lie not , and to, I speak the truth]. This chapter throughout in its phrases and figures comes near to the Hebrew idiom. — t ruvsidiifcug , conscience) The criterion of truth lies in the conscience and in the heart , which the internal testimony of the Holy Spirit enlightens and confirms.
2. Avkti, grief \ [ heaviness ]) In spiritual things grief and (see the end of the eighth chapter) joy in the highest degree may exist together. Paul was sensible, from how great benefits, already enumerated, the Jews excluded themselves, and at the same time he declares [makes it evident], that he does not say those things, which he has to say, in an unfriendly spirit towards his persecutors. — / ioi — r?i xuphtci /aov, to me — in my heart) These are equivalent in each half of the verse.
3. H I could wish) A verb in the imperfect tense, in- volving in it a potential or conditional signification, involving the condition, if Christ would permit. His grief was unceasing [continual], but this prayer does not seem here to be asserted as unceasing, or absolute. Human words are not fully adequate to include in them [to express fully] the emotions of holy souls ; nor are those emotions always the same ; nor is it in the power
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