οἵτινες κ.τ.λ. define once more the root of the evil—rejection of known truth—here as to the fixed judgment of GOD on such acts and persons.

τὸ δικαίωμα = the just decision or claim, cf. Romans 2:26; Romans 8:4; Luke 1:6, not so much of the judge as of the legislator. The word and its cognates used of a judge seem always to imply acquittal.

πράσσοντες. Practise—methodically and deliberately. ποιοῦσιν = commit the acts, without necessarily implying deliberation. συνευδοκοῦσιν, join with deliberate and hearty purpose. There is a true climax. A conspiracy of evil is worse than isolated actions, because it indicates the set tendency of the heart. Cf. S. H.; cf. Luke 11:48; Acts 8:1; Acts 22:20. N. the Test. of the Twelve Patriarchs, Ash. Romans 6:2, καὶ πράσσουσι τὸ κακὸν καὶ συνευδοκοῦσι τοῖς πράσσουσιν. Charles regards this passage as the original of our verse here.

Continues after advertising
Continues after advertising

Old Testament