Word Pictures in the New Testament - David Cox

Word Pictures in the NT [Acts: Chapter 1]
with \men oun\ without any corresponding \de\ just as in 1:1
\men\ occurs alone. The combination \men oun\ is common in Acts
(27 times). Cf. Lu 3:18. The \oun\ is resumptive and refers to
the introductory verses (1:1-5), which served to connect the
Acts with the preceding Gospel. The narrative now begins. {Asked}
(\•r•t•n\). Imperfect active, repeatedly asked before Jesus
answered. {Lord} (\kurie\). Here not in the sense of "sir" (Mt
21:30), but to Jesus as Lord and Master as often in Acts
(19:5,10, etc.) and in prayer to Jesus (7:59). {Dost thou
restore} (\ei apokathistaneis\). The use of \ei\ in an indirect
question is common. We have already seen its use in direct
questions (Mt 12:10; Lu 13:23 which see for discussion),
possibly in imitation of the Hebrew (frequent in the LXX) or as a
partial condition without conclusion. See also Ac 7:1; 19:2;
21:37; 22:25. The form of the verb \apokathistan•\ is late (also
\apokathista•\) omega form for the old and common
\apokathist•mi\, double compound, to restore to its former state.
As a matter of fact the Messianic kingdom for which they are
asking is a political kingdom that would throw off the hated
Roman yoke. It is a futuristic present and they are uneasy that
Jesus may yet fail to fulfil their hopes. Surely here is proof
that the eleven apostles needed the promise of the Father before
they began to spread the message of the Risen Christ. They still
yearn for a political kingdom for Israel even after faith and
hope have come back. They need the enlightenment of the Holy
Spirit (Joh 14-16) and the power of the Holy Spirit (Ac
1:4f.).
1:7 {Times or seasons} (\chronous • kairous\). "Periods" and
"points" of time sometimes and probably so here, but such a
distinction is not always maintained. See Ac 17:26 for
\kairous\ in the same sense as \chronous\ for long periods of
time. But here some distinction seems to be called for. It is
curious how eager people have always been to fix definite dates
about the second coming of Christ as the apostles were about the
political Messianic kingdom which they were expecting. {Hath set}
(\etheto\). Second aorist middle indicative, emphasizing the
sovereignty of the Father in keeping all such matters to himself,
a gentle hint to people today about the limits of curiosity. Note
also "his own" (\idi•i\) "authority" (\exousi•i\).
1:8 {Power} (\dunamin\). Not the "power" about which they were
concerned (political organization and equipments for empire on
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