m the law, as of being born, so also of begetting ; and your parents, by supporting you, have bound you, if you have any shame, to pay the debt of bringing up grandchildren (for them). — Yal. Max., 1. 2, c. 4. But the word pavQavtruffav, let them
mm, and its plural number, shows that the matter under dis cussion, is the duty of children and grandchildren. Therefore the widow in ver. 5, who has no children, is opposed to the widow who has children, because the former has no one from whom she can receive requital, and she therefore has her hopes placed solely in God.
5. Mspovup'evri) desolate (reduced to desolation). The idea of the word yj]f>a, signifying orbity [bereavement], is here un folded. — %X-7rixsv, hath put her trust) The antithesis is in ver. 4.
og/j,£vsi rate, derifctff, continueth instant in supplications) The antithesis is in ver. 6.
6. 2caraXw<ra) She that liveth in pleasure (luxuriously). James v. 5, erpvpfaare xai effiraTaXfaare. Hesychius explains
aXa, as rpupcc. — £w<ra rttvqxe, though living, she is dead) This remark may be applied to any ungodly man, although he may be actively engaged in the business of life, but especially to a widow devoted to pleasure. Although she seems to her own self still to enjoy life, yet she is dead while she lives, because she is now no longer of benefit (profitable or serviceable), either naturally or spiritually, and therefore she deserves no honour (ver. 3, i.e. no share in the public maintenance).
7. TaDra, these things) which have been just now spoken. — udiv, may be) viz. true widows.
8. 'idiuv, his own) even out of his house. — ruv olxstuv, those of his own house) Such even especially as the mother or lonely (helpless) widow, at home, ver. 4. Many parents make this an excuse for their avarice ; but this passage chiefly treats of the duty of grandchildren, which ought to flow from love, riot to be opposed to faith. — ou -rpovog/; does not provide) with food and necessary clothing. — r^v vicriv fyvqrat, has denied the faith) Paul hopes that there will be no one among Christians who does not provide for his mother. Faith does not set aside natural duties, but perfects and strengthens them. — aniffrov, an infidel) whom even nature teaches this, although he has never embraced the faith.
9. KaraXgyg<r0w) let not a widow be taken into the number.-—