Word Pictures in the New Testament - David Cox

Word Pictures in the NT [Romans: Chapter 12].
12:18 {As much as in you lieth} (\to ex hum•n\). Accusative of
general reference, "so far as what proceeds from you" ("the from
you part"). See \to kat' eme\ in 1:15. This phrase explains "if
it be possible" (\ei dunaton\). "All _your_ part is to be peace"
(Alford). For "be at peace" (\eir•neuontes\) see 2Co 13:11.
12:19 {Avenge not} (\m• ekdikountes\). Independent participle
again of late verb \ekdike•\ from \ekdikos\, exacting justice
(13:4). See already Lu 18:5; 2Co 10:6. {But give place unto
wrath} (\alla dote topon t•i org•i\). Second aorist active
imperative of \did•mi\, to give. "Give room for the (note article
as in 5:9; 1Th 2:16) wrath" of God instead of taking vengeance
in your own hands. See Eph 4:27 for \didote topon\. Paul quotes
De 32:35 (the Hebrew rather than the LXX). So have Heb 10:30
and the Targum of Onkelos, but the relation between them and Paul
we cannot tell. Socrates and Epictetus condemned personal
vindictiveness as Paul does here. {I will recompense}
(\antapod•s•\). Future active of the double compound verb quoted
also in 11:35.
12:20 {Feed him} (\ps•mize auton\). Quotation from LXX text of
Pr 25:21f. Present active imperative of verb from \ps•mos\, a
morsel, and so to feed crumbs to babies, then to feed in general.
In N.T. only here and 1Co 13:3. {Thou shalt heap}
(\s•reuseis\). Future active of old verb \s•reu•\ from \s•ros\, a
heap. In N.T. only here and 2Ti 3:6. {Coals of fire}
(\anthrakas puros\). That is, burning or live coals. {Anthrax}
(our "anthracite") is an old word, only here in N.T. It is a
metaphor for keen anguish. The Arabs have a proverb "coals in the
heart," "fire in the liver." Such kindness may lead to repentance
also.
12:21 {Be not overcome of evil} (\m• nik• hupo tou kakou\).
Present passive imperative of \nika•\, to conquer. "Stop being
conquered by the evil (thing or man)," {But overcome evil with
good} (\alla nika en t•i agath•i to kakon\). "But keep on
conquering the evil in the good." Drown the evil in the good.
Seneca: _Vincit malos pertinax bonitas_.
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Word Pictures in the New Testament
(Romans: Chapter 12)