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2Co 4:4. Ἐν οἷς, as concerns whom, [in whom])-ὁ θεὸς τοῦ αἰῶνος τούτου, the god of this world) A great, but awful description of Satan [corresponding to his great but awful work, mentioned here.-V. g.], comp. Eph 2:2, respecting the fact itself: and Php 3:9, respecting the term. Who would otherwise think, that he could in the case of men obstruct so great a light [as that which the Gospel affords]? But there is somewhat of a mimesis;[19] for those that perish, especially the Jews, think, that they have God, and know Him. The ancients construed ΤΟῦ ΑἸῶΝΟς ΤΟΎΤΟΥ with ΤῶΝ ἈΠΊΣΤΩΝ, as if it were, the unbelievers of this world, in order that they might give the greater opposition to the Manicheans and the Marcionites.[20]-τοῦ αἰῶνος τούτου, of this world) He says, of this, for the devil will not be able always to assail.-ἐτύφλωσε, blinded) not merely veiled [ch. 2Co 3:14-15].-τῶν ἀπίστων, of them who believe not) An epithet,[21] by supplying the relative pronoun ἐκείνων, of them; for among those, that perish, are chiefly those, who, though they have heard, do not believe. The Gospel is received by faith unto salvation.-εἰς τὸ μὴ αὐγάσαι[22]) lest should shine.-τὸν φωτισμὸν τοῦ εὐαγγελίου, Κ.Τ.Λ., the enlightening [illumination] of the Gospel, etc.) He afterwards calls it the enlightening of the knowledge, etc.-φωτισμὸς, enlightening, is the reflection or propagation of rays from those, who are enlightened, for the purpose of enlightening more. The Gospel and knowledge are correlatives, as cause and effect.-τῆς δόξης, of the glory) 2Co 3:18, note.-εἰκὼν τοῦ Θεοῦ, the image of God) From this we may sufficiently understand how great is the glory of Christ, v. 6; 1Ti 6:15. He, who sees the Son, sees the Father, in the face of Christ. The Son exactly represents and reflects the Father.
[19] See Append. Allusion to an opponent’s words or sentiments.
[20] Both which sects regarded matter as essentially evil and under the power of the devil, which the rendering, god of this world, seemed to sanction.-ED.
[21] Beng. would make it thus, The unbelieving lost, spoken of above.
[22] The Germ. Ver. also exhibits the pronoun αὐτοῖς, which is more highly esteemed in the margin of the 2d Ed. than in the larger Ed.-E. B.
ABCD corrected, G Vulg. f Orig. Iren. omit αὐτοῖς. Except one passage of Origen there is none of the oldest authorities in support of it.-ED.