Note 211 — Chapter XXVI

See the context of 1 Cor. vi. 17 for an apology for this paraphrase of κολλώμενοι.

[212] "In business" gives perhaps too special a direction to the thought, as we use the word "business" now. Not that that special direction would not have a noble truth in it, rightly understood.

[213] Literally "boiling," as a caldron on the fire.

[214] This reading, τῷ κυρίῳ, as against τῷ καιρῷ, appears to be certainly right.—Our rendering is bold; for undoubtedly "serving the Lord" meets the Greek grammar more simply. But the datives are hitherto so clearly datives of relation that we think this also must be so explained. We can only apologize for the crude compound "bond-serving" by the wish to represent the full force of δουλεύοντες.

[215] Τὴν φιλοξενίαν: we may paraphrase the article by "your hospitality," or even "Christian hospitality." But this would exaggerate the impression it represented.

[216] Διώκοντας: it seems certain that this word was suggested by the διώκοντες just before, widely different as the references are. But how shall English convey this echo?

[217] Φρονοῦντεσ: the word "thinking" does not quite rightly represent the Greek. Φρονεῖν is not "to think," in the sense of articulate reflection, but to have a mental and moral disposition, of whatever kind. A popular use of the word "to feel" fairly represents this.

[218] Lit., "not 'minding,' affecting, high things." We paraphrase, to retain the word "feeling" for φρονεῖν.

[219] Lit., "being led away with the humble (things)." Some paraphrase is necessary here.

[220] Read, ἀλλ' ἐὰν.

[221] We are aware that not seldom in the N. T. ἐν represents the Hebrew ב (of בכלם) in its familiar instrumental meaning, without any definite trace of local imagery. But where the more literal rendering has an obvious fitness it is best to retain it. Thus we render ἐν here by "by" not "in."

[222] Though the τῳ ἀγαθῳ of the Greek is certainly neuter, by its balance with τὸ κακόν.