[216] Διώκοντας: it seems certain that this word was suggested by the διώκοντες just before, widely different as the references are. But how shall English convey this echo?
[217] Φρονοῦντεσ: the word "thinking" does not quite rightly represent the Greek. Φρονεῖν is not "to think," in the sense of articulate reflection, but to have a mental and moral disposition, of whatever kind. A popular use of the word "to feel" fairly represents this.
[218] Lit., "not 'minding,' affecting, high things." We paraphrase, to retain the word "feeling" for φρονεῖν.
[219] Lit., "being led away with the humble (things)." Some paraphrase is necessary here.
[220] Read, ἀλλ' ἐὰν.
[221] We are aware that not seldom in the N. T. ἐν represents the Hebrew ב (of בכלם) in its familiar instrumental meaning, without any definite trace of local imagery. But where the more literal rendering has an obvious fitness it is best to retain it. Thus we render ἐν here by "by" not "in."
[222] Though the τῳ ἀγαθῳ of the Greek is certainly neuter, by its balance with τὸ κακόν.
CHAPTER XXVII
CHRISTIAN DUTY; IN CIVIL LIFE AND OTHERWISE: LOVE