Bible Commentaries

John 16:16 — hearts and lives of men.This may also refer to his coming again to destroy the Jewish state, and also to judge the world; but how can this latter be said to be in a little while? Because a thousand years are but as a day in the sight of God: Psalms 90:4.

Acts 11:19 — Phoenicia, a country between Galilee and Syria, along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, including Tyre, Sidon, c. It is often mentioned as a part of Syria. See Acts 21:2-3.Cyprus — An island of the Mediterranean Sea, over against Syria. Acts 4:30.Antioch — A city of Syria, built by Antiochus Seleucus, near the river Orontes at that time one of the most celebrated cities of the east. For the situation of all these, see the map accompanying this book.Unto the Jews only. — For they

Acts 24:4 — Verse Acts 24:4. That I be not farther tedious unto thee — That I may neither trespass on thy time, by dwelling longer on this subject, nor on thy modesty, by thus enumerating thy beneficent deeds.Hear us of thy clemency — Give us this farther proof of

Acts 4:19 — Verse Acts 4:19. Whether it be right in the sight of God — As if they had said: Worldly prudence and a consideration of our secular interests would undoubtedly induce us to obey you; but acting as before God, and following the dictates of eternal truth and

Romans 4:2 — Verse Romans 4:2. For if Abraham were justified by works — The JEW proceeds: - I conclude, therefore, that Abraham was justified by works, or by his obedience to this law of circumcision; and, consequently, he has cause for glorying, καυχημα, to exult in something

Romans 5:4 — Verse Romans 5:4. And patience, experience — δοκιμεν, Full proof, by trial, of the truth of our religion, the solidity of our Christian state, and the faithfulness of our God. In such cases we have the opportunity of putting our religion to the test; and, by every

1 Corinthians 4:12 — Verse 1 Corinthians 4:12. Working with our own hands — They were obliged to labour in order to supply themselves with the necessaries of life while preaching the Gospel to others. This, no doubt, was the case in every place were no Church had been as yet formed: afterwards,

1 Corinthians 4:8 — Verse 1 Corinthians 4:8. Now ye — Corinthians are full of secular wisdom; now ye are rich, both in wealth and spiritual gifts; (1 Corinthians 14:26:) ye have reigned as kings, flourishing in the enjoyment of these things, in all tranquillity and honour; without any

1 Corinthians 7:26 — heathen times when the Church was not under persecutions and afflictions; on some occasions these were more oppressive than at others.The word αναγκη signifies, necessity, distress, tribulation, and calamity; as it does in Luke 21:23; 2 Corinthians 6:4; 2 Corinthians 12:10. In such times, when the people of God had no certain dwelling-place, when they were lying at the mercy of their enemies without any protection from the state-the state itself often among the persecutors-he who had a family to care

1 Corinthians 8:4 — Verse 1 Corinthians 8:4. Things that are offered in sacrifice — See on the first verse. See on the first verse, 1 Corinthians 8:1An idol is nothing in the world — Dr. Lightfoot translates this, We know that there is no idol in the world; which he explains thus:

2 Corinthians 10:4 — Verse 2 Corinthians 10:4. The weapons of our warfare — The apostle often uses the metaphor of a warfare to represent the life and trials of a Christian minister. See Ephesians 6:10-17; 1 Timothy 1:18; 2 Timothy 2:3-5.Are not carnal — Here he refers to the means

2 Corinthians 4:9 — Verse 2 Corinthians 4:9. Persecuted, but not forsaken — Διωκομενοι, αλλ' ουκ εγκαταλειπομενοι. The διωκομενοι, pursued, is peculiar to the δρομος, or race, when one being foremost others pursue, and get up close after him, endeavouring to outstrip him, but cannot succeed:

Galatians 3:27 — assumed. The profession of Christianity is an assumption of the character of Christ; he has left us an example that we should follow his steps, and we should, as Christians, have that mind in us which was in him. See the notes on Romans 6:3; Romans 6:4; and especially those on "Romans 13:14", where this phrase is farther explained.

Galatians 3:4 — Verse Galatians 3:4. Have ye suffered so many things in vain? — Have ye received and lost so much good? The verb πασχων, as compounded with ευ, well, or κακως, ill, and often without either, signifies to suffer pain or loss, or to possess and enjoy. In such a case

Ephesians 4:10 — might flow; dispensing all good things to all his creatures, according to their several capacities and necessities; and, particularly, fill both converted Jews and Gentiles with all the gifts and graces of his Holy Spirit. Hence it follows: Ephesians 4:11

Ephesians 6:11 — Τας μεθοδειας του διαβολου· The methods of the devil the different means, plans, schemes, and machinations which he uses to deceive, entrap, enslave, and ruin the souls of men. A man's method of sinning is Satan's method of ruining his soul. Ephesians 4:14.

1 Timothy 5:2 — male and female; consider them as fathers, mothers, brothers, and sisters; treat them all with gentleness; and labour to keep them in, not to expel them from, the Church.With all purity. — εν παση αγνεια. With all chastity. See note on 1 Timothy 4:12.There are some who seem to take a barbarous pleasure in expelling members from, the Church. They should be continued in as long as possible; while they are in the Church-under its ordinances and discipline, there is some hope that their errors may

1 Timothy 5:4 — Verse 1 Timothy 5:4. But if any widow have children or nephews — This shows that widows indeed are those that have neither children nor nephews, i.e. no relatives that either will or can help them, or no near relatives alive.Let them learn first to show piety at

2 Timothy 4:14 — Verse 14. Alexander the coppersmith — We are not to understand this of any tradesman, but of some rabbin; for it was not unusual for the Jews to apply the name of some trade as an epithet to their rabbins and literary men. He is, in all probability, the

Titus 2:1 — CHAPTER II. Sundry directions to aged men, 1, 2. To aged women, 3. To young women, 4, 5. To young men, 6. Directions to Titus, relative to his own conduct, 7, 8. Directions to servants, 9, 10. What the Gospel of the grace of God teaches all men, 11, 12. The glorious prospect held out by it; salvation from all sin, and final glory, 13-15.