Word Pictures in the New Testament - David Cox

Word Pictures in the NT [Luke: Chapter 12]
The language reminds one of Ex 2:14. Jesus is rendering unto
Caesar the things of Caesar (Lu 20:25) and shows that his
kingdom is not of this world (Joh 18:36). The word for divider
or arbiter (\merist•s\) is a late word from \merizomai\ (verse
13) and occurs here only in the N.T.
12:15 {From all covetousness} (\apo pas•s pleonexias\). Ablative
case. From every kind of greedy desire for more (\pleon\, more,
\hexia\, from \ech•\, to have) an old word which we have robbed
of its sinful aspects and refined to mean business thrift. {In
the abundance of the things which he possesseth} (\en t•i
perisseuein tini ek t•n huparchont•n aut•i\). A rather awkward
Lukan idiom: "In the abounding (articular infinitive) to one out
of the things belonging (articular participle) to him."
12:16 {A parable unto them} (\parabol•n pros autous\). The
multitude of verses 13,15. A short and pungent parable
suggested by the covetousness of the man of verse 13. {Brought
forth plentifully} (\euphor•sen\). Late word from \euphoros\
(bearing well), in medical writers and Josephus, here only in the
N.T.
12:17 {Reasoned within himself} (\dielogizeto en haut•i\).
Imperfect middle, picturing his continued cogitations over his
perplexity. {Where to bestow} (\pou sunax•\). Future indicative
deliberative, where I shall gather together. {My fruits} (\tous
karpous mou\). So it is with the rich fool: my fruits, my barns,
my corn, my goods, just like Nabal whose very name means fool
(1Sa 25:11), whether a direct reference to him or not.
12:18 {I will pull down} (\kathel•\). Future active of
\kathaire•\, an old verb, the usual future being \kathair•s•\.
This second form from the second aorist \katheilon\ (from
obsolete \hel•\) like \aphelei\ in Re 22:19. {My barns} (\mou
tas apoth•kas\). From \apotith•mi\, to lay by, to treasure. So a
granary or storehouse, an old word, six times in the N.T. (Mt
3:12; 6:26; 13:30; Lu 3:17; 12:18,24). {All my corn} (\panta ton
siton\). Better grain (wheat, barley), not maize or Indian corn.
{My goods} (\ta agatha mou\). Like the English, my good things.
So the English speak of goods (freight) train.
12:19 {Laid up for many years} (\keimena eis et• polla\). Not in
D and some other Latin MSS. The man's apostrophe to his "soul"
(\psuch•\) is thoroughly Epicurean, for his soul feeds on his
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