iii. 23, where Tisch. reads rus éav. In Col. iii. 17, West. and H., Lightfoot, and Ellicott, read é7u éay (“whatsoever ye do in word or deed”). Moreover, it is borne out by the frequent use of éay for dv after relatives (Matt. v.19; viii. 19; x. 42; xi. 27; John xv. 7). See Moulton’s “ Winer,” 2d ed., p. 390.
This rendering introduces the third question: What zs the meaning of peitov? Shall we take it as indicating yudgment or compassion on the part of God ? 2.¢. :
ist. Shall we allay the accusation of our heart by saying: “God is greater than our heart, His judgment is therefore stricter than ours; and so, apart from fellowship with Him we can have no hope;” or, as Meyer puts it,
“Only in conscious brotherly love shall we calm our hearts, for, if we do not love, our heart condemns us, and God is greater than our heart, and there is no peace for the accusing conscience :” or, again, as it is popularly in- terpreted :
“Tf our heart condemn us, then God, who is greater than our hearts, and knows all things, must not only en- dorse, but emphasize our self-accusation.” If our heart condemn, how much more God ?
Or, 2d. Shall we take weifwv as the expression of God’s compassionate love, and say, “when our heart condemns us, we shall quiet it with the assurance that we are the proved children of God, and therefore, in fellowship with a God who is greater than our heart, greater in love and compassion no less than in knowledge ?
The choice between these must be largely determined by the drift of the whole discussion, and here, therefore, we leave the textual and grammatical side of the question, and proceed to the homiletical aspect of the passage.
Generally, we may observe that the whole drift of the chap- ter is consolatory and assuring. The chapter is introduced with a burst of affectionate enthusiasm. ‘ Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us that we should be called the children of God, and such we are.” The darker shades—the origin and nature of sin; the truth that sinners are of the evil one; the hatred of the world, springing out of this radical op-