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customary among the Jews to have two names, the one Hebrew and the other Greek. They were probably partly Hebrews and partly Hellenists.

7. To the faith (Tŷ TíσTEL). Opinions differ greatly as to whether this is to be taken as meaning faith in Jesus Christ, or faith considered as Christian doctrine-the Gospel; the faith in the ecclesiastical sense. This passage and Gal. i. 23 are the strong passages in favor of the latter view; but the general usage of the New Testament, added to the fact that in both these passages the former meaning gives a good, intelligible, and perfectly consistent sense, go to confirm the former interpretation.

1. In the great majority of New Testament passages faith is clearly used in the sense of faith in Jesus Christ: "the conviction and confidence regarding Jesus Christ as the only and perfect mediator of the divine grace and of eternal life, through his work of atonement" (Meyer).

2. This interpretation is according to the analogy of such expressions as obedience of Christ (2 Cor. x. 5), where the meaning is, clearly, obedience to Christ: obedience of the truth (1 Pet. i. 22). Accordingly, faith, though it becomes in man the subjective moral power of the new life, regenerated through the power of the Spirit, is regarded objectively as a power-the authority which commands submission.

3. This interpretation is according to the analogy of the expression hearing of faith (Gal. iii. 2), which is to be rendered, not as equivalent to the reception of the Gospel, but as the report or message of faith; i.e., which treats of faith, axon, hearing being always used in the New Testament in a passive sense, and often rendered fame, rumor, report (see Matt. iv. 24; xiv. 1; Mark i. 28; John xii. 38; Rom. x. 16). Compare, also, obedience of faith (Rom. i. 5; xvi. 26), where faith is to be taken as the object, and not as the source, of the obedience; and hence is not to be explained as the obedience which springs from faith, but as the obedience rendered to faith as the authoritative impulse of the new life in Christ.

The great majority of the best modern commentators hold

that faith is to be taken as the subjective principle of Christian life (though often regarded objectively as a spiritual power), and not as Christian doctrine.

the

8. Did (Toit). Imperfect was working wonders during progress of the events described in the previous verse.

9. Synagogue. See on Church, Matt. xvi. 18.

Of the libertines. In Jerusalem, and probably in other large cities, the several synagogues were arranged according to nationalities, and even crafts. Thus we have in this verse mention of the synagogues of the Cyrenians, Alexandrians, Cilicians, and Asiatics. Libertines is a Latin word (libertini, freedmen), and means here Jews or their descendants who had been taken as slaves to Rome, and had there received their liberty; and who, in consequence of the decree of Tiberius, about 19 A.D., expelling them from Rome, had returned in great numbers to Jerusalem. They were likely to be the chief opponents of Stephen, because they supposed that by his preaching, their religion, for which they had suffered at Rome, was endangered in Jerusalem.

10. They were not able (où loxvov). See on Luke xiv. 30; xvi. 3.

11. Suborned (vπéßaλov). Only here in New Testament. The verb originally means to put under, as carpets under one's feet; hence, to put one person in place of another; to substitute, as another's child for one's own; to employ a secret agent in one's place, and to instigate or secretly instruct him.

12. They stirred up the people (ovveкivnoav Tòv Xaòv). The verb occurs only here in the New Testament. It impliest to stir up as a mass, to move them together (ovv). This is the first record of the hostility of the people toward the disciples. See ch. ii. 47.

Caught (ovvýpraσav). Used by Luke only. Better as Rev., seized. See on Luke viii. 29.

14. This Jesus of Nazareth. Contemptuous.

CHAPTER VII.

1. Then said the high-priest. "The glorified countenance of Stephen has caused a pause of surprise and admiration, which the high-priest interrupts by calling upon the accused for his defence" (Gloag).

2. Brethren. Addressing the audience generally.

Fathers. Addressing the members of the Sanhedrim.

Of glory. Outward, visible glory, as in the shekinah and the pillar of fire.

Appeared (p9n). See on Luke xxii. 43.

5. Inheritance (xλnpovoμíav). See on 1 Pet. i. 4.

Not so much as to set his foot on (ovdè ẞnua πodós). Lit., not even the stepping of a foot. From the original meaning, a pace or step, which occurs only here in the New Testament, comes the sense of a step considered as a raised place or seat, and hence a tribune or judgment-seat, which is its meaning in every other passage of the New Testament.

Possession (Kaтáσxeσiv). Only here and ver. 45. See on keep, Luke viii. 15. It denotes a permanent possession.

8. The covenant of circumcision. There is no article, and it is better omitted in rendering. He gave him a covenant, the peculiar character of which is defined by the next word

of circumcision; i.e., of which circumcision was the completion and seal.

9. Moved with envy (wσavTes). Compare Jas. iv. 1; and see on envying, Jas. iii. 14.

10. Afflictions (iewv). See on Matt. xiii. 21.

11. Sustenance (xоρтáσμатa).

See on shall be filled, Matt. v. 6.

For their cattle: fodder.

12. In Egypt (èv Aiyúπτ). But the best texts read cis AYUTTOV, into Egypt, and construe with sent forth: "he sent forth our fathers into Egypt."

13. Joseph's race. Note the repetition of the name. "A certain sense of patriotic pride is implied in it."

14. Threescore and fifteen. Lit., "in (ev) threescore and fifteen;" the idiom expressing the sum in which all the individuals were included.

17. When (xaws). Rev., more correctly, as; the word being not a particle of time, but meaning in proportion as.

18. Another (Tepos). Not merely a successor, but a monarch of a different character.

Knew not. As sixty years had elapsed since Joseph's death, and a new dynasty was coming to the throne, this may be taken literally: did not know his history and services. Some explain, did not recognize his merits.

19. Dealt subtilely (κaтaσopiσáμevos). Only here in New Testament. Lit., to employ cunning against. See on σopos, wise, Jas. iii. 13.

So that they cast out (TOû TOLEîv EKJETα). Lit., make exposed. The verb exтídnμι, to set out, or place outside, is not

uncommon in classical Greek for the exposure of a new-born child. Thus Herodotus, of Cyrus, exposed in infancy: "The herdsman's wife entreated him not to expose (exJeîvai) the babe" (i., 112). The rendering of the A. V., "so that they cast out," is correct, expressing the result, and not Pharaoh's design.

Young children (Bpépn). Incorrect. See on 1 Pet. ii. 2. Rev., rightly, babes.

Live (Swoyoveîodai). Or, be preserved alive. See on Luke (ζωογονείσθαι).

xvii. 33.

20. Time (kaipo). Better, season or juncture. seasonable" (Bengel). See on Acts i. 7.

"Sad,

Exceeding fair (ảσteîos T❖ Dew). Lit., fair unto God: a Hebrew superlative. Compare Jon. iii. 3: great unto God; A. V., exceeding great. Gen. x. 9, of Nimrod: a mighty hunter before the Lord. 2 Cor. x. 4: mighty unto God; i.e., in God's sight. 'Aoreios, fuir (only here and Heb. xi. 23), is from aσTv, a town, and means originally town-bred; hence refined, elegant, comely. The word is used in the Septuagint of Moses (Exod. ii. 2), and rendered goodly. The Jewish traditions extol Moses' beauty. Josephus says that those who met him, as he was carried along the streets, forgot their business and stood still to gaze at him.

21. Took up (åveíλeto). Used among Greek writers of taking up exposed children; also of owning new-born children. So Aristophanes: "I exposed (the child) and some other woman, having taken it, adopted (aveiλeтO) it" ("Clouds," 531). There is no reason why the meaning should be limited to took him up from the water (as Gloag).

23. It came into his heart (avéßη èπì την кaρdíav). Lit., "it arose into his heart." "There may be something in the depth of the soul which afterward emerges and ascends from that sea into the heart as into an island" (Bengel). The ex

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