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change in the will. In each word there is a metaphor taken from the stars, and used with singular propriety in this passage, where mention is made of lights . UapaXXayri and rpo~r\ occur in nature (see rpoxag in Job xxxviii. 33), which has a daily vicissitude of day and night, and has at one time a greater length of day, at another time a greater length of night ; but there is nothing of this kind in God. He is pure, unsullied [nothing but] Light. UapaXXayri and rporrri, variation and change , if they take place at all, take place in us, and not in the Father of lights. ’Acrora/aojua sometimes has the meaning of o/xo/w^a, likeness: for so Hesychius explains it; whence Gregory of Nazianzus uses as synonyms, ro rjjg dXn&siag hdaX^a, xai d$ro<rx/a<r/cAa, the appearance and likeness of the truth; and in Cicero, as Budseus observes, the outline of an object is opposed to its perfec- tion. But in this passage it is opposed to lights , and is therefore used more correctly; so that a-rora/a^a rpo^g is the first casting of a shadow , ichich is accompanied by a revolution. The same Hebraistic use of the genitive occurs shortly after in ver. 21, superfluity of naughtiness , from which we may infer, that there is an opposition between the words variableness and good gift ; just as shadow of turning is opposed to the expression, perfect boon . UapaXXayri denotes something greater : hence there is a gradation in the nega- tive sentence : not even the shadow of turning. This at length [this, and this only] makes up perfection; the former is good. He is more perfect who has not even the shadow of turning.
18. BovXrifoig, of His own will) with an inclination most loving, most free, most pure, most fruitful. In Hebrew 2ft, from H2ft, he willed: comp. John i. 13. J/EA?oc, mercy , 1 Pet. i. 3, corresponds with this. There is an antithesis in the words, Lust , ivhen it hath con- ceived.— uKzxvritev) begat He. Antithetical to airozvsi, bringeth forth (begetteth), ver. 15. — i )^dg, us) who believe, especially of Israel. A twofold generation is spoken of, the one opposed to the other ; and that which is in evil is described by abstract terms, that which is in good by concrete. — dXriQziag, of truth) the Gospel. — unapyfi v nva ruv aurou Krurparuv, a kind of first fruits of His creatures) We are of God by creation and generation ; His workmanship , Eph. ii. 10 ; and offspring , Acts xvii. 29. Of all His visible creatures, and they are many and great, the faithful are the first fruits , the chief and noblest part, more holy than the rest and sanctifying the rest ; and it is on this account that they (the faithful) are exercised with temptations. A kind of : There is modesty in this expression, for strictly and absolutely Christ alone is the first fruits.
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