Luke 2:14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. The song consists of three propositions, of which two are parallel, and the third forms a link between the other two. In the first, "Glory to God in the highest places," the angels demand that, from the lower regions to which they have just come down, from the bosom of humanity, praise shall arise, which, ascending from heavens to heavens, shall reach at last the supreme sanctuary, the highest places, and there glorify the Divine perfections that shine forth in this birth. The second, "Peace on earth," is the counterpart of the first. While inciting men to praise, the angels invoke on them peace from God. This peace is such as results from the reconciliation of man with God; it contains the cause of the cessation of all war here below. These two propositions are of the nature of a desire or prayer. The verb understood is ἔστω, let it be. The third, which is not connected with the preceding by any particle, proclaims the fact which is the ground of this twofold prayer. If the logical connection were expressed, it would be by the word for. This fact is the extraordinary favour shown to men by God, and which is displayed in the gift He is bestowing upon them at this very time. The sense is: "for God takes pleasure in men." In speaking thus, the angels seem to mean, "God has not be stowed as much on us (Hebrews 16)" The idea of "good-will" recalls the first proposition, "Glory to God!" while the expression, towards men," reminds us of the second, "peace on earth!" (F. Godet, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.WEB: "Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace, good will toward men." |
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