as far as it can be done. — %«/) and ; for Int. Elegantly : for both halves of the verse flow from the same holy affection (feeling). — sav utfoorg/X^ra/) The Heb., I think, may be thus inter preted : Lo, if a soul draw itself back., the soul of that man (of him, namely, who draws himself back) is not right (nor pleasing) with regard to Him (namely, who was seen [the subject of the prophet's vision] or promised) ; but the just, in the faith of that (viz. promise), shall live. Comp. Mark xvi. 16. The word npsy is a metaphor, taken from those who hide themselves in dark caves. See Sam. Petiti var. lect., c. 13.
39. Ovx stftsv, we are not) A polite expression, according to the style of Paul, Rom. viii. 12, note. — farodroXifc) corresponds to •j'TToffrsiXTjrai, ver. 38. — g/£ avuXsiav, unto destruction) They perish, who do not approve their souls unto GOD. — g/j irepiiroiTiffiv -4^%5j£, unto the saving of the soul) It corresponds to, shall live, ver. 38.
1. "EOT/ ds -TT/ffng, nov) faith is) This is resumed from ch. x. 39. And the apostle gives in this passage that definition of faith, which is most suitable to his purpose of confirming the minds of the brethren. — sXwifyf&evuv ixTroffrafftg, ^pay^druv s'Xsy^oc ou /SXg- CTO///SVWV, the substance of those things which are hoped for, the proof of things which are not seen) Things which are hoped for, are the species ; things ivhich are not seen, are the genus : for the former are merely future and pleasant to us ; the latter also are past or present, and either pleasant or painful to ourselves or others, ver. 3, 7, 8, 27, 29. Whence the two clauses of this verse, in which there is an Asyndeton (absence of the copulative conjunction), have a gradation. Moreover, as the things which are not seen are to the things which are hoped for, so is the proof of the things to the substance ; and therefore faith is the suit- stance by which the future things, that are hoped for, are repre sented (vividly realized), or are set before us as present : and the same (faith) is the proof of the things, by which those