light is graphically treated in Job xxiv. and runs through vv. 13-17.
21. Doeth the truth (oav ty adrjdJeav). The phrase occurs only here and in 1 John i. 6. Note the contrasted phrase, doeth evil (ver. 20). There the plural is used: doeth evil things; evil being represented by a number of bad works. Here the singular, the truth, or truth; truth being re- garded as one, and “including in a supreme unity all right deeds.” There is also to be noted the different words for do- ing in these two verses: doeth evil (3rpdoowv); doeth truth (roy). The latter verb contemplates the object and end of action ; the former the means, with the idea of continuity and repetition. IIpdocwv is the practice, while 7rowwyv may be the doing once for all. Thus srovety eipyvnv is to conclude a peace: mpaocew eipyyny, to negotiate a peace. So Demosthenes: “He will do (wpd&er) these things, and will accomplish them (aot noet).” In the New Testament a tendency is observable to use moveiv in a good sense, and mpdacewv in an evil sense. Compare the kindred word paws, deed or work, which occurs six times, and in four out of the six of evil doing (Matt. xvi. 27; Luke xxii. 51; Acts xix. 18; Rom. viii. 13; xii. 14; Col. iii. 9). With this passage compare especially v. 29, where the two verbs are used with the two nouns as here. Also, Rom. vii. 15, 19. Bengel says: ‘‘ Evil is restless: it is busier than truth.” In Rom. i. 32 ; ii. 3, both verbs are used of doing evil, but still with a distinction in that mpdocw is the more comprehensive term, designating the pursuit of evil as the aim of the activity.
21. Cometh to. In contrast with hateth (ver. 20). His love of the light is shown by his seeking it.
In God. The element of holy action. Notice the perfect tense, have been wrought (as Rev.) and abide.
22. The land of Judzea (rv “Iovdalay viv). Lit., the Ju- dean land. The phrase occurs only here in the New Testa- ment.