SEV Biblia, Chapter 25:9
Mas las prudentes respondieron, diciendo: Para que no nos falte a nosotras y a vosotras, id antes a los que venden, y comprad para vosotras.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Matthew 25:9
Verse 9. Lest there be not enough for us and you] These had all been companions in the Christian course, and there was a time when they might have been helpful to each other; but that time is now past for ever-none has a particle of grace to spare, not even to help the soul of the dearest relative! The grace which every man receives is just enough to save his own soul; he has no merits to bequeath to the Church; no work of supererogation which can be placed to the account of another. Go ye rather to them that sell, and buy] By leaving out the particle de, but, (on the indisputable authority of ABDGHKS, and HV, of Matthai, with sixteen others, the Armenian, Vulgate, and all the Itala but one,) and transposing a very little the members of the sentence, the sense is more advantageously represented, and the reading smoother: Rather go to them that sell, and buy for yourselves, lest there be not enough for us and you.
Beza, Mill, Bengel, and Griesbach, approve of the omission of the particle de.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 9. But the wise answered, saying, not so , etc.] A flat denial; and which sprung not from want or compassion; for the saints are taught not only to compassionate one another, and to pity fallen professors, but even to regard their very enemies in distress: nor from a narrow, niggardly spirit, since such are directed and exhorted to communicate freely, both in things temporal and spiritual, they are capable of, to them that are in need, and even to lay down their lives for the brethren; nor from an uncivil, morose, and churlish disposition; or from a careless and indolent one, as being unconcerned what became of these persons; but from an indignation at the honour put upon them, and the slight put upon God and Christ, and the Spirit of grace: saints know that all grace comes from Father, Son, and Spirit; and frankly own, that what they have is from thence; and they give God all the glory of it, and cannot bear any such application to them for it, as this; but show the same spirit, as Paul and Barnabas did, when the Lystrians were going to sacrifice to them. Moreover, this denial arose from a consciousness of insufficiency to help them in this respect: it is the saints mercy that they cannot lose the grace they have, nor can any take it away from them, and it is not in their power to give it away; nor can any be sanctified, or justified, or saved, by another mans grace: the reason alleged by them is, lest there be not enough for us and you ; saints have a large abundance of grace communicated to them; some have more, others less; at least it so appears, as to exercise; but they that have the most, have none to spare, and see their need of more; and ask for more, being sensible that present grace in them, is not sufficient for time to come, but grace in Christ only; wherefore their answer, and the reason of it, were like themselves, wise; and this destroys the notion of supererogation; but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves . This advice is thought by some, to be ironical and sarcastic; but it seems rather to be serious, and in good earnest; directing them to go to proper persons for grace; not to men, even ministers of the Gospel, nor to angels; but to God the Father, the Father of mercies, and God of all comfort, who sits on a throne of grace, and gives it liberally to them that come to him for it through Christ, and ask it of him; and to Christ the mediator, who is full of grace and truth, and counsels persons to buy of him gold tried in the fire, grace more precious than the purest gold; and to the Spirit of grace, who gives it to all severally as he will: who are said to sell, and men to buy; not in a proper sense, by giving any valuable consideration for the grace of God, which is impossible to be done; but in an improper sense, without money and without price; or in other words, by giving and receiving freely.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-13 - The circumstances of the parable of the ten virgins were taken from the marriage customs among the Jews, and explain the great day of Christ' coming. See the nature of Christianity. As Christians we profess to attend upon Christ, to honour him, also to be waiting for his coming Sincere Christians are the wise virgins, and hypocrites the foolis ones. Those are the truly wise or foolish that are so in the affairs of their souls. Many have a lamp of profession in their hands, but have not, in their hearts, sound knowledge and settled resolution, which ar needed to carry them through the services and trials of the presen state. Their hearts are not stored with holy dispositions, by the new-creating Spirit of God. Our light must shine before men in goo works; but this is not likely to be long done, unless there is a fixed active principle in the heart, of faith in Christ, and love to God an our brethren. They all slumbered and slept. The delay represents the space between the real or apparent conversion of these professors, an the coming of Christ, to take them away by death, or to judge the world. But though Christ tarry past our time, he will not tarry pas the due time. The wise virgins kept their lamps burning, but they di not keep themselves awake. Too many real Christians grow remiss, an one degree of carelessness makes way for another. Those that allo themselves to slumber, will scarcely keep from sleeping; therefor dread the beginning of spiritual decays. A startling summons was given God ye forth to meet Him, is a call to those prepared. The notice of Christ's approach, and the call to meet him, will awaken. Even thos best prepared for death have work to do to get actually ready, 2P 3:14. It will be a day of search and inquiry; and it concerns us to think how we shall then be found. Some wanted oil to supply their lamp when going out. Those that take up short of true grace, will certainl find the want of it one time or other. An outward profession may ligh a man along this world, but the damps of the valley of the shadow of death will put out such a light. Those who care not to live the life yet would die the death of the righteous. But those that would be saved, must have grace of their own; and those that have most grace have none to spare. The best need more from Christ. And while the poor alarmed soul addresses itself, upon a sick-bed, to repentance an prayer, in awful confusion, death comes, judgment comes, the work i undone, and the poor sinner is undone for ever. This comes of havin oil to buy when we should burn it, grace to get when we should use it Those, and those only, shall go to heaven hereafter, that are mad ready for heaven here. The suddenness of death and of Christ's comin to us then, will not hinder our happiness, if we have been prepared The door was shut. Many will seek admission into heaven when it is to late. The vain confidence of hypocrites will carry them far i expectations of happiness. The unexpected summons of death may alar the Christian; but, proceeding without delay to trim his lamp, his graces often shine more bright; while the mere professor's conduc shows that his lamp is going out. Watch therefore, attend to the business of your souls. Be in the fear of the Lord all the day long.
Greek Textus Receptus
απεκριθησαν 611 5662 V-ADI-3P δε 1161 CONJ αι 3588 T-NPF φρονιμοι 5429 A-NPF λεγουσαι 3004 5723 V-PAP-NPF μηποτε 3379 ADV ουκ 3756 PRT-N αρκεση 714 5661 V-AAS-3S ημιν 2254 P-1DP και 2532 CONJ υμιν 5213 P-2DP πορευεσθε 4198 5737 V-PNM-2P δε 1161 CONJ μαλλον 3123 ADV προς 4314 PREP τους 3588 T-APM πωλουντας 4453 5723 V-PAP-APM και 2532 CONJ αγορασατε 59 5657 V-AAM-2P εαυταις 1438 F-3DPF
Vincent's NT Word Studies
9. Not so, lest, etc. (mhpote ou mh arkesh). The Greek does not give the blunt negative of the A.V. It is a more courteous form of refusal, making the reason for refusing to supply the place of the negative. Give us of your oil, say the foolish. The wise reply, Lest perchance there be not by any means (ouj mh, the double negative) enough. The Rev. gives it very happily. Per adventure there will not be enough, etc.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
25:9 {Peradventure there will not be enough for us and you} (mepote ou me arkesei hemn kai humn). There is an elliptical construction here that is not easy of explanation. Some MSS. Aleph A L Z have ouk instead of ou me. But even so me pote has to be explained either by supplying an imperative like ginesth" or by a verb of fearing like phoboumetha ( this most likely). Either ouk or ou me would be proper with the futuristic subjunctive arkesei (Moulton, _Prolegomena_, p. 192; Robertson, _Grammar_, pp. 1161,1174). "We are afraid that there is no possibility of there being enough for us both." this is a denial of oil by the wise virgins because there was not enough for both. "It was necessary to show that the foolish virgins could not have the consequences of their folly averted at the last moment" (Plummer). It is a courteous reply, but it is decisive. The compound Greek negatives are very expressive, mepote--ou me.
