There is such a thing as a peculiar word or phrase cleaving, as it were to the memory of a writer or speaker, and presenting itself to his utterance at every turn. When we observe this, we call it a cant word or a cant phrase. It is a natural effect of habit: and would appear more frequently than it does, had not the rules of good writing taught the ear to be offended with the iteration of the same sound, and oftentimes caused us to reject, on that account, the word which offered itself first to our recollection.
With a writer who, like St. Paul, either knew not these rules, or disregarded them, such words will not be avoided. The truth is, an example of this kind runs through several of his epistles, and in the epistle before us abounds; and that is in the word riches, (πλοῦτος,) used metaphorically as an augmentative of the idea to which it happens to be subjoined. Thus, “the riches of his glory,” “his riches in glory,” “riches of the glory of his inheritance,” “riches of the glory of this mystery,” Romans 9:23, Ephesians 3:16, Philippians 4:19, Ephesians 1:18, Colossians 1:27: “riches of his grace,” twice in the Ephesians 1:7, and 2:7; “riches of the full assurance of understanding,” Colossians 2:2; “riches of his goodness,” Romans 2:4; “riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God,” Romans 11:33; “riches of Christ,” Ephesians 3:8. In a like sense, the adjective, Romans 10:12, “rich unto all that call upon him;” Ephesians 2:4, “rich in mercy;” 1 Timothy 6:18, “rich in good works.” Also the adverb, Colossians 3:16, “let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.”
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Author: William Paley
Keywords: Cant word, Cant phrase, Phrase cleaving, Riches
Bible reference(s): Rom. 9:23, Eph. 3:16, Philippians 4:19, Eph. 1:18, Col. 1:27, Ephesians 1:7, Ephesians 2:7, Col. 2:2, Rom. 2:4, Rom. 11:33, Eph. 3:8, Rom. 10:12, Eph. 2:4, 1 Tim. 6:18, Col. 3:16
Source: Horae Paulinae (London: The Religious Tract Society, 1850).
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