{Thinketh himself to be religious} (dokei thr(8873)kos einai).
Condition of first class (ei-dokei). Thr(8873)kos (of uncertain
etymology, perhaps from hreomai, to mutter forms of prayer) is
predicate nominative after einai, agreeing with the subject of
dokei (either "he seems" or "he thinks"). This source of
self-deception is in saying and doing. The word hr(8873)kos is
found nowhere else except in lexicons. Hatch (_Essays in Biblical
Greek_, pp. 55-57) shows that it refers to the external
observances of public worship, such as church attendance,
almsgiving, prayer, fasting ( Mt 6:1-18 ). It is the Pharisaic
element in Christian worship. {While he bridleth not his tongue}
(m(8820)chalinag(9367)(936e) gl(9373)san heautou). "Not bridling his own
tongue." A reference to verse 19 and the metaphor is repeated
in 3:12 . This is the earliest known example of the compound
chalinag(9367)e(935c) (chalinos, bridle ago, to lead). It occurs
also in Lucian. The picture is that of a man putting the bridle
in his own mouth, not in that of another. See the similar
metaphor of muzzling (phimo(935c)) one's mouth ( Mt 22:12
ephim(9374)h(885c)). {Deceiveth} (apat(936e)). Present active participle
from apat(885c) (deceit). He plays a trick on himself. {Religion}
( hr(8873)keia). Later form of hr(8873)ki(885c) (Herodotus) from
hr(8873)kos above. It means religious worship in its external
observances, religious exercise or discipline, but not to the
exclusion of reverence. In the N.T. we have it also in Ac 26:5
of Judaism and in Col 2:18 of worshipping angels. It is vain
(mataios, feminine form same as masculine) or empty. Comes to
nothing.
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