1 Corinthians 1:22

Ἰουδαῖοι … Ἕλληνες anarthrous; “Jews” qua Jews, etc.: in this “asking” and “seeking” the characteristics of each race are “hit off to perfection” (Ed [231] : see his interesting note); αἰτεῖν expresses “the importunity of the Jews,” ζητεῖν “the curious, speculative turn of the Greeks” (Lt [232]). For the Jewish requirement, cf. parls. in the case of Jesus; the app., doubtless, were challenged in the same way P. perhaps publicly at Cor [233] : “non reperias Corinthi signum editum esse per Paulum, Acts 18.” (Bg [234]). Respecting this demand, see Lt [235], Biblical Essays, pp. 150 ff. Such dictation Christ never allowed; His miracles were expressions of pity, not concessions to unbelief, a part of the Gospel and not external buttresses to it. Of the Hellenic σοφίαν ζητεῖν Philosophy is itself a monument; cf., amongst many cl [236] parls., Herod., iv., 77, Ἔλληνες πάντας ἀσχόλους εἶναι πρὸς πᾶσαν σοφίην; also Ælian, Var. Hist., xii., 25; Juvenal, Sat., I., ii., 58 f.

[231] T. C. Edwards' Commentary on the First Ep. to the Corinthians. 2

[232] J. B. Lightfoot's (posthumous) Notes on Epp. of St. Paul (1895).

[233] Corinth, Corinthian or Corinthians.

[234] Bengel's Gnomon Novi Testamenti.

[235] J. B. Lightfoot's (posthumous) Notes on Epp. of St. Paul (1895).

[236] classical.