Third, Romans 12:11: “serving the Lord.”
Third, Romans 12:11: “serving the Lord.”
§ 359. (III) “Where the Latin version of Rom. 12:11 reads ‘serving the Lord,’ the Greek codices do not have 
[“the Lord”] but 
, that is, ‘serving the time.’ Yet such a Latin reading is quite correct. This is revealed from Jerome, Epistle ad Marcell., which begins Post priorem epistulam, where he says: ‘In the corrected Greek codices we do not have 
.’ This is also revealed from Origen, Chrysostom, Theophylact, and other Greek fathers who read and explain it thus in their commentaries.” We respond. (1) These prove a diversity of reading but not a corruption of the text. (2) We do not deny that some editions, six of which Robertus Stephanus has noted, have 
, as also read the Greek scholia, Basil in his Ethic., Chrysostom and Theophylact in their commentaries, the Syrian paraphrast, etc. In others, however, we have 
, “serving the time.” (3) The Glossa ordinaria noted the variant reading without any accusation of corruption. (4) Both readings are in harmony with the analogy of faith; yet the context and an examination of the oldest editions shows that that accepted reading must be preferred to the other. (5) Jerome gives no reason for his reading, but Ambrose (bk. 5, p. 230) gives us the pregnant reading, writing: “In the Greek it is said to read ‘serving God,’ which also does not fit the passage. After all, what need was there to set down this summary of all devotion when he mentions each member that pertains to obedience and service to God? In all the things he lists, full service to God is shown. Elsewhere he explains what it means to serve the time, when he says, ‘Redeeming the time, for the days are evil.’ “(6) In v. 15 of this chapter, the apostle himself appears to explain what he wants to be understood by 
. There he says, “Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep.” Indeed, do everything in its own place and time. (7) Toletus himself, in his commentary on this passage, would prefer our reading, which has 
, if he were not restricted by the authority of the Vulgate version. He says: “I admit that this reading suits what comes before and what comes after and also contains a useful lesson. But the common mind of the ancient interpreters judges that it must be read with the ancient interpretation: ‘Serving the Lord.’”