Jesus' interlocutors never tire of testing His knowledge of all kinds of theological and rabbinic wisdom. The question about the chief commandment in the Torah was precisely one of these tests. Teachers of the Torah debated at length about its central meaning and which commandments in it should be considered fundamental. Jewish tradition has preserved the story of a man who...
Jesus' interlocutors never tire of testing His knowledge of all kinds of theological and rabbinic wisdom. The question about the chief commandment in the Torah was precisely one of these tests. Teachers of the Torah debated at length about its central meaning and which commandments in it should be considered fundamental. Jewish tradition has preserved the story of a man who came to Hillel, one of the best-known teachers of the Hellenistic period, saying that he would become his disciple if Hillel could explain the essence of the Torah to him in the time he could stand on one leg. Hillel replied: “Love God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself. Everything else is only commentary. Go and learn.” Evidently, by Gospel times this teaching was already common knowledge, and the Pharisees decided to test Jesus' knowledge of the relevant tradition. In response, He puts to them a question that can be answered only by reading Holy Scripture closely and pondering its meaning, rather than merely repeating someone else's words, however full of wisdom.
He draws His interlocutors' attention to the fact that the Messiah, who according both to the sacred texts and to common belief must be a son of David, proves to be the One whom the psalmist addresses as his “lord.” The corresponding Hebrew word, like its Greek equivalent, can be translated either “Lord” or “lord,” and the Hebrew text of the psalm suggests the latter meaning more strongly. Jesus is evidently alluding here to the prophetic tradition, especially to the Book of Isaiah, where the Messiah is spoken of as One whose origin is “from the days of eternity.” Yet in the Jewish tradition of Gospel times this connection had not been traced. Such connotations of meaning were utterly unexpected by Jesus' interlocutors, and not knowing what to think or answer, they fall silent. Although the Lord does not deny the importance and, in some cases, the usefulness of tradition, He nevertheless gives first place to the ability to read a familiar text anew, with fresh eyes, and see it from a new and unexpected angle.
This is of course not merely a matter of learning to play with the meanings contained in a text. It is a matter of learning to see in the familiar what had previously gone unnoticed. The Kingdom, too, enters the world as something new, sometimes hidden behind the familiar. The ability to discern this newness in the familiar therefore also means the ability to see the Kingdom entering the world, concealed for a time behind the realities of a world not yet transfigured.
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4:6 For God hath shined in our hearts - The hearts of all those whom the god of this world no longer blinds. God who is himself our light; not only the author of light, but also the fountain of it. To enlighten us with the knowledge of the glory of God - Of his glorious love, and of his glorious image.In the face of Jesus Christ - Which reflects his glory in another manner than the face of Moses did.
4:7 But we - Not only the apostles, but all true believers.Have this treasure - Of divine light, love, glory. In earthen vessels - In frail, feeble, perishing bodies. He proceeds to show, that afflictions, yea, death itself, are so far from hindering the ministration of the Spirit, that they even further it, sharpen the ministers, and increase the fruit.That the excellence of the power, which works these in us, may undeniably appear to be of God.
4:8 We are troubled, etc - The four articles in this verse respect inward, the four in the next outward, afflictions.In each clause the former part shows the "earthen vessels;" the latter, "the excellence of the power." Not crushed - Not swallowed up in care and anxiety. Perplexed - What course to take, but never despairing of his power and love to carry us through.
4:10 Always - Wherever we go. Bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus - Continually expecting to lay down our lives like him. That the life also of Jesus might be manifested in our body - That we may also rise and be glorified like him.
4:11 For we who yet live - Who are not yet killed for the testimony of Jesus. Are always delivered unto death - Are perpetually in the very jaws of destruction; which we willingly submit to, that we may "obtain a better resurrection."
4:12 So then death worketh in us, but life in you - You live in peace; we die daily. Yet - Living or dying, so long as we believe, we cannot but speak.
4:13 Having the same spirit of faith - Which animated the saints of old; David, in particular, when he said, I believed, and therefore have I spoken - That is, I trusted in God, and therefore he hath put this song of praise in my mouth. We also speak - We preach the gospel, even in the midst of affliction and death, because we believe that God will raise us up from the dead, and will present us, ministers, with you, all his members, "faultless before his presence with exceeding joy." Salmi 116:10.
4:15 For all things - Whether adverse or prosperous. Are for your sakes - For the profit of all that believe, as well as all that preach. That the overflowing grace - Which continues you alive both in soul and body. Might abound yet more through the thanksgiving of many - For thanksgiving invites more: abundant grace.