spiritual misery
Hello Mac.
"'Thriving' could mean whatever Balfour had in his mind.
But, let's be clear: the suggestion of pimping came about because it was believed that 'wages' meant financial gain. It is not the case."
Well and good. I'm open to interpretation for this. But it is difficult to see what precisely Balfour meant otherwise.
Let's start with:
"The wages of sin is death."
Right. Now do a Leibnizian substitution:
"He was thriving from their death."
Obviously we need an emendation, for the Apostle means a spiritual death--not a physical one.
"He was thriving from their spiritual death."
Another tweak changes this to:
"The man was doing well as a result of their spiritual misery."
OK. But how was he doing well? Perhaps he was trying to appear spiritually justified next to these "fallen women"? Very well. Then perhaps he needed no Sunday absolution etc., or his penance was lessened.
But I wonder if Balfour was concerned with his comparative spiritual condition?
I'd be delighted to hear any alternative to this.
Cheers.
LC
Hello Mac.
"'Thriving' could mean whatever Balfour had in his mind.
But, let's be clear: the suggestion of pimping came about because it was believed that 'wages' meant financial gain. It is not the case."
Well and good. I'm open to interpretation for this. But it is difficult to see what precisely Balfour meant otherwise.
Let's start with:
"The wages of sin is death."
Right. Now do a Leibnizian substitution:
"He was thriving from their death."
Obviously we need an emendation, for the Apostle means a spiritual death--not a physical one.
"He was thriving from their spiritual death."
Another tweak changes this to:
"The man was doing well as a result of their spiritual misery."
OK. But how was he doing well? Perhaps he was trying to appear spiritually justified next to these "fallen women"? Very well. Then perhaps he needed no Sunday absolution etc., or his penance was lessened.
But I wonder if Balfour was concerned with his comparative spiritual condition?
I'd be delighted to hear any alternative to this.
Cheers.
LC
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