17. ἀδιαλείπτωςπροσεύχεσθε] a second precept, not to be interpreted merely as showing how the former precept may be fulfilled, but an independent injunction in thorough accordance with St Paul’ s constant teaching, cf. Romans 12:12, Ephesians 6:18, Colossians 4:2. For the absolute manner (ἀδιαλείπτως, 1:3 note) in which the precept is expressed see the note on 4:13, and for a striking commentary on it note the constantly interjected prayers in this and the later Ep. (Intr. p. 45). For prayer as a part of Church-life cf. Didache 15:4 τὰςδὲεὐχὰςὑμῶν ... ποιήσατεὡςἔχετεἐντῷεὐαγγελίῳτοῦΚυρίουἡμῶν, and for the conditions under which the whole life of the saint becomes μίανσυναπτομένηνμεγάλην ... εὐχήν, see Orig. de Orat. 12:2 (ed. Koetschau) ‘ἀδιαλείπτῶς’ δὲπροσεύχεται ... ὁσυνάπτωντοῖςδέουσινἔργοιςτὴνεὐχὴνκαὶτῇεὐχῇτὰςπρεπούσαςπράξεις.