mean cutting in the literal sense (xeap, the heart is cut, meta phorically, by xeprofAiav), nor xaivorop'scij, PV/AOTO{ASU idvrofiog oJ/&og. The literal meaning and force of the opdos is rather to be re tained in opQoro/jLoiivra : for in the passages quoted [where bpSoro^v is in the LXX,] we find the Hebrew word "it^, and this form of the verb might have been expressed by the same Greek verb in 2 Chron. xxxii. 30, concerning a water-course, and Ps. cxix. 128, concerning the Divine word itself. Therefore the meaning of Paul is, that Timothy may prepare a right course (may make ready a straight way) for the word of truth, and may himself walk straight forward according to this line, turning neither to the right nor to the left hand, teaching no other doctrine, 1 Tim. i. 3 ; and in this view the antithesis of the word, will go forward,1 which presently occurs, ver. 16, is more clearly perceived. — rbv X6yov rr\g aXqdsias, the word of truth) The anti thesis occurs presently after, x.zvo<puvia,g, of which the first part of the compound, signifying empty, is opposed to truth («X>j0£/a$) ; the last part, involving vehemence of voice, is opposed to the temperate word (rbv Xoyov).
16. Tag de) So ver. 21, 22, by Anaphora [The frequent repe tition of words at beginnings. Append.]. Therefore profane vain babblings, which maintain great errors, differ from questions (1 Tim. vi. 4) about things not worth a straw ; the former are pernicious, the latter useless (unprofitable), Tit. iii. 9. — Trsp/iVrarfo) The same word, ibid. : in which ffspl elegantly means the same thing, as in ffsp/yivo^ai ; but Kepiyivo/Aai [I am over and above, I overcome, I get the better of another] denotes the act of separat ing and overcoming ; Kspitarapai, the state. Timothy had never entangled himself; therefore Paul exhorts him to continued stedfastness : remain thou separate. — \<xl crXs/bi/ affs(3siag) to a greater degree of ungodliness. So IKI cr?,g/bv KaKt'ag Kpofiaivuv, to advance more in vice. — Diodorus Siculus quoted by Pricseus. — ffpoKo-^ovct, they shall go forward) namely, those who give utter ance to such vain babblings. To this subject (' those') we also are to refer the word their, ver. 17. There is in it a Mimesis,2
w, Engl. Vers., " will increase." The metaphor is from pioneers clearing the way before an army, by cutting down all obstacles : TTjoo and XOTTTM ; hence, to make progress, to advance. — ED.
2 An allusion to the language which those seducers used. They no