20. ὦ ἄνθρωπε. Cf. Romans 2:1; ' href='520 2:3'>Rom 2:3; cf. James 2:20 only (Romans 9 :1 Timothy 6:11), thou that art mere man. For the idea cf. Wis 12:12.

μενοῦνγε. Cf. Romans 10:18; Philippians 3:8 only; μενοῦν, Luke 11:28. Corrective, ‘rather than put such a question consider …,’ Blass, p. 270.

ἀνταποκρινόμενος. Luke 14:6 only.

μὴ ἐρεῖ τὸ πλάσμα κ.τ.λ. Isaiah 29:16; Isaiah 45:9; cf. Isaiah 64:8; Jeremiah 18:1-6; Sir 33:13; 2 Timothy 2:20-21. The metaphor emphasises the absurdity of the creature who quarrels with the conditions of his creation: and it brings out also again the point that man and, in particular here, nations are made for use and must subserve that use. It must not be pressed to the denial of spontaneity in man, which would be contrary to all S. Paul’s ethical teaching. Men are living or personal instruments.

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Old Testament