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Rev_18:6-8. Now the one speaking in God’s name[3939] turns to those who are to execute his judgment of wrath upon the great city: ἀποδότε αὐτῇ , κ . τ . λ . She is to be rewarded,[3940] and that, too, doubly;[3941] i.e., she is to suffer for her sins, now the corresponding, entirely complete punishment; and just as she had glorified herself, and lived in arrogant wantonness, so is there now much pain and sorrow to be given her.[3942] The determination of the degree (Rev_18:7), ὅσα
τοσοῦτον ,[3943] which expresses the idea of strict justice, throws the true light upon the more rhetorical presentation in διπλώσατε , διπλᾶ , διπλοῦν . Even at the beginning ( ἀπόδοτε , κ . τ . λ .), the equality of guilt and punishment was designated;[3944] the very expression ἈΠΈΔΩΚΕΝ is explained by the fact that it is to correspond to the ἈΠΌΔΟΤΕ ΑὐΤῇ .
The transformation of proud security into the deepest sorrow represented in striking antithesis (Rev_18:7 a) is further intensified by what succeeds in Rev_18:7 b and Rev_18:8. As the foundation of the ὅσα ἑδόξασεν , the arrogant speech which the woman carries in her heart, is stated: she boasts, because of her sovereignty over the world,[3945] that “she is enthroned as a queen,[3946] not as a widow,” but, as a prolific mother, she is the mistress of many cities[3947] and nations,[3948] and is confident that she “shall never see sorrow,” i.e., learn to know it by experience,[3949] especially by the death of her children.[3950] But in sharp contrast with this confident pride is opposed the threatening occasioned by it:[3951] on “one day”[3952] shall her plagues come, and that, too, not only “death,” which makes her a widow, but also “mourning,” which she thought that she would never experience, and hunger, instead of her inordinate luxury.
καὶ ἐν πυρὶ κατακ . Cf. Rev_17:16.
ὅτι ἱσχυρὸς , κ . τ . λ . The pledge for the infallible execution of the threat; cf. Rev_1:8.[3953]
ὁ κρίνας αὐτήν . Incorrectly interpreted by the poor var., κρίνων . For the judgment is already fulfilled to such an extent that in the threat just expressed, the punishment on the part of the judge is already determined.
[3939] Cf. the final formula, Rev_18:8.
[3940] Cf. Rev_16:5 sqq., Rev_14:8 sqq., Rev_11:18.
[3941] Cf. Isa_40:2.
[3942] Cf. Amo_8:10.
[3943] On the form of the expression, cf. Rom_6:10; Gal_2:20.
[3944] ὡς καὶ αὐτὴ ἁπέδ . Cf. Rev_14:10.
[3945] Cf. Rev_17:18.
[3946] Cf. Isa_47:7.
[3947] Cf. Rev_17:5.
[3948] Cf. Isa_17:8.
[3949] Joh_8:51 sqq.
[3950] πένθος , lamentation for the dead. Cf. Gen_27:41; Gen_1:10 sqq.; Amo_8:10. Ew. ii.
[3951] διὰ τοῦτο , like the ancient prophetical ìÈëÅï e.g., Mic_2:2; Mic_3:6; Amo_3:11; Amo_5:13; Amo_5:16.
[3952] Cf. Isa_47:9.
[3953] Amo_4:13; Amo_5:27.