This attitude of God toward the world is in suggestive con- trast with that in which the gods of paganism are represented. Thus Juno says to Vulcan:
‘¢ Dear son, refrain: it is not well that thus A god should suffer for the sake of men.” “ liad,” xxi., 379, 380.
And Apollo to Neptune:
‘6 Thou would’st not deem me wise, should I contend With thee, O Neptune, for the sake of men, Who fiourish like the forest-leaves awhile, And feed upon the fruits of earth, and then Decay and perish. Let us quit the field, And leave the combat to the warring hosts.” ‘“‘Tliad,” xxi., 461, 467.
Man has no assurance of forgiveness even when he offers the sacrifices in which the gods especially delight. ‘‘ Man’s sin and the divine punishment therefor are certain; forgiveness is uncertain, dependent upon the arbitrary caprice of the gods. Human life is a life without the certainty of grace” (Nagels- bach, “‘ Homerische Theologie”). Mr. Gladstone observes: ‘“ No Homeric deity ever will be found to make a personal sacrifice on behalf of a human client” (‘“ Homer and the Homeric Age,” ii, 372).
17. Sent (améarenev). See oni. 6. Sent rather than gave (ver. 16), because the idea of sacrifice is here merged in that of authoritative commission.
His Son. The best texts read tov, the, for avdtod, his.
Condemn (xpivn). Better, as Rev., judge. Condemn is kataxpiva, not used by John (Matt. xx. 18; Mark x. 33, etc.). The verb «pivw means, originally, to separate. So Homer, of Ceres separating the grain from the chaff (“ Iliad,” v., 501). Thence, to distinguish, to pick out, to be of opinion, to judge. See on Hypocrite, Matt. xxiii. 13.