Philippian Studies Part 15

So _Corinthiensis_ means not a born Corinthian but a settler at Corinth.--Greek tends to represent a Latin syllable -_ens_ by -_es_: so _Klemes_, _Clemens_.

[6] See Acts xvii. 1-15.

[7] On the Egnatian road. He made three stages of the distance; Amphipolis, Apollonia, Thessalonica.

[8] _Ton karpon ton pleonazonta eis logon hymon_. I venture to render these words as above, as a monetary phrase, relating to princ.i.p.al and interest. It is true that _karpos_ is not found used in the sense of interest, for which the regular word is _tokos_. But it would easily fit into the language of the money-market. And St Chrysostom's comment here seems to show that he, a Greek, understood it thus: _horas hoti ekeinois ho karpos tiktetai_ (_tokos_).

[9] For _osme euodias_ see Eph. v. 2. The phrase is common in the Septuagint to render the Hebrew "savour of rest," the fume of the altar pictorially represented as smelt by the Deity.

[10] This reference of _doxa_ seems better than that which would connect it only with the eternal future, the glory of heaven, and make the sentence mean that He would hereafter requite them there. He would indeed do so. But the phrase _pleroun pasan chreian_ hardly suggests that thought here.

[11] "Bishop Lightfoot . . . (_Philippians_, pp. 171-178) has shewn with great fulness of proof that 'the household of Caesar' was a term embracing a vast number of persons, not only in Rome but in the provinces, all of whom were either actual or former slaves of the Emperor, filling every possible description of office more or less domestic. The Bishop ill.u.s.trates his statements from the . . . burial inscriptions of members of the 'Household' found . . . near Rome. . . .

These inscriptions afford a curiously large number of coincidences _with the list in Rom. xvi._ . . . Amplias, Urba.n.u.s, Apelles, Tryphaena, Tryphosa, Patrobas, Philologus. . . . Bishop Lightfoot infers from this whole evidence the great probability that the 'saints'

greeted in Rom. xvi. were, on the whole, the same 'saints' who here send greeting _from_ Rome. . . . Their a.s.sociations and functions, not only in the age of Nero but in the precincts of his court, and probably (for many of them) within the chambers of his palace, give a n.o.ble view in pa.s.sing of the power of grace to triumph over circ.u.mstances, and to transfigure life where it seems most impossible" (Note in _The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges_). See also the writer's commentary on the Ep. to the Romans (_Expositor's Bible_), pp. 423-425.

[12] Read _meta tou pneumatos huon_, not _m. panton humon_.

THE PRAETORIAN AND THE APOSTLE

ACTS xxviii. 16, 31

"Paul was suffered to dwell by himself with a soldier that kept him. . . . preaching the kingdom of G.o.d, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ."

(THE SOLDIER loquitur.)

Father, the dawn is near! the shield Of Luna sinks remote and pale O'er Tiber and the Martial field; The breeze awakes; the cressets fail: This livelong night from set of sun Here have we talk'd: thy task is done.

But yesterday I smil'd or frown'd To watch thy audience, soon and late, With scroll and style embattl'd round In barbarous accents ply debate; While this would chide, and that would start Sudden, as sword-struck in the heart.

I laugh'd aside, or, tir'd, withdrew From the strange sound in waking dreams To Umbrian hills--the home I knew-- The cottage by Mevania's streams: 'Twas hush'd at length: the guests were flown, And thou wast left and I alone.

Thou hast forgiven (I know thee now) The insults of this heathen tongue; The taunting questions why and how; The songs (oh madness!) that I sung: Thou hast forgiv'n the hateful strain Of dull defiance and disdain.

Thy gaze, thy silence, they compell'd My own responsive: aw'd I stood Before thee; soften'd, search'd, and quell'd; The evil captive to the good: Half conscious, half entranc'd, I heard (While the stars mov'd) thy conquering word.

These ears were dull to Grecian speech, This heart more dull to aught but sin; Yet the great Spirit bade thee reach, Wake, change, exalt, the soul within: I've heard; I know; thy Lord, ev'n He, JESUS, hath look'd from heaven on me.

Thou saw'st me shake, and (spite of pride) Weep on thy hand: so stern thy truth: I own'd the terrors that abide Dread sequel to a rebel's youth: But soon I pour'd a happier shower To learn thy Saviour's dying power.

Ah, speechless, rapt, I bent, to know Each wonder of that fateful day When midst thy zeal's terrific glow He met thee on the Syrian way: I saw, I felt, the scene: my soul Drank the new bliss, the new control.

Father, the dawn is risen! the hour Is near, too near, when from this hand Thy chain must fall--from yonder tower Another guard must take my stand: The City stirs: I go, to meet The foe, the world, in camp and street;

A Christian--yes, for ever now A Christian: so our Leader keep My faltering heart: to Him I bow, His, whether now I wake or sleep: In peace, in battle, His:--the day Breaks in the east: oh, once more pray!

1869.

BY THE SAME AUTHOR.

THE EPISTLE TO THE ROMANS.

COLOSSIAN STUDIES.

EPHESIAN STUDIES.

TO MY YOUNGER BRETHREN ON PASTORAL LIFE AND WORK.

OUTLINES OF CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE. (In the _Theological Educator_ Series.) VENI CREATOR: THOUGHTS ON THE HOLY SPIRIT OF PROMISE. Third Edition.

LIFE IN CHRIST AND FOR CHRIST.

"NEED AND FULNESS."

"PATIENCE AND COMFORT."

THOUGHTS ON CHRISTIAN SANCt.i.tY.

THOUGHTS ON UNION WITH CHRIST.

THOUGHTS ON THE SPIRITUAL LIFE.

SECRET PRAYER.

"AT THE HOLY COMMUNION." Thoughts for Preparation and Communion.

"THE PLEDGE OF HIS LOVE." Thoughts on the Lord's Supper.

THE NEW BIRTH. A Brief Enquiry and Statement.

THE CLEANSING BLOOD. A Study of 1 John i. 7.

JUSTIFYING RIGHTEOUSNESS.

THE CHRISTIAN AND THE WORLD.

THE NET AND THE DELIVERANCE.

A MORNING ACT OF FAITH.

THE CHRISTIAN'S OWN CALENDAR OF PERSONAL AND FAMILY EVENTS.

With an Introduction by Rev. H. C. G. MOULE.

PRAYERS FOR THE HOME.

THE CHRISTIAN'S VICTORY OVER SIN.

"GRACE AND G.o.dLINESS." Chapters on Ephesians.

"CHRIST IS ALL." Sermons.

COMMENTARIES ON THE ROMANS; EPHESIANS; PHILIPPIANS; COLOSSIANS in the _Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges_; and on the PHILIPPIANS in the _Cambridge Greek Testament_.

Also on the ROMANS in the _Expositor's Bible_.

"BETWEEN MY LORD AND ME." A Card containing Morning and Evening Acts of Faith and Devotion.

CHARLES SIMEON. (In _English Leaders of Religion_.) BISHOP RIDLEY ON THE LORD'S SUPPER. A Reprint from the Original Edition, with Life of Ridley, Notes, Appendices, etc., and Ill.u.s.trations.

"IN THE HOUSE OF THE PILGRIMAGE." Hymns and Sacred Songs.