Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadHeinrich Meyer Commentary - 1 Peter 4:15 - 4:15
(Show All Books | Show All Chapters)
This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
1Pe_4:15. With reference to the assumption contained in what precedes—whether expressed in the clause εἰ ὀνειδίζεσθε … ἀναπαύεται , or in the doubtful adjunct κατὰ δὲ ὑμᾶς δοξάζεται —the apostle by way of explanation adds the following warning: μὴ γάρ τις ὑμῶν πασχέτω ὡς φονεὺς κ . τ . λ .] The particle γάρ does not here assign a reason, it gives an explanation: “that is to say,”[257] “that is, let none of you suffer as a murderer;” Ὡς ΦΟΝΕΎς , i.e. because he is a murderer. The two special conceptions, φονεύς and ΚΛΈΠΤΗς , are followed by the more general ΚΑΚΟΠΟΙΌς , in order that every other kind of crime may be therein included. These three conceptions belong very closely to each other, for which reason Ὡς is not repeated. On the other hand, the fourth conception, ἈΛΛΟΤΡΙΟΕΠΊΣΚΟΠΟς , is, by the prefixed Ὡς , distinguished from the others as entirely independent. Etymologically, this word denotes one who assumes to himself an oversight of other people’s affairs with which he has nothing to do. The consciousness of a higher dignity could easily betray the Christian into such a presumption, which must make him all the more odious to strangers. Oecumenius takes the word as equivalent to Ὁ ΤᾺ ἈΛΛΌΤΡΙΑ ΠΕΡΙΕΡΓΑΖΌΜΕΝΟς ; Calvin, Beza, etc., to, alieni cupidus, appetens; Pott, to, “a disturber of the public peace.” But all these interpretations are not in harmony with the etymology of the word.
[257] Calvin: Particula causalis hic supervacua non est, quum velit Ap. causam reddere, cur tantum ad societatem passionum Christi hortatus sit fideles et simul per occasionem eos monere, ut juste et innoxie vivant, ne justas sibi poenas aruessant propria culpa.—Erasmus rightly remarks: non enim cruciatus martyrem facit, sed causa.