25:14 Like cloudy skies and wind that produce no rain, 6
so is the one who boasts 7 of a gift not given. 8
1 tn Or “boast excessively.” The phrase εἰς τὰ ἄμετρα (ei" ta ametra) is an idiom; literally it means “into that which is not measured,” that is, a point on a scale that goes beyond what might be expected (L&N 78.27).
2 tn Or “in the labors.”
3 tn Grk “but we have the hope.”
4 tn Or “greatly enlarged.”
5 tn That is, Paul’s work might be greatly expanded within the area of activity assigned to him by God.
6 sn The emblem now is one of clouds and winds that would be expected to produce rain; they gain attention and raise people’s expectations but prove to be disappointing when no rain is forthcoming, and hence could be thought of as deceitful.
7 tn The form מִתְהַלֵּל (mithallel) is the Hitpael participle of the well-known word for “praise”; but in this stem it means “to praise oneself” or “to boast.” The description of “windbag” seems appropriate in this context.
8 tn Heb “a gift of falsehood.” This would mean that the individual brags about giving a gift, when there is no gift.