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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadCambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges - James 2:7 - 2:7
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
7. τὸ καλὸν ὄνομα. Not the name of ‘Christian,’ as some have thought, but the name of Jesus Christ into [or in] which they had been baptized; see the first instance of baptism, Act 2:38, βαπτισθήτω ἕκαστος ὑμῶν ἐν τῷ ὀνόματι Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ εἰς ἄφεσιν τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν ὑμῶν. Usually εἰς τὸ ὄνομα, Mat 28:19; Act 8:16; 1Co 1:15, and frequently.
The use of the word βλασφημεῖν implies the divine character of the name.
τὸ ἐπικληθὲν ἐφʼ ὑμᾶς, called or invoked upon you at baptism. Comp. Jer 14:9 καὶ τὸ ὄνομά σου ἐπικέκληται ἐφʼ ἡμᾶς. See also Deu 28:10; 2Ch 6:33; 2Ch 7:14; Amo 9:12. These instances associate with the expression the thoughts of ownership and service. A freedman bore his master’s name and soldiers that of their general, especially the bodyguard of an emperor, as Augustiani, Commodiani. To these may be added Sebastianus, a soldier in the bodyguard of Diocletian (Σέβαστος being the Greek equivalent of Augustus). So Christiani, soldiers of Christ the King.