Q. 283. (page 267). The “hold “ mentioned here refers to the fortress or strong hold of Zion mentioned in verse 7. In 2 Samuel 23:14, it refers to the cave of Adullam, which David used as a strong hold, and in Judges 9:46, “hold” means a deep place in the house. The following is an extract from Lever’s Sermons, page 88.
“The Scots assault castles, towers, and such manner of holds,” which chews it was commonly used at the period of the Authorized Version.
B. W.M.
Q. 224. The Greek word used in Matthew 11:12, and also Luke 16:16 has many meanings: to attack violently—to ravage—to resist—to push from you—to press against: as “ hold the truth “ in Romans 1:18, means to resist it—to push it away. As a matter of fact all men did not, in your sense, press into the kingdom, but in my sense, they violently opposed it, and it culminated in the cry representative of the nation, “We have no king but Caesar.” “Therefore the kingdom of God shall be taken from you” is the formal sentence of their king.
The kingdom of God is preached, and every man sets himself violently against it. Luke 16:16.
The kingdom of heaven is attacked violently, and the violent ravage it. Matthew 11:12.
J. L.
We shall be glad of further remarks on this passage, but we must add that we entirely dissent from our correspondent’s interpretation of Romans 1:18. (Ed).