Bible Commentaries

Genesis 17:17 — Abraham's weakness of faith or unbelief, when they have the most positive assurance from the Spirit of God himself that Abraham was not weak but strong in the faith; that he staggered not at the promise through unbelief, but gave glory to God, Romans 4:19-20. It is true the same word is used, Genesis 18:12, concerning Sarah, in whom it was certainly a sign of doubtfulness, though mixed with pleasure at the thought of the possibility of her becoming a mother; but we know how possible it is to express

Genesis 25:2 — of this person.Jokshan — Several learned men have been of opinion that this Jokshan was the same as Kachtan, the father of the Arabs. The testimonies in favour of this opinion see in Dr. Hunt's Oration, De Antiquitate, c., Linguae Arabicae, p. 4. Calmet supposes that the Cataneans, who inhabited a part of Arabia Deserta, sprang from this Jokshan.Medan, and Midian — Probably those who peopled that part of Arabia Petraea contiguous to the land of Moab eastward of the Dead Sea. St. Jerome

Genesis 37:4 — Verse Genesis 37:4. And could not speak peaceably unto him. — Does not this imply, in our use of the term, that they were continually quarrelling with him? but this is no meaning of the original: ולא יכלו דברו לשלם velo yachelu dabbero leshalom, they could not speak

Genesis 6:14 — Verse Genesis 6:14. Make thee an ark — תבת tebath, a word which is used only to express this vessel, and that in which Moses was preserved, Exodus 2:3; Exodus 2:5. It signifies no more than our word vessel in its common acceptation - a hollow place capable of containing

Psalms 103:1 — SALMO CIII Dios es alabado por sus beneficios a su pueblo , 1, 2; perdona sus iniquidades y sana sus dolencias , 3; redime sus vidas, las corona con bondad amorosa , 4; los sacia de bienes, les renueva la juventud , 5; ayuda a los oprimidos, da a conocer sus caminos, es misericordioso y clemente, y no guarda su ira para siempre , 6-9; su paciencia y misericordia perdonadora , 10-12; es un Padre tierno y considerado

Psalms 127:4 — Versículo Salmo 127:4 . Como flechas en la mano de un valiente. Cada hijo será, con el transcurso del tiempo, una defensa y apoyo para la familia, como flechas en la aljaba de un arquero diestro y fuerte; cuanto más tenga, más enemigos podrá matar y, en consecuencia, más

1 Corinthians 14:1 — should earnestly desire spiritual gifts; but prophesying is to be preferred, because it is superior to the gift of tongues, 1, 2. Prophesying defined, 3. How to regulate this supernatural gift of tongues, in teaching for the edification of the Church, 4-13. In praying and giving thanks, 14-17. Those who speak with tongues should interpret that others may be edified, 18-22 What benefit may accrue from this in the public assemblies, 23-28. How the prophets or teachers should act in the Church, 29-33.

2 Corinthians 11:20 — can substantiate.The expressions in this verse are some evidence that the false apostle was a Judaizing teacher. You suffer, says the apostle, if a man, καταδουλοι, bring you into bondage, probably meaning to the Jewish rites and ceremonies, Galatians 4:9; Galatians 5:1. If he devour you; as the Pharisees did the patrimony of the widows, and for a pretence made long prayers; if a man take of you, exact different contributions, pretendedly for the temple at Jerusalem, c. If he exalt himself, pretending

Ephesians 6:4 — Verse Ephesians 6:4. Fathers, provoke not your children to wrath — Avoid all severity; this will hurt your own souls, and do them no good; on the contrary, if punished with severity or cruelty, they will be only hardened and made desperate in their sins. Cruel parents

Philippians 3:1 — apostle exhorts the Philippians to rejoice in the Lord, 1. And to beware of false teachers, 2. Shows that Christians are the true circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, 3. And that himself had more reason to trust in the flesh than any of the Jews, 4-6. But that he counted all things loss for Christ, 7-11. He longs after a conformity to Christ in his death, and presses onward to the attainment of his high calling, 12-14. Exhorts them to be like-minded, 15-17. Warns them against certain persons who

Colossians 1:24 — Verse 24. Rejoice in my sufferings for you — St. Paul always considers his persecutions, as far as the Jews were concerned in them, as arising from this simple circumstance - his asserting that God had chosen the Gentiles, and called them to enjoy the

Colossians 3:1 — CHAPTER III. The apostle exhorts the Colossians to heavenly-mindedness after the example of Christ, that they may be prepared to appear with him in glory, 1-4. Exhorts them also to mortify their members, and calls to their remembrance their former state, 5-7. Shows how completely they were changed from that state, and gives them various directions relative to truth, compassion, meekness, long-suffering, forgiveness,

1 Thessalonians 1:4 — Verse 1 Thessalonians 1:4. Knowing - your election of God. — Being assured, from the doctrine which I have delivered to you, and which God has confirmed by various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, that he has chosen and called the Gentiles to the same privileges

1 Timothy 4:5 — Verse 1 Timothy 4:5. For it is sanctified by the word of God — δια λογου θεου. By the command of God; probably referring to Genesis 1:29: And God said, I have given you every herb-and every tree-to you it shall be for meat; and Genesis 9:3: Every moving thing that

2 Timothy 2:4 — Verse 2 Timothy 2:4. No man that warreth entangleth, &c.] It is well remarked by Grotius, on this passage, that the legionary soldiers among the Romans were not permitted to engage in husbandry, merchandise, mechanical employments, or any thing that might be inconsistent

Hebrews 5:6 — Verse Hebrews 5:6. He saith also in another place — That is, in Psalms 110:4, a psalm of extraordinary importance, containing a very striking prediction of the birth, preaching, suffering, death, and conquests of the Messiah. See the notes there. For the mode of quotation here, See the note on "Hebrews 2:6".Thou art a priest

James 3:10 — bad food, thou didst bring tongues? The servant answered, From the tongue both good and evil come to man: if it be good, there is nothing better; if bad, there is nothing worse."A saying very like that of St. James as found in Rabbi Tanchum, fol. 10, 4: "The mouth desires to study in the law, and to speak good words; to praise God, to glorify him, and to celebrate him with hymns: but it can also slander, blaspheme, reproach, and swear falsely." See Schoettgen.To find a man who officiates in sacred

Revelation 16:1 — out his vial on the earth, by which a grievous sore is produced, 2. The second angel pours out his trial on the sea, and it is turned into blood, 3. The third angel pours out his vial on the rivers and fountains, and they are turned also into blood, 4-7. The fourth angel pours out his vial on the sun, and men are scorched with fire, 8, 9. The fifth angel pours out his vial on the throne of the beast, 10, 11. The sixth angel pours out his vial on the river Euphrates, 12. Three unclean spirits come

Revelation 20:1 — CHAPTER XX. An angel binds Satan a thousand years, and shuts him up in the bottomless pit, 1-3. They who were beheaded for the testimony of Jesus, who have part in the first resurrection, and shall reign with Christ a thousand years, 4-6. When the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, shall go forth and deceive the nations, and shall gather Gog and Magog from the four corners of the earth, 7, 8. These shall besiege the holy city; but fire shall come

Revelation 4:7 — Verse Revelation 4:7. The first beast was like a lion — It is supposed that there is a reference here to the four standards or ensigns of the four divisions of the tribes in the Israelitish camp, as they are described by Jewish writers.The first living creature