I've mentioned this before in other circles (Logos Newsgroups), but I wanted to mention it again: Galaxie Software's Theological Journal Library (TJL) is one of the most useful complementary products I have installed as part of my LDLS library.

In my working through the Pastoral Epistles, I'm trying to not consult too many sources until I get my first pass of the text complete, proofed, and revised. A second pass is the point to add (or correct) based on other sources (commentaries, primarily).

However, some places are just plain tough. I've been working on 1Ti 2.8-15 for a bit now, and know what I think. But some of the terms (particularly αὐθεντέω in v. 12)* are tough with very few citations in secondary literature.

Working on αὐθεντέω, I simply searched TJL for the lexical form. I was pointed to an excellent article by Douglas J. Moo in the 1980 Trinity Journal. This had a response article by Philip Payne, and a further rejoinder by Moo. It helped in thinking about the word, how to translate it, and determining the function of the word in the clause. Fun stuff.

All this to say: TJL is a valuable compliment to any LDLS user's library.** The producer, Galaxie Software, is set up to release new “volumes” every year, it seems. The initial package is TJL vols 1-5, at a price of $99.95 — which is a bargain for the sheer volume of journals included. Two supplimentary packages have been released: TJL Volume 6 adds the 2002 volume for many existing journals, and adds a few new journals as well, for the very reasonable price of $49.95.

Even better news: TJL Volume 7 has just been released at the price of $49.95. 2003 editions of many journals, plus yet again more new journals (including 24 years of Review and Expositor).

OK, commercial over.

Update: Yikes! Rubén is right (sounds of keystrokes making corrections). I s'pose that's what I get for posting late at night (and thanks again to my 2nd grade teacher for getting me started on phonics early ... )

* Also incredibly helpful is H. Scott Baldwin's article “A Difficult Word: αὐθεντέω in 1 Timothy 2:12” in Kostenberger, Schreiner, and Baldwin's Women in the Church: A Fresh Analysis of 1 Timothy 2:9-15. Baker Book House: Grand Rapids. 1995. Many thanks to Vincent Setterholm for letting me keep this on indefinite loan.

** I even think Mac users can get in on the TJL action; Galaxie has TJL vols. 1-5 and TJL vol. 6 in Accordance format as well.