Npnf-201 iii.x.iii Pg 15
Compare 1 Pet. v. 6.
They defended all,1401 1401 πᾶσι μὲν ἀπολογοῦντο. Rufinus translates placabant omnes; Musculus, omnibus rationem fidei suæ reddebant; Valesius, omnium defensionem suscipiebant, though he maintains in a note that the rendering of Musculus, or the translation omnibus se excusabant, is more correct. It is true that πᾶσι ἀπολογοῦντο ought strictly to mean “apologized to all” rather than “for all,” the latter being commonly expressed by the use of ὑπὲρ with the genitive (see the lexicons s.v. ἀπολογέομαι). At the same time, though it may not be possible to produce any other examples of the use of the dative, instead of ὑπὲρ with the genitive, after ἀπολογέομαι, it is clear from the context that it must be accepted in the present case.
but accused none. They absolved all, but bound none.1402 1402 The question of the readmission of the lapsed had not yet become a burning one. The conduct of the martyrs here in absolving (žλυον) those who had shown weakness under persecution is similar to that which caused so much dispute in the Church during and after the persecution of Decius. See below, Bk. VI. chap. 43, note 1.
And they prayed for those who had inflicted cruelties upon them, even as Stephen, the perfect witness, ‘Lord, lay not this sin to their charge.’1403 1403
Edersheim Bible History
Lifetimes ix.xv Pg 5.6
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge, Chapter 5
VERSE (6) - Ex 10:3 Le 26:41 1Ki 21:29 2Ki 22:19 2Ch 12:6,7,12; 30:11; 32:26
