(1 Cor. xii. 4). Not the sevenfold gifts of the Spirit are meant, but the divine Personality who imparts them; the one Spirit under the diverse manifestations. Richard of St. Victor (cited by Trench, “Seven Churches”) says: “And from the seven Spirits, that is, from the sevenfold Spirit, which indeed is simple in nature, sevenfold in grace.”
5. Jesus Christ. The Son. Placed after the Spirit be- cause what is to follow in vv. 5-8 relates to Him. This is ac- cording to John’s manner of arranging his thoughts so that a new sentence shall spring out of the final thought of the pre- ceding sentence. Compare the Prologue of the Gospel, and vv. 1, 2, of this chapter.
The faithful witness (0 wdptus 6 muctds). For the phrase- ology see on 1 John iv. 9. For witness, see on Johni. 7; 1 Pet. v.1. As applied to the Messiah, see Ps. ]xxxix. 37; Isa. lv. 4. The construction again departs from the grammatical rule. The words witness, first-born, ruler, are in the nomina- tive case, instead of being in the genitive, in apposition with Jesus Christ. This construction, though irregular, nevertheless gives dignity and emphasis to these titles of the Lord. See on ver. 4. The word mucrés, faithful is used (1), of one who shows Himself faithful in the discharge of a duty or the ad- ministration of a trust (Matt. xxiv. 45; Luke xii. 42). Hence, trustworthy (1 Cor. vii. 25; 2 Tim. ii. 2). Of things that can be relied upon (1 Tim. iii. 1; 2 Tim. ii. 11). (2), Conjideng ; trusting ; a believer (Gal. iii. 9; Acts xvi. 1; 2 Cor. vi. 15; 1 Tim. v.16). See on1Johni. 9. The word is combined with adnSivés, true, genuine in ch. iii. 14; xix. 11; xxi. 55 xxii. 6. Richard of St. Victor (cit. by Trench) says: “ A fazthful witness, because He gave faithful testimony concerning all things which were to be testified to by Him in the world. A faithful witness, because whatever He heard from the Father, He faithfully made known to His disciples. A faithful wit- ness, because He taught the way of God in truth, neither did He care for any one nor regard the person of men. A faithful witness, because He announced condemnation to the reprobate