Bible Commentaries

Acts 11:19 — that persecution in which Stephen lost his life. See Acts 8:1.Phoenice — 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

Acts 14:3 — Verse Acts 14:3. Long time therefore abode they — Because they had great success, therefore they continued a long time, gaining many converts, and building up those who had believed, in their most holy faith; notwithstanding the opposition they met with, both

Acts 21:11 — the term and his mode of acting was like that of the ancient prophets, who often accompanied their predictions with significant emblems. Jeremiah was commanded to bury his girdle by the river Euphrates, to mark out the captivity of the Jews. Jeremiah 13:4. For more examples of this figurative or symbolical prophesying, ee Jeremiah 27:2, Jeremiah 27:3; Jeremiah 28:4; Isaiah 20:1-6; Ezekiel 4:1-17; Ezekiel 12:1-28, &c.Into the hands of the Gentiles. — That is, the Romans, for the Jews had not,

Acts 28:10 — χορηγιαν· a supplying them with all necessary things. Diodorus Siculus, and Xenophon, used the word in the same way. In the sense of a pecuniary recompense, or price, paid for any thing, the word τιμη is met with in 1 Corinthians 6:20; and 1 Corinthians 7:23. And in the Septuagint, Numbers 22:17; compared with Numbers 22:18; Psalms 8:5; and Psalms 49:12; Proverbs 3:9. Bp. Pearce.Such things as were necessary. — They had before given them many presents, and now they gave them a good sea stock; all

Acts 3:17 — Verse Acts 3:17. I wot — οιδα, I know. Wot is from the Anglo-Saxon, [A.S.] to know; and hence wit, science or understanding.Through ignorance ye did it — This is a very tender excuse for them; and one which seems to be necessary, in order to show them

Romans 11:23 — Verse 23. If they abide not in unbelief — So, we find that their rejection took place in consequence of their wilful obstinacy: and, that they may return into the fold, the door of which still stands open.For God is able to graft them in again. —

Romans 7:11 — disobedience, promising me gratification honour, independence, c., as it promised to Eve for to her history the apostle evidently alludes, and uses the very same expression, deceived me, εξηπατησε με. See the preceding note; and see the Septuagint, Genesis 3:13.And by it slew me.] Subjected me to that death which the law denounced against transgressors; and rendered me miserable during the course of life itself. It is well known to scholars that the verb αποκτεινειν signifies not only to slay or kill, but

1 Corinthians 15:28 — and eternal. And yet, as there appears to be a personality essentially in the infinite Godhead, that personality must exist eternally; but how this shall be we can neither tell nor know till that time comes in which we shall SEE HIM AS HE IS. 1 John 3:2.

1 Corinthians 3:12 — Verse 1 Corinthians 3:12. If any men build - gold, silver, c.] Without entering into curious criticisms relative to these different expressions, it may be quite enough for the purpose of edification to say, that, by gold, silver, and precious stones, the apostle certainly

1 Corinthians 3:6 — Verse 1 Corinthians 3:6. I have planted — I first sowed the seed of the Gospel at Corinth, and in the region of Achaia.Apollos watered — Apollos came after me, and, by his preachings and exhortations, watered the seed which I had sowed; but God gave the increase.

1 Corinthians 6:3 — Verse 1 Corinthians 6:3. Know ye not that we shall judge angels? — Dr. Lightfoot observes that "the apostle does not say here, as he said before, the saints shall judge the angels, but WE shall judge them. By angels, all confess that demons are intended; but certainly

1 Corinthians 7:3 — Verse 1 Corinthians 7:3. Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence — την οφειλομενην ευνοιαν. Though our version is no translation of the original, yet few persons are at a loss for the meaning, and the context is sufficiently plain. Some have rendered the

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 used by the false apostle in order to secure his party; he calumniated St. Paul, traduced the truth, preached false and licentious doctrines, and supported these with sophistical reasonings.But mighty

2 Corinthians 11:3 — Verse 2 Corinthians 11:3. As the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty — This is a strong reflection on the false apostle and his teaching: he was subtle, πανουργος and by his subtlety (πανουργια, from παν, all, and εργον, work; his versatility of character and conduct,

2 Corinthians 7:2 — any false doctrine or pernicious opinion.We have defrauded no man. — Of any part of his property. But what have your false teachers done? They have beguiled you from the simplicity of the truth, and thus corrupted your minds. 2 Corinthians 11:3. They have brought you into bondage; they have taken of you; devoured you; axalted themselves against you, and ye have patiently suffered all this. 2 Corinthians 11:20. It is plain that he refers here to the false apostle or teacher which they had among

Galatians 3:27 — they have 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

Galatians 4:4 — specified; and the time to which he intended the Mosaic institutions should extend, and beyond which they should be of no avail.God sent forth his Son — Him who came immediately from God himself, made of a woman, according to the promise, Genesis 3:15; produced by the power of God in the womb of the Virgin Mary without any intervention of man; hence he was called the Son of God. See Luke, Luke 1:35, and the note there.Made under the law — In subjection to it, that in him all its designs

Galatians 5:11 — Verse 11. If I yet preach circumcision — it is very likely that some of the false apostles, hearing of Paul's having circumcised Timothy, Acts 16:3, which must have been done about this time, reported him as being an advocate for circumcision, and by this means endeavoured to sanction their own doctrine. To this the apostle replies: Were it so, that I am a friend to this measure, is it likely that

Colossians 3:25 — Verse Colossians 3:25. But he that doeth wrong — It is possible for an unfaithful servant to wrong and defraud his master in a great variety of ways without being detected; but let all such remember what is here said: He that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong