NT-EPISTLES.filter - rwp plague:

rwp@1Corinthians:4:13 @{Being defamed we intreat} (\dusphmoumenoi parakaloumen\). The participle \dusphmoumenoi\ is an old verb (in I Macc. strkjv@7:41) to use ill, from \dusphmos\, but occurs here only in the N.T. Paul is opening his very heart now after the keen irony above. {As the filth of the world} (\hs perikatharmata tou kosmou\). Literally, sweepings, rinsings, cleansings around, dust from the floor, from \perikathair\, to cleanse all around (Plato and Aristotle) and so the refuse thrown off in cleansing. Here only in the N.T. and only twice elsewhere. \Katharma\ was the refuse of a sacrifice. In strkjv@Proverbs:21:18| \perikatharma\ occurs for the scapegoat. The other example is Epictetus iii. 22,78, in the same sense of an expiatory offering of a worthless fellow. It was the custom in Athens during a plague to throw to the sea some wretch in the hope of appeasing the gods. One hesitates to take it so here in Paul, though Findlay thinks that possibly in Ephesus Paul may have heard some such cry like that in the later martyrdoms _Christiani ad leones_. At any rate in strkjv@1Corinthians:15:32| Paul says "I fought with wild beasts" and in strkjv@2Corinthians:1:9| "I had the answer of death." Some terrible experience may be alluded to here. The word shows the contempt of the Ephesian populace for Paul as is shown in strkjv@Acts:19:23-41| under the influence of Demetrius and the craftsmen. {The offscouring of all things} (\pantn peripsma\). Late word, here only in N.T., though in Tob. strkjv@5:18. The word was used in a formula at Athens when victims were flung into the sea, \peripsma hmn genou\ (Became a \peripsma\ for us), in the sense of expiation. The word merely means scraping around from \peripsa\, offscrapings or refuse. That is probably the idea here as in Tob. strkjv@5:18. It came to have a complimentary sense for the Christians who in a plague gave their lives for the sick. But it is a bold figure here with Paul of a piece with \perikatharmata\.

rwp@1Corinthians:5:6 @{Not good} (\ou kalon\). Not beautiful, not seemly, in view of this plague spot, this cancer on the church. They needed a surgical operation at once instead of boasting and pride (puffed up). \Kauchma\ is the thing gloried in. {A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump} (\mikra zum holon to phurama zumoi\). This proverb occurs _verbatim_ in strkjv@Galatians:5:9|. \Zum\ (leaven) is a late word from \ze\, to boil, as is \zumo\, to leaven. The contraction is regular (\-oei=oi\) for the third person singular present indicative. See the parables of Jesus for the pervasive power of leaven (Matthew:13:33|). Some of the members may have argued that one such case did not affect the church as a whole, a specious excuse for negligence that Paul here answers. The emphasis is on the "little" (\mikra\, note position). Lump (\phurama\ from \phura\, to mix, late word, in the papyri mixing a medical prescription) is a substance mixed with water and kneaded like dough. Compare the pervasive power of germs of disease in the body as they spread through the body.

rwp@1Corinthians:10:8 @{Neither let us commit fornication} (\mde porneumen\). More exactly, And let us cease practicing fornication as some were already doing (1Corinthians:6:11; strkjv@7:2|). The connection between idolatry and fornication was very close (see Jowett, _Epistles of Paul_, II, p. 70) and see about Baal-Peor (Numbers:25:1-9|). It was terribly true of Corinth where prostitution was part of the worship of Aphrodite. {In one day} (\mii hmeri\). An item that adds to horror of the plague in strkjv@Numbers:25:9| where the total number is 24,000 instead of 23,000 as here for one day.

rwp@2Corinthians:6:5 @{In stripes} (\en plgais\). In blows, wounds (Luke:10:30; strkjv@12:48; strkjv@Acts:16:23,33|). Our plague. {In tumults} (\en akatastasiais\). See on strkjv@1Corinthians:14:33|). Instabilities, often from politics. {In watchings} (\en agrupniais\). In sleeplessnesses, instances of insomnia. Old word, in N.T. only here and strkjv@11:27|. Paul knew all about this.

rwp@2Thessalonians:3:2 @{And that we may be delivered} (\kai hina rusthmen\). A second and more personal petition (Milligan). First aorist passive subjunctive of \ruomai\, old verb to rescue. Note change in tense from present to aorist (effective aorist). {From unreasonable and evil men} (\apo tn atopn kai ponrn anthrpn\). Ablative case with \apo\. Originally in the old Greek \atopos\ (\a\ privative and \topos\) is out of place, odd, unbecoming, perverse, outrageous, both of things and persons. \Ponros\ is from \pone\, to work (\ponos\), looking on labour as an annoyance, bad, evil. Paul had a plague of such men in Corinth as he had in Thessalonica. {For all have not faith} (\ou gar pantn h pistis\). Copula \estin\ not expressed. \Pantn\ is predicate possessive genitive, faith (article with abstract substantive) does not belong to all. Hence their evil conduct.

rwp@Acts:24:5 @{For we have found} (\heurontes gar\). Second aorist active participle of \heurisk\, but without a principal verb in the sentence. Probably we have here only a "summary of the charges against Paul" (Page). {A pestilent fellow} (\loimon\). An old word for pest, plague, pestilence, Paul the pest. In N.T. only here and strkjv@Luke:21:11| (\loimoi kai limoi\, pestilences and famines) which see. Latin _pestis_. Think of the greatest preacher of the ages being branded a pest by a contemporary hired lawyer. {A mover of insurrections} (\kinounta staseis\). This was an offence against Roman law if it could be proven. "Plotted against at Damascus, plotted against at Jerusalem, expelled from Pisidian Antioch, stoned at Lystra, scourged and imprisoned at Philippi, accused of treason at Thessalonica, haled before the proconsul at Corinth, cause of a serious riot at Ephesus, and now finally of a riot at Jerusalem" (Furneaux). Specious proof could have been produced, but was not. Tertullus went on to other charges with which a Roman court had no concern (instance Gallio in Corinth). {Throughout the world} (\kata tn oikoumenn\). The Roman inhabited earth (\gn\) as in strkjv@17:6|. {A ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes} (\prtostatn ts tn Nazrain haireses\). \Prtostats\ is an old word in common use from \prtos\ and \histmi\, a front-rank man, a chief, a champion. Here only in the N.T. This charge is certainly true. About "sect" (\hairesis\) see on ¯5:17|. \Nazraioi\ here only in the plural in the N.T., elsewhere of Jesus (Matthew:2:23; strkjv@26:71; strkjv@Luke:18:37; strkjv@John:18:5,7; strkjv@19:19; strkjv@Acts:2:22; strkjv@3:6; strkjv@4:10; strkjv@6:14; strkjv@22:8; strkjv@26:9|). The disciple is not above his Master. There was a sneer in the term as applied to Jesus and here to his followers.

rwp@John:10:5 @{A stranger} (\allotrii\). Literally, "One belonging to another" (from \allos\, opposed to \idios\). A shepherd of another flock, it may be, not necessarily the thief and robber of verse 1|. Note associative instrumental case after \akolouthsousin\ (future active indicative of \akolouthe\, verse 4|). Note the strong double negative \ou m\ here with the future indicative, though usually with the aorist subjunctive (Aleph L W have it here). They simply will not follow such a man or woman, these well-trained sheep will not. {But will flee from him} (\alla pheuxontai ap' autou\). Future middle of \pheug\ and ablative case with \apo\. They will flee as if from a wolf or from the plague. Alas and alas, if only our modern pastors had the sheep (old and young) so trained that they would run away from and not run after the strange voices that call them to false philosophy, false psychology, false ethics, false religion, false life.

rwp@Luke:10:11 @{Even the dust} (\kai ton koniorton\). Old word from \konis\, dust, and \ornumi\, to stir up. We have seen it already in strkjv@Matthew:10:14; strkjv@Luke:9:5|. Dust is a plague in the east. Shake off even that. {Cleaveth} (\kollthenta\). First aorist passive participle of \kolla\, to cling as dust and mud do to shoes. Hence the orientals took off the sandals on entering a house. {We wipe off} (\apomassometha\). Middle voice of an old verb \apomass\, to rub off with the hands. Nowhere else in the N.T. But \ekmass\, occurs in strkjv@Luke:7:38,44|. {Against you} (\Humin\). Fine example of the dative of disadvantage (the case of personal interest, the dative).

rwp@Luke:10:30 @{Made answer} (\hupolabn\). Second aorist active participle of \hupolamban\ (see strkjv@7:43|), to take up literally, and then in thought and speech, old verb, but in this sense of interrupting in talk only in the N.T. {Was going down} (\katebainen\). Imperfect active describing the journey. {Fell among robbers} (\listais periepesen\). Second aorist ingressive active indicative of \peripipt\, old verb with associative instrumental case, to fall among and to be encompassed by (\peri\, around), to be surrounded by robbers. A common experience to this day on the road to Jericho. The Romans placed a fort on this "red and bloody way." These were bandits, not petty thieves. {Stripped} (\ekdusantes\). Of his clothing as well as of his money, the meanest sort of robbers. {Beat him} (\plgas epithentes\). Second aorist active participle of \epitithmi\, a common verb. Literally, "placing strokes or blows" (\plgas\, plagues) upon him. See strkjv@Luke:12:48; strkjv@Acts:16:23; strkjv@Revelation:15:1,6,8| for "plagues." {Half-dead} (\hmithan\). Late word from \hmi\, half, and \thnsk\, to die. Only here in the N.T. Vivid picture of the robbery.

rwp@Mark:3:10 @{Pressed upon him} (\epipiptein auti\). Were falling upon him to such an extent that it was dangerous. They were not hostile, but simply intensely eager, each to have his own case attended to by Jesus. {That they might touch him} (\hina autou hapsntai\). If only that much. They hoped for a cure by contact with Christ. Aorist subjunctive. It was a really pathetic scene and a tremendous strain on Jesus. {As many as had plagues} (\hosoi eichon mastigas\). Strokes or scourges, terms used by us today as a paralytic stroke, the influenza scourge. Our word plague is from \plg\ (Latin _plaga_), from \plgnumi\, to strike a blow. Common in ancient Greek in this sense. See strkjv@Mark:5:29,34; strkjv@Luke:7:21| for the same use of \mastiges\ and also 2Macc. strkjv@9:11.

rwp@Mark:6:14 @{Heard} (\kousen\). This tour of Galilee by the disciples in pairs wakened all Galilee, for the name of Jesus thus became known (\phaneron\) or known till even Herod heard of it in the palace. "A palace is late in hearing spiritual news" (Bengel). {Therefore do these powers work in him} (\dia touto energousin hai dunameis en auti\). "A snatch of Herod's theology and philosophy" (Morison). John wrought no miracles (John:10:41|), but if he had risen from the dead perhaps he could. Songs:Herod may have argued. "Herod's superstition and his guilty conscience raised this ghost to plague him" (Gould). Our word _energy_ is this same Greek word here used (\energousin\). It means at work. Miraculous powers were at work in Jesus whatever the explanation. This all agreed, but they differed widely as to his personality, whether Elijah or another of the prophets or John the Baptist. Herod was at first much perplexed (\diporei\, strkjv@Luke:9:7| and strkjv@Mark:6:20|).

rwp@Revelation:9:2 @{Opened} (\noixen\). First aorist active indicative of \anoignumi\. With the "key" (\kleis\). {As the smoke of a great furnace} (\hs kapnos kaminou megals\). The plague of demonic locusts is here turned loose. \Kaminos\ is old word for a smelting-furnace, already in strkjv@1:15|. {Were darkened} (\eskotth\). First aorist passive indicative of \skoto\, old causative verb from \skotos\, in N.T. only here, strkjv@16:10; strkjv@Ephesians:4:18|. {By reason of} (\ek\). "Out of," as a result of (8:13|).

rwp@Revelation:16:9 @{Were scorched} (\ekaumatisthsan\). First aorist passive indicative of same verb. {With great heat} (\kauma mega\). Cognate accusative retained with the passive verb. Old word (from \kai\ to burn), in N.T. only strkjv@7:16| and here. For blaspheming the name of God see strkjv@13:6; strkjv@James:2:7; strkjv@Romans:2:24; strkjv@1Timothy:6:1|. They blamed God for the plagues. {They repented not} (\ou metenosan\). This solemn negative aorist of \metanoe\ is a refrain like a funeral dirge (9:20f.; strkjv@16:11|). In strkjv@11:13| some did repent because of the earthquake. Even deserved punishment may harden the heart. {To give him glory} (\dounai auti doxan\). Second aorist active infinitive of \didmi\, almost result. For the phrase see strkjv@11:13; strkjv@14:7; strkjv@19:7|.

rwp@Revelation:16:10 @{Upon the throne of the beast} (\epi ton thronon tou thriou\). That is Rome (13:2|). The dragon gave the beast his throne (2:13|). {Was darkened} (\egeneto eskotmen\). Periphrastic past perfect passive with \ginomai\ and \skoto\ (9:2|). Like the darkness of the Egyptian plague (Exodus:10:22|) and worse, for the effects of the previous plagues continue. {They gnawed their tongues} (\emasnto tas glssas autn\). Imperfect middle of \masaomai\, old verb (to chew), from \ma\ (to knead), only here in N.T. {For pain} (\ek tou ponou\). "Out of distress" (cf. \ek\ in strkjv@8:13|), rare sense of old word (from \penomai\ to work for one's living), in N.T. only here, strkjv@21:4; strkjv@Colossians:4:13|. See strkjv@Matthew:8:12|.