Page:The New Testament in the original Greek - Introduction and Appendix (1882).pdf/340

302 392. Besides the three classes of notation already explained, a peculiar type has been found necessary for the words in Eph. i 1. If there were here, as usual, a simple issue of genuineness or spuriousness, the words would have to be condemned. But the very probable view that the epistle traditionally entitled was addressed to a plurality of churches has naturally given rise to a supposition that the words are not so much spurious as local, filling up an intentional gap in the text rightly for Ephesian readers, but intended to be replaced by  and another name for readers belonging to other churches addressed. In expression of this view we have retained the words with a change of type in preference to leaving a blank space; as we see no reason to doubt that at least one primary recipient of the epistle was Ephesus, from which great centre it would naturally be forwarded to the churches of other cities of Western Asia Minor. We have thought it safer however to enclose in ordinary brackets, as Origen is perhaps right, notwithstanding the fanciful interpretation with which he encumbers his construction, in taking the words  to run on continuously, so that no place would be left for a local address.

C.&ensp;393—404.&emsp;Orthography

393. A short explanation remains to be given respecting the Orthography adopted, and also the various typographical details or other external arrangements, some purely formal, some closely related to sense, by which the contents of ancient MSS are presented in a shape adapted for ready use and understanding. An editor of the New Testament is often driven to wish that it were possible to evade the necessity of choosing between one mode of spelling and another. Much time would be saved by