Word Pictures in the New Testament - David Cox

Word Pictures in the NT [Romans: Chapter 14].
\kalon estin\ (copula, understood). {Flesh} (\kreas\). Old word,
in N.T. only here and 1Co 8:13. {To drink} (\pein\). Shortened
form for \piein\ (second aorist active infinitive of \pin•\).
{Whereby} (\en h•i\). "On which thy brother stumbleth"
(\proskoptei\).
14:22 {Have thou to thyself before God} (\su--kata seauton eche
en•pion tou theou\). Very emphatic position of \su\ at the
beginning of the sentence, "Thou there." The old MSS. put \h•n\
(relative "which") after \pistin\ and before \echeis\. This
principle applies to both the "strong" and the "weak." He is
within his rights to act "according to thyself," but it must be
"before God" and with due regard to the rights of the other
brethren. {In that which he approveth} (\en hoi dokimazei\). This
beatitude cuts both ways. After testing and then approving
(1:28; 2:18) one takes his stand which very act may condemn
himself by what he says or does. "It is a rare felicity to have a
conscience untroubled by scruples" (Denney).
14:23 {He that doubteth} (\ho diakrinomenos\). Present middle
participle of \diakrin•\, to judge between (\dia\), to hesitate.
See Jas 1:6f. for this same picture of the double-minded man.
Cf. Ro 4:20; Mr 11:23. {Is condemned} (\katakekritai\). Perfect
passive indicative of \katakrin•\ (note \kata-\), "stands
condemned." {If he eat} (\ean phag•i\). Third class condition,
\ean\ and second aorist active subjunctive. If in spite of his
doubt, he eat. {Whatsoever is not of faith is sin} (\pan ho ouk
ek piste•s hamartia estin\). {Faith} (\pistis\) here is
subjective, one's strong conviction in the light of his relation
to Christ and his enlightened conscience. To go against this
combination is sin beyond a doubt. Some MSS. (A L etc.) put the
doxology here which most place in 16:25-27. But they all give
chapters 15 and 16. Some have supposed that the Epistle
originally ended here, but that is pure speculation. Some even
suggest two editions of the Epistle. But chapter 15 goes right on
with the topic discussed in chapter 14.
[Table of Contents]
[Previous] [Next]
http://www.ccel.org/r/robertson_at/wordpictures/htm/RO14.RWP.html (5 of 5) [28/08/2004 09:09:33 a.m.]
Word Pictures in the New Testament
(Romans: Chapter 14)