οὐδὲ ὑπὸ χειρῶν� neither is served by men’s hands. θεραπεύειν implies the sort of service yielded by a steward to his master, or a minister to his king, a service in which the superior is not independent of his inferior, and could not well do without him. This is seen in the next clause. God is not like earthly masters and kings. He gives all, and men can only offer to Him themselves in return. Cf. Psalms 50, 51 for like teaching. See also Chrysostom on this verse, λέγων δέ, μὴ ὑπὸ χειρῶν�, αἰνίττεται ὅτι διανοίᾳ καὶ νῷ θεραπεύεται.

ζωὴν καὶ πνοὴν καὶ τὰ πάντα, life and breath and all things. The Apostle in the paronomasia seems to be adapting his style somewhat to his audience. Such similarity of sound was thought to give elegance.

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Old Testament