Hos 12:1, 1Cor 9:26 | JFB | STEP | 1. feedeth on wind — ( ). Followeth after vain objects, such as alliances with idolaters and their idols (compare ). east wind —the simoon, blowing from the desert east of Palestine, which not only does not benefit, but does injury. Israel follows not only things vain, but things pernicious (compare ). increaseth lies —accumulates lie upon lie, that is, impostures wherewith they deceive themselves, forsaking the truth of God. desolation — violent oppressions practised by Israel [MAURER ]. Acts which would prove the cause of Israel's own desolation [CALVIN ]. covenant with . . . Assyrians — ( ). oil . . . into Egypt —as a present from Israel to secure Egypt's alliance ( ; compare ). Palestine was famed for oil ( ).

Hosea 12:1

1. feedeth on wind— (Pr 15:14; Isa 44:20). Followeth after vain objects, such as alliances with idolaters and their idols (compare Ho 8:7).

east wind—the simoon, blowing from the desert east of Palestine, which not only does not benefit, but does injury. Israel follows not only things vain, but things pernicious (compare Job 15:2).

increaseth lies—accumulates lie upon lie, that is, impostures wherewith they deceive themselves, forsaking the truth of God.

desolation—violent oppressions practised by Israel [MAURER]. Acts which would prove the cause of Israel's own desolation [CALVIN].

covenant with . . . Assyrians— (Ho 5:13; 7:11).

oil . . . into Egypt—as a present from Israel to secure Egypt's alliance (Isa 30:6; 57:9; compare 2Ki 17:4). Palestine was famed for oil (Eze 27:17).

1 Corinthians 9:26

26. I—Paul returns to his main subject, his own self-denial, and his motive in it.

run, not as uncertainly—not as a runner uncertain of the goal. Ye Corinthians gain no end in your entering idol temples or eating idol meats. But I, for my part, in all my acts, whether in my becoming "all things to all men," or in receiving no sustenance from my converts, have a definite end in view, namely, to "gain the more." I know what 1 aim at, and how to aim at it. He who runs with a clear aim, looks straightforward to the goal, makes it his sole aim, casts away every encumbrance (Heb 12:1, 2), is indifferent to what the by-standers say, and sometimes even a fall only serves to rouse him the more [BENGEL].

not as one that beateth the air—instead of beating the adversary. Alluding to the sciamachia or sparring in the school in sham-fight (compare 1Co 14:9), wherein they struck out into the air as if at an imaginary adversary. The real adversary is Satan acting on us through the flesh.