Greek ; Deissmann (Neue Bibelstudien, p. 49) notes its occurrence in a papyrus of the second cent. B.c., of which the words run: ὅτι εἰσὶν ἐν τῷ κεραμεῖ ἀπὸ πέρυσι ιβ κ.τ.λ., ἡ.6., “that twelve drachmae are in the pot from last year”. This parallel is important, as showing that ἀπὸ πέρυσι does not necessarily mean “a year ago”. It must be borne in mind that St. Paul is writing from Macedonia and probably in the month of November. Now the Macedonian year, like the Jewish, began with October, so that the phrase would be strictly justifiable, ac- cording to the chronological scheme adopted in the Introd. (p. 13).
Ver, τι. νυνὶ δὲ κ.τ.λ.: but now com- plete the doing also, that as there was the readiness to will, so there may be also the completion in accordance with your ability: ἐκ τοῦ ἐχεῖν = καθὸ ἄν ἔχῃ of ver. 12 = pro facultatibus (cf. John iii. 34, ἐκ μέτρου), and not, as A.V., ‘ out of that which ye have”’.
Ver. 12, εἰ yap ἡ προθυμία κ.τ.λ.: for if the readiness is there it is accept- able according as a man has, not accord- ing as he has not; cf. ix. 7, Mark xii. 43, and Tobit iv. 8, ‘As thy substance is, give alms of it according to thine abund- ance; if thou have little, be not afraid to give alms according to that little ”,
Vv. 13,14. ov γὰρ ἵνα κ.τ.λ.: for the collection is ποί made in order that there may be relief to others, t.e., to the Judean Christians, and pressure to you, but by
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