Vincent's Word Studies in the New Testament

Top Highlights

“Joint-heirs. Roman law made all children, including adopted ones, equal heritors. Jewish law gave a double portion to the eldest son. The Roman law was naturally in Paul’s mind, and suits the context, where adoption is the basis of inheritance.” (Volume 3, Page 92)

“Ignatius, in his letter to the Smyrnaeans, speaks of one who denies Christ’s humanity, as νεκροφο̈́ρος one who carries a corpse.” (Volume 3, Page 84)

“The key is furnished by ver. 27, as seeing him who is invisible. Faith apprehends as a real fact what is not revealed to the senses. It rests on that fact, acts upon it, and is upheld by it in the face of all that seems to contradict it. Faith is a real seeing. See Introduction, p. 363.” (Volume 4, Pages 509–510)

“Children of light (υἱοὶ φωτός). More correctly, sons of light. See on Mk. 3:17, and comp. L. 16:8; J. 12:36; Eph. 5:8; Col. 1:12. The Christian condition is habitually associated in N. T. with light: see Matt. 5:14, 16; J. 3:21; 8:12; Acts 26:18; 1 Pet. 2:9; 1 J. 1:7. The contrary condition with darkness: see J. 3:19, 20; Eph. 5:8; 1 Pet. 2:9; Matt. 4:16; 4:23, etc.” (Volume 4, Page 45)

“Witnesses (μαρτύρων) does not mean spectators, but those who have borne witness to the truth, as those enumerated in ch. 11. Yet the idea of spectators is implied, and is really the principal idea. The writer’s picture is that of an arena in which the Christians whom he addresses are contending in a race, while the vast host of the heroes of faith who, after having borne witness to the truth, have entered into their heavenly rest, watches the contest from the encircling tiers of the arena, compassing and overhanging it like a cloud, filled with lively interest and sympathy, and lending heavenly aid.” (Volume 4, Page 536)