peiqovmeqa gavr
...]
for we are persuaded
... Vulg.
confidimus
(
suademur
d)
enim.
The ground of the Apostle's request lies in the consciousness of the perfect uprightness of those with whom he identifies himself. However they might be represented so as to be in danger of losing the affection of some, he could say upon a candid review that their endeavours were pure. Such a conviction must underlie the request for efficacious intercession. The prayers of others will not avail for our neglect of duty. They help, when we have done our utmost, to supply what we have failed to do, and to correct what we have done amiss.
peiqovmeqa
] Acts 26:26
lanqavnein aujto;n touvtwn ouj peivqomai oujqevn
. The perfect is more common:
pevpeismai
Heb. 6:9; Rom. 8:38; 15:14, & c. The present seems to express a conclusion drawn from the immediate survey of the facts.
kal. sun. e[c.
] Comp.
ajgaqh;n sun. e[cein
1 Tim. 1:19; 1 Pet. 3:16;
ajprovskopon sun. e[c.
Acts 24:16. The phrase
kalh; sun.
occurs here only:
sun. ajgaqhv
is found (in addition to the places quoted) in Acts 23:1; 1 Tim. 1:5; 1 Pet. 3:21. See also
kaqara; suneivdhsi"
1 Tim. 3:9; 2 Tim. 1:3. Comp. Heb. 10:22,
sun. ponhrav
.
For
suneivdhsi"
see 9:9 Additional Note; and p. 116. The adj.
kalov"
seems to retain its characteristic sense of that which commands the respect and admiration of others. So far the word appeals to the judgment of the readers.
ejn pa'sin k. q. ajnastr.
] This clause may go either with
peiqovmeqa
or with
e[comen
, expressing the ground of the conviction: since we wish to live honestly; or describing the character of that to which the conscience testified: as wishing to live honestly. The latter connexion appears to be the more natural and simpler.
ejnpa'sin
]
in all respects, in all things
, in the points which cause misgivings, as in others. The word is neuter and not masculine. Comp. Heb. 13:4 note.
Hoc est, non ex parte sed ex toto studemus bene vivere (Herv.). The Greek Fathers take it as masculine:
a[ra oujk ejn ejqnikoi'" movnon ajlla; kai; ejn uJmi'n
(Chrys., OEcum., Theophlct.).
kalh;n
...
kalw'"
...]
an honest conscience...to live honestly
..., in the old sense of the word. Comp. 13:22 (
parakalw'
...
paraklhvsew"
); Matt. 21:41.
qevlonte"
]
desiring
and not merely being willing: Heb. 12:17. Whatever the issue might be this was the Apostle's earnest wish. Compare 1 Thess. 2:18; 2 Tim. 3:12.
ajnastrevfesqai
] Vulg.
conversari
, to enter into the vicissitudes and activities of social life. See Heb. 13:7 note.
13:19.
periss. de;
...]
Amplius autem deprecor vos hoc facere
(
hoc peto faciatis
d). The writer enforces the common request by a personal consideration,
And the more exceedingly do I exhort you to do this
... The transition from the plural to the singular, no less than the order, points to the connexion of
peris".
with
parakalw'
and not with
poih'sai
.
i{na tavc. ajpokat. uJ.
]
that I may be restored to you the sooner
, Vulg.
quo
(
ut quo
am.)
celerius restituar vobis.
The expression does not necessarily imply a state of imprisonment, which is in fact excluded by the language of Heb. 13:23, since the purpose thus declared presupposes, so far, freedom of