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4. ὅσα γὰρ κ.τ.λ. γὰρ in a manner apologises for a not very obvious quotation, and S. Paul takes the opportunity of insisting on the value of O.T. for Christians.
προεγράφη. Cf. Rom 1:2; Eph 1:12 τοὺς προηλπικότας; Gal 3:8.
εἰς τὴν κ.τ.λ. ‘With a view to’—this was their purpose; cf. 2Ti 3:16.
ἡμετέραν. ‘Of us Christians.’ διδασκαλίαν, teaching, instruction. So perhaps always in N.T. (not = doctrine).
διὰ τῆς ὑ. κ. διὰ τ. π. τ. γρ. ‘By the endurance and by the encouragement of the scriptures.’ The repetition of διὰ seems to separate the two phrases and limit τῶν γρ. to the second (not so, Gif., Lid.): then = by means of the steadfast endurance proper to the Christian and with the help of the encouragement afforded by the scriptures. If, on the other hand, we connect both subst. with τῶν γραφῶν it is difficult to find a clear meaning for the first: Lid. “the patience of which the O.T. gives such bright examples”; Gif. “the patience is that which the scriptures give”; both seem strained. The two subst. have a special reference here to the ‘burdens to be borne.’
τὴν ἐλπίδα. The Christian attitude of hope. ἔχωμεν = maintain—the proper durative sense; cf. Rom 5:1. Moulton, p. 110. This statement of the use of the O.T. scriptures must be compared with 2Ti 3:16 : they imply (1) that the O.T. has a permanent value for the Christian, (2) that that value is two-fold, (a) for instruction, discipline and encouragement of the Christian, (b) as witnessing to Christ in whom is the Christian hope. The statements do not go beyond this, S. H.; cf. Lid.