Ver. 22. ‘EBpatot εἰσι; κἀγώ; are they Hebrews? so am I, At a later period the term 'Ἑβραῖος was not con- fined to Palestinian Jews (Eus., H.E., ii., 4, 2, ili, 4, 2), but expressed mere nationality, However in the N.T. it is used in contrast with Ἑλληνιστής (Acts vi. 1; cf. Phil. iii. 5), and denotes a Jew who retained his national language and
customs. Jerome states (de Vir. ill.) that St. Paul was born in Gischala of Galilee, but this cannot be true in the face of his own statement that he was born in Tarsus (Acts xxii. 3).---᾿Ισραηλεῖταί εἰσιν ; κἀγώ: are they Isvaelites? soamI. The term Israelite expresses the sacred character of the nation, like the term Quirites for Romans, and is always used in the Ν.Τ, as a term of praise (John i. 48, etc.).— σπέρμα ᾽Αβρ. κ.τ.λ.: are they the seed of Abraham? soamI. This is the highest dignity of all, to be an inheritor of the Messianic promises given to Abraham (cf. for the phrase Isa. xli. 8, John viii. 33, Rom. ix. 7, Gal. iii. 29). In the two parallel passages, Rom. xi. 1, Phil. iii. 5, he adds that he is of the tribe of Benja- min—a fact which probably accounts for his name ‘‘Saul” (x Sam. ix. 1). It shows how strong the Judaising party were at Corinth that he thinks it im- portant to put this proud statement of his descent in the forefront of his apology.
Ver. 23. διάκονοι Χρ. κ.τ.λ.: ave they Christ’s ministers? (as they specially claimed to be; cf. x. 7)—I speak as one beside himself (sc., as if he would say ‘this is mad boasting indeed; for what office can be higher than this?”’); I am more, t.e., 1 am that in a higher degree than they (ὑπέρ being used adverbially), as is proved by my trials in the service of the Gospel. The summary which follows is of deep interest for the student of St.
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ε Hereonly.
[τ Tim. i. 19 only.
ἔ Here only. Here only; Pss.
πολλάκις.