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Luk 10:42. Ἑνὸς δέ ἐστι χρεία, whereas there is need of but one thing) The antithesis is περὶ πολλά, about many things, Luk 10:41. Comp. Sir. (Ecclus.) Luk 11:11; Luk 11:10 in the Greek. This one thing seems to be said of the same kind (class, genus) as the many things. One thing (ἓν is the original, not τὸ ἓν, the one thing) in relation to the necessities of food (living), without the distracting varieties of a great feast.[103] The ΔῈ, but, twice employed, accords with this view. One needful thing, in the class (genus) of spiritual things, is equally commended [at the same time that the one needful thing in the way of food is praised], when it is termed ἡ ἀγαθὴ μερὶς, that good part: and therefore, if you refer the ἓν, one thing, to frugality in the viands of the entertainment, not only is the doctrinal lesson in the whole passage[104] not attenuated, but it is rendered the more full and fruitful by this interpretation. However, I do not dogmatically assert this view. I have said, ‘seems.’ As concerns the thing itself, the force of the sentiment is not diminished thereby.-ἀγαθὴν, good) better than Martha thought: tranquillizing, enriching.-μερίδα, portion) A metaphor from a feast.-ἐξελέξατο, hath chosen out for herself) What each soul chooses out, that it enjoys. The elect soul is accounted to have chosen the good part. So great is the goodness of the Lord towards those who are willing to receive it.-οὐκ ἀφαιρεθήσεται, shall not be taken away) Comp. Mar 4:25. The exemption from worldly service was thus confirmed to Mary.
[103] Called by the Latins “dubia cœna;” ubi dubites quid capias, where you are puzzled by the variety what to take.-ED. and TRANSL.
[104] In a similar way, ch. Luk 17:21, there is no disparagement to the truth that the kingdom of God possesses the whole inner man of believers, even though the discourse, addressed directly to the Pharisees (and not to believers), is thus to be understood: The kingdom of God and the Messiah Himself is even already near at hand and in the midst of you. So also in Php 1:21, Christ does not cease to be the life of Paul, although Paul says in that particular passage, “My life, wherein I must remain in the world for some time longer, altogether aims towards Christ as its object and mark.” There is no reason that we should try to gain for the meaning and intention of the sacred words of Scripture, which are never void of the power of the Spirit, a richness of meaning even fuller than was designed. The denial of mere human caprice and fancy is certainly better than giving scope to such exercises of religious devotion.-V. g.